Collaboration as a Catalyst for Change: Reducing Commercial Tobacco Use Among American Indian Youth Through Dedication to Community, Youth-Led Interventions, and Tradition

Abstract

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth have the highest commercial tobacco smoking rate of any group in the United States. Unified by the aim to reduce AI/AN youth commercial tobacco use, six separately funded tobacco prevention programs serving Southern California tribes formed the Southern California Tribal Tobacco Coalition (SCTTC). Since joining forces, the SCTTC has hosted various activities and events that encourage community involvement, youth leadership, and commitment to tradition. The SCTTC’s pinnacle event, the annual Inter-Tribal Tobacco Prevention Youth Summit, is an inspiring example of the organization’s collaborative efforts, as it features youth- and elder-led activities and presentations by local tribal members. These community events have grown in participation from year to year and are widely supported by the surrounding AI/AN communities. This paper includes narratives from several coalition members, including youth activity organizers, that showcase the power of collaboration through the SCTTC’s partnership and its success to date. The purpose of this paper is to share the SCTTC’s positive impact in Southern California tribes and encourage similar programs across the nation to amplify their program impacts by forming a coalition of their own and embracing youth-led interventions.