Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country

A Boys & Girls Club can be found at the most eastern point in Maine, in the Great Plains, the Hawaiian Homelands and many Alaskan Villages. But our work is far from over. Read on to find out which tribes and communities are joining the movement.

With funding support from the
Gila River Tribe, the Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley - Komatke Unit opened a new 26,000 square-foot building and outdoor athletic facility on December 17, 2009. Four hundred people attended the Grand Opening ceremony. The Arizona Cardinals donated a Ken Whisenhunt autographed jersey and Big Red, the mascot, made an appearance. The Arizona Diamondbacks presented the Club with a jersey autographed by several players.

The keynote speaker was Lincoln Kennedy, a former NFL football player and Club member who now sits on the Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley Corporate Board of Directors. Komatke Youth of the Year, Marysa, emceed the event. Following the ceremony guests enjoyed a cookout and tour of the new facility. The Komatke Unit of the Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley has been serving the Gila River Indian Community since 1998.

Third Native Club Opens in California

The Boys & Girls Club of the Pomo Nation is the first official Boys & Girls Club in Lake County and one of three Native American Clubs in the state of California. “During after school hours in America, approximately 15 million children are at home with no adult care or supervision,” said Matthew Barnes, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pomo Nation. “Participation and support from our community is critical to ensuring that every child we serve has a safe place to go after school, offering educational opportunities, caring adults and character-building experiences.” The Club hosted its Grand Opening celebration on July 28, 2008. Approximately 40 members of the community attended including the Board of Directors. Robinson Rancheria Tribal Administrator, Raymond Brown opened the ceremony with a prayer and presented the Boys & Girls Clubs of America charter plaque to Mr. Barnes to be hung in the Clubhouse. Program Director Shee-Yay Duncan emceed the event and led the traditional Shake Head dancing. Other activities included water slides, volleyball, and a barbeque. Boys & Girls Club of the Pomo Nation plans to supplement its ongoing cultural, art, music, and athletic programs with Power Hour, SMART Girls and Passport to Manhood.

The Red Lake Nation Boys & Girls Club opened in the fall of 2001. For seven years the Club was based out of the former stage area of the local middle school, utilizing this one room for their office, program and storage space. In May 2006 ground was broken for a new facility that the Club could call its own. On June 5, 2008 the building vision had become a reality, and the Club held a Grand Opening celebration to commemorate the new facility and recognize those who helped make it possible. Read More

The Wiyot Tribe in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods celebrated the grand opening of the Boys & Girls Club of Wiyot Country at Table Bluff Reservation on Wednesday, March 26th. Though Boys & Girls Clubs are common on reservations elsewhere in the country, this new Club is one of only two Native American Boys & Girls Clubs in California. Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country provide a positive place to inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens by celebrating their culture and community, enjoying healthy fun with their peers, and learning new skills and self-confidence under the guidance of responsible adults.

The ceremony began with a short presentation by Chief Professional Officer Jeff Jacobs. This was followed by the presentation of a plaque recognizing the Club as a new unit by Alan Anspach the Regional Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The plaque was presented to Wiyot Tribe Social Service Director Michelle Vassel. Many prominent community members attended the event including representatives of the Redwood Capital Bank, the Loleta Chamber of Commerce Humboldt County Library, United Way, Two Feathers Native American Family Services, Center for Indian Community Development, California Tribal TANF Partnership, Wiyot tribal council and staff, and Boys & Girls Club directors from throughout the county. More than 100 children attended the event each of which received a Boys & Girls Club of Wiyot Country tee-shirt.

On June 1st the Hualapai Indian Tribe celebrated the dedication and grand opening of the 6,000 sq. ft. Boys & Girls Club of Peach Springs. The ceremony included performances by the Hualapai Elderly Dancers, Hualapai Youth Gourd Singers, and the Hualapai Youth Dance Group. Following the ribbon cutting, Club tours were provided and the Club hosted a community cookout. More than 200 children, parents, community members and tribal leaders were in attendance and 93 children registered as Club members on opening day!

The Boys & Girls Club of Peach Springs will serve 250 children and 100 teens attending the two schools on the reservation. The Club is the only after school program available and will provide members direct access to educational enrichment and technology education which was previously non existent. The Hualapai Tribe will subsidize the Club’s operational expenses and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale will act as the Organizing Club for the Peach Springs Branch for the next three years in order to help manage and mentor the facility and staff.

White Mountain Apache Opens Club in Arizona

The Boys & Girls Club of the White Mountain Apache Tribe held a Grand Opening event on April 12, 2006. Approximately 500 people were in attendance. The event included entertainment, food, door prizes, and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Jane Deal, Regional Service Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of America addressed the crowd. Other speakers included Brian Yazzie of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Rochelle Lacapa, Advisory Board President, and local Boys & Girls Club administrative staff. Door prizes included iPods, bikes, skateboards, backpacks, and safety gear. Plaques were given to individuals and organizations that helped the Club open its doors.

The Club currently has 250 enrolled members and serves approximately 135 youth each day. This summer they will offer SMART Moves, Crest Cavity-Free Zone, diabetes prevention, and field trips, among other Club activities.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Lumbee Tribe in Pembroke, NC held the Grand Opening of their second Club unit on March 1, 2006. About 40 people attended the celebration at the District 11 Boys & Girls Club, including local politicians, school principal, tribal chairman and tribal administrator. Junior Miss Lumbee sang for the crowd and KidsvilleNews magazine sponsored singing and dancing. Refreshments were also served.

The District 11 Club has enrolled 60 Club members in its first month of operation. They expect to serve 200 community members. Activities include Power Hour, sports and recreation, arts and crafts, singing and tribal dancing.