b'A Word from the Office of Juvenile Justice andDelinquency Prevention The 2022 OJJDP Tribal Youth NationalConference was a significant event, as the first "OJJDP does not and will not take a one-in-person, OJJDP-sponsored gathering since size-fits-all approach to our Tribal workthe fall of 2019. Prior to the pandemic and and programs. We will rely on your insightsrelated restrictions, OJJDP Tribal grantees, staff to ensure that the services we fundand training and technical assistance providers incorporate, honor, and celebrategathered regularly to share knowledge, build Indigenous values while meeting Tribalrelationships and support Tribal efforts to needs.prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency andstrengthen a fair and beneficial juvenile justice -OJJDP Administrator Elizabeth Ryansystem response for American Indian andAlaska Native youth. In San Diego this year,many people were heard exclaiming how incarceration, a session highlighting Tribalwonderful it was to be together again. best practices for supporting young peoplewho are healing from trauma, and jointThis years conference was also significant in networking and social events.that, for the first time, the event centered adynamic group of young people, the Tribal OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan offered openingYouth Resource center (TYRC) Youth remarks at the Tribal Youth NationalAmbassadors, who served in key roles as Conference, stating that OJJDP does not andadvisors, organizers, presenters and panelists. will not take a one-size-fits-all approach toEqually exciting was the conferences co- our Tribal work and programs. We will rely onlocation with another of OJJDPs most your insights to ensure that the services weimportant conferences, the State and Tribal fund incorporate, honor, and celebrateRelations Assistance Division National Training Indigenous values while meeting Tribal needs. Conference.Administrator Ryan also underscored theimportance of Tribal representation on stateThe shared location was part of OJJDPs effort advisory groups. OJJDP believes that a Tribalto encourage greater collaboration between presence on [state advisory groups] is vital tostate officials and Tribal communities on keeping Native youth safe, she said."I willstrategies to keep Native youth out of the continue our efforts to strengthenjuvenile justice system.Some sessions were relationships between states, Tribes, anddeveloped for both audiences, including a Native communities to ensure that Nativepanel discussion on ways Tribes and states can voices are heard, recognized, andcollaborate to provide alternatives to youth empowered. 1'