Juvenile Justice Journal, Volume VII, Number 2 From the Administrator any American Indian youth and their families face risk factors for delinquency, including multigenerational problems of alcoholism, depression, and gang involvement. This may account, in part, for the fact that tribal youth are disproportionately represented in juvenile arrest data. For example, while American Indian youth make up just 1 percent of the U.S. population ages 10 to 17, they constitute 2 to 3 percent of juveniles arrested for such offenses as larceny-theft and liquor law violations. For American Indian youth, Senator Campbell adds, developing character also means having pride in the traditions and contributions of their people. The program is a crucial part of the Indian Country Law Enforcement Initiative, inaugurated by the U.S. Departments of Justice and the Interior that same year.
Culture has an important role to play in preventing delinquency among American Indian youth.
Working together, we can advance justice for all Americans, including the first Americans.