The Indigenous Women's Network hosts a Youth Arts and Culture Leadership program each year for local Indigenous youth. The program runs from September to August of each year and has been in operation for 14 years. The program does outreach though various community events that are aimed at Indigenous families and youth throughout the year and to schools in Austin with high Indigenous populations. The program also provides youth focused events at Alma De Mujer through weekend retreats, day visits and a four to eight week summer arts camp.

Mission

To integrate indigenous cultural arts into the community through the usage of professional indigenous artists instructing.

Program Activities

• Young women’s retreats where youth learn about organic gardening, Indigenous medicines, creating sustainable communities, self expression through art and any topic of concern that the youth wish to discuss. Most of all they learn about who they are as Indigenous women and what their role is in their own life. Through their involvement in the program they develop confidence in fulfilling that role.

• Summer Arts camp focusing on the expression of self through indigenous art forms as presented by Indigenous artists who focus on the importance of culture and traditions in their art. Participants develop competency in production of visual arts, story telling, writing, crafts, music, singing and dancing. They display their artworks and writings as well as take part in a performance at the end of each camp cycle which is three to four weeks in length.

Snacks and meals are provided free of charge to groups based on the teaching of using organic produce from the garden as a base for producing a healthy and tasty meal. Transportation to and from summer camp activities is also provided.

Youth programs are funded in part by the City of Austin.