Midway between an ancient culture steeped with generations of revered traditions, spiritual ceremonies, legends and mystical stories, and the society of today built with technology and strong/differing political and religious beliefs, stands our Native American teenager. Torn between the elders of the family and the tribal commitments to the past and the pressure of peers in the world outside his or her family the teenager is at a crossroads studded with roadblocks. Confusion, resentment and anger often accompany the youth to this point.

Many young people break through these roadblocks and go on to become well adjusted adults, learning how to bring an acceptable and pleasing balance into their lives, but some do not. As with any teenager, these youth have a struggle to overcome and many stumbling blocks to hurdle. However, for the Native American teenager, these struggles seem to be far more difficult because of the spiritual aspect connected so strongly to their upbringing.

It is extremely difficult in some cases for the parent to impart to the child how to balance the traditions of the past that have been passed down for generations and how to survive in America's current society. These are clearly two different worlds. This is a poignant and all too familiar predicament for the family to learn how to cope with. To try to impart in your child the ceremonial and traditional ways of observing certain historical dates, events and celebrations is not an easy task when this child is also involved in different observances and requirements instilled by the curriculum of the public schools and churches.

In the school, the student is expected to learn and sometimes submit reports or essays about a holiday or history that completely differs from what he or she has learned at home through the tribal beliefs. To tell your child that this is ok to do what has to be done in school in order to graduate is often confusing and maybe even disturbing when this youth has been taught from elders of their own culture a different way. To balance these two beliefs leaves the teenager with a struggle between what is right and wrong to their own way of thinking.

Sometimes, rather than to battle out the choice between two different thought processes, it is much easier for the teenager to ease away from the problems by turning to other outlets and avoid the struggle. These "other outlets" may be detrimental to the health, safety and mental attitude of the youth and drastically inhibit their ability to cope with the world they now find themselves in. Drugs, drug pushers, violence, petty theft and other gang related issues are sometimes a place where the teenager can find a place away from the "problems" in life. Rather than to try and choose between the traditional Native American way of life, the life that society promotes or to find a peaceful balance, the teenager turns elsewhere where he or she thinks they will be accepted. Suicide rates are high for those who simply cannot cope with any of these options.

Not all is hopeless for the Native American teenagers and their families. There is help out there for those families who need it and it is our duty and obligation to see that they get it. To hear these calls for help, to recognize them and to do something about it can be a life rewarding gift. Take the time to see what you can do for the youth of these proud peoples.

Native Americans comprise a large portion of the total population in the United States. Many Native Americans are successful and professional people who are willing and able to offer help and insight to those who need it, there are also non-Native Americans who understand and want to offer help. It is crucial for the teenagers to be able to receive the help they need in order to survive and grow past the struggles they are facing on a daily basis. To have a mentor, someone outside the family and the schools, is one way to receive insight and understanding of today's way of life.

To see a Native American teenager become lost to both worlds is a heart rendering sadness that is unneccessary but avoidable. To see the same teenager survive and become a strong adult able to teach his or her own children to find peace and balance is a joy beyond compare and contributes greatly to the world. To be able to weave together the old traditional way of life, to uphold and honor their ancestors by carrying on the generations of practices and to survive in the society at large are two elements of balance the teenager needs and are essential to a Native American teenagers' mental and spiritual development.

A really good movie about a teenage boy and his Grandfather is one titled Dreamkeeper. It is about a resentful young man who learns the old ways and how to respect his ancestors from the wisdom of his Grandfather. I recommend it to any Native American who has a teenager and also to any teenager.

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