b'Carving & Conversation with Anthony Gastelum,Tribal Youth Program, Kake,Alaska Conference Reflections Anthony Gastelum, Tribal Youth ProgramCoordinator at the Organized Village of Kake inAlaska, had a unique, additional motivation forpresenting at and attending the 2022 OJJDP TribalYouth National Conference: returning to hisbirthplace. That was actually the second time thatIve traveled in four years, Anthony shared in aconversation post-Conference, reflecting on the provided an opening for further discussionimpact of the in-person experience at the around building upon effective service forConference after COVID-19 travel restrictions and Alaska-Native youth. safety concerns interrupted so many travel planssince 2019. Anthony shared a deep sense of Beyond the success of the specific panel,gratitude for his ability to be part of the learning Anthony reflected on the joy he experienced inthat took place in person for the first time since pre- getting to spend time with colleagues andpandemic. [It was] a really good Conferencemy friends, and shared that, for him, one of thehat goes off to the Resource Basket that went way most impactful aspect of the event wasbeyond the call of duty for grantees, especially here hearing from the youth presenters. Listening toin Kake, to make us feel as comfortable as possible, the stories and seeing the youth there[was] aAnthony stated.really big deal, he said, reflecting on theimpact that youth leadership can have onAt the Conference, Anthony spoke as part of an inspiring and affirming other youth who areAlaska Villages/Community Panel, alongside interested in becoming more deeply involved inrepresentatives the Resource Basket, OJJDP, Hoonah their own communities. Hearing from youth whoIndian Association, Tetlin, and Kawerak, Alaska Tribal are sharing their voices and ideas with theirYouth Programs. The group spoke to both OJJDP respective communities gives other youth thepriorities and Alaska Native-specific considerations green light to be who they want to be andwith regards to advancing their common goal: makes them comfortable, he continued.improving health and wellness for Alaska Native Anthony then began to share about the youthyouth and communities. Panel participants offered that he has the opportunity to work with in thestories and suggestions for programming, answered Village of Kake, whom he described asquestions regarding challenges they face, and outstanding. 19'