Reconnecting The Circle

Description

RTC was founded by Danielle Gaines and several leaders of Indian Country to encourage youth to share and learn from their experiences, to prevent suicide amongst Native American youth, to develop identity education as encouragement for young people in Indian Country, and to provide accurate information on both historical, as well as contemporary Native American topics.

RTC launched in the Fall of 2006 with a National High School Essay Contest. Ten students (5 Native American and 5 non-Native) were awarded $2,500 each. The contest is an annual program open to all legal residents of the United States in grades 9-12, who are currently enrolled full-time and in good standing in a tribal, BIA, public or state-accredited private or parochial school. Since 2006, the contest has been approved by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' Contests and Student Activities.