<p>Native American Adolescents between 15 and 24 years of age have the highest rate of suicide compared to their other race peers in the same age group. Recent statistics provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that in 2011, Native American males between ages 15 and 24 had a suicide rate of 22.8 per 100,000, as compared to white males, 14.3 per 100,000, and black males, 6.3 per 100,000 of the same age (CDC, 2014). Native American females had a rate of 8.0 per 100,000 deaths compared to 3.8 per 100,000 for white females and 2.0 per 100,000 for black females respectively (CDC, 2014). </p><p> A collection of factors such as prolonged generational trauma, substance abuse, untreated mental illness and depression leads to high suicide rates in Native Americans. Using Durkheim&rsquo;s work on suicide as a framework, this study utilizes the National Youth Risk Surveillance Survey (YRBSS) to examine the way in which trauma, depression, substance use, and mental health issues impact the high Native American adolescents&rsquo; suicide rate. An in depth analysis of each factor is provided as well as a discussion of the findings. The dissertation also offers conclusions and social work implications of the study. </p>

<p> The purpose of this arts-based, and Indigenous research study was to explore how Native Americans understand &lsquo;place-based imagery&rsquo; through an Indigenous art making and storytelling experience in order to illuminate perspectives and experiences of a &lsquo;sense of place&rsquo;. Storywork, an Indigenous research method directed the culturally grounded research project. The Native American moccasin was the symbolic cultural catalyst used to create a multimedia art piece to express and reflect traditional cultural knowledge rooted within this symbol. Native Americans representing five federally recognized tribes participated in the study. As a result of a pilot study, a definition of place-based imagery was developed. Place-based imagery is making or creating meaning of symbols, shapes, colors and designs, related to P-People, L-Land, A-Ancestry, C-Culture, E-Experiences that may foster, awaken and/or deepen one&rsquo;s connection and understanding of self and a sense of place. </p><p> The research findings were examined and derived using an Indigenous paradigm. A culturally based understanding of a &lsquo;sense of place&rsquo; was developed from the stories and imagery. Perspectives relating to unwavering support, interconnection of culture and land, intergenerational knowledge transfer, deepened cultural knowledge, balance, and an understanding of a felt sense of place, emerged as a result of the moccasin making and storytelling experience. Secondly, an approach was developed using &lsquo;response art&rsquo; as a technique that may be used to mitigate secondary trauma. The study showed that Expressive Arts is an effective intervention used with Native Americans to inspire strength based cultural stories and images that encouraged self-understanding. </p><p>

<p> The purpose of this thesis is to provide a policy analysis of the Violence Against Women's Reauthorization Act of 2013. Specific emphasis was placed on the prevalence of sexual violence within AI/AN communities and how the legislative act provides protection for people experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, or the violation of protective orders. Specifically, this thesis used David Gil's analytic framework to evaluate the policy; its strengths and limitations, and its impact on tribal sovereignty and tribal criminal jurisdiction. The analysis shows that while VAWA 2013 has worked to restore tribal sovereignty and prevent the act of domestic violence within tribal nations, it has not gone far enough in addressing sexual violence amongst AI/AN women. As a result of discussing these issues, the project demonstrates the importance of addressing the human rights of AI/AN women living on tribal land. Implications for social work are discussed.</p><p>