American Indian Movement Arizona Chapter

Youth Council

The Youth Council was started to give Indian Youth an alternative to gangs and drugs. It allows the youth to have a voice in Indian issues and to help shape their futures and that of other Indian children and young adults.

While they do many different projects, their main issue is the banning of the term "squaw". They started this project several years ago and have made quite a bit of progress. They have educated many people on why the term is considered degrading and an insult to Indian women. With so many states now banning this word, they feel that Arizona will soon follow the lead of these progressive states.

Members of the AIMAZ Youth Council speak at schools, churches, clubs and other organizations in order to help educate people on Indian issues. This is a unique opportunity for the Indian Youth of Arizona to voice their opinions on how to solve such issues as gang violence, teenage pregnancy, drugs, alcohol and a host of other things that plague many of our kids. Adults have been trying for years to educate kids on these issues--perhaps now it is time to let the children lead and teach themselves how to avoid these pitfalls and how to become proud Indian men and women.

The Youth Council can be reached here.