When the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board took on the work of delivering health care through Self-Governance, Tribal leaders, families, and young people named behavioral health as the most pressing community need. The Oyate Health Center responded by placing behavioral health specialists directly in the clinic and building Connecting With Our Youth, a relative-centered mentorship program that brings young people back to the traditional teachings and ceremonies that have always guided Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota communities. 

This story shares what it looks like when care is built around young people as relatives, not as patients. Following a participant whose path through the program has included four years of sobriety, college plans, and a deepening practice with the people and places that shape them. As program leadership describes the work in one phrase: You Don’t Walk Alone. Featuring Oyate Health Center leadership and Connecting With Our Youth program participants and mentors.

This story discusses substance use and includes a young person’s account of past struggles, including a suicide attempt. Please take care while watching. If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text.

Companion story: “Oyate Health Center: From IHS to 638” shares the founding of this clinic and the Great Plains Tribes’ broader health care transformation. For Our People: Stories of Tribal Self-Governance & Sovereignty shares stories of Tribal Nations building healthier, more vibrant communities through Self-Governance authority.