Youth Group(s) / Warrior and Princess Program Policies
Adopted at a joint meeting of the New Dawn Youth Council, Acorn Leadership,
Cultural Retention Committee, and Tribal Council Representatives
On March 18, 2006
Revised on September 16, 2006 by the Youth Committee
Approved by the Tribal Council on October 2, 2006
Ages for the Acorns and New Dawn:
1) The Acorns will range in age from 5-12, with 2 subgroups from 5-8 and 9-12.
2) New Dawn will range in age from 13-18
3) At the discretion of the Tribal Council, youth age 19-21 may serve as mentors if they had previously been part of New Dawn
Princess and Warrior Program:
1) Must have been an enrolled tribal citizen for at least one year prior to candidacy
2) Must have been active in New Dawn for at least one year, from May 1 of the previous program year, (and aged 13-18) verified by the New Dawn Youth Council
3) Must currently be a New Dawn Member in Good Standing, having attended no less that half of the meetings, between May 1 of the previous program year and April 30 of the current year, verified by the New Dawn Youth Council
4) Must have completed a minimum of 20 volunteer hours (working for and/or representing the Tribe) and 30 participation hours (attending Tribal events) between May 1 of the previous program year and April 30 of the current year, with such hours verified and documented by a tribal member
5) Must have 3 letters of recommendation highlighting the candidate’s character and ability to represent the Tribe as Princess or Warrior
6) Must have a letter of commitment from their parent(s) or guardians who are members of the tribe, indicating the parent’s understanding of the Warrior / Princess duties during their reign and agreement to help support their child in meeting these duties, if selected
7) Must pass a tribal history exam, including essay to be completed at the tribal center under the supervision of approved adult tribal members (questions to be based on handouts to be provided at New Dawn meetings)
8) Must complete a traditional Native American craft and be prepared to discuss it
9) Must present an oral presentation on a topic assigned/approved by the Youth Committee
10) Must submit a resume / bio / port folio giving evidence of personal achievements
11) Must be interviewed by a panel of tribal elders
Selection Process… Only those meeting the qualifications will be eligible to be candidates for Tribal Princess or Tribal Warrior. A list of qualified candidates will be provided to the panel of elders by the New Dawn Youth Council. The selection of a Princess and Warrior will be done by a panel of tribal elders from among the qualified candidates, who are encouraged to dress as they would if giving a presentation on their culture.
1) Must have been an enrolled tribal citizen for at least one year prior to candidacy
2) Must have been active in the Acorns for at least one year, from May 1 of the previous program year, (and aged 9-12) to be verified by Acorn Coordinators
3) Must currently be an Acorn Member in Good Standing, having attended no less than half of the meetings, between May 1 of the previous program year and April 30 of the current year, to be verified by Acorn Coordinators
4) Must have completed a minimum of 15 volunteer hours (working for and/or representing the Tribe) and 15 participation hours (attending Tribal events) between May 1 of the previous program year and April 30 of the current year, with such hours verified and documented by a tribal member
5) Must have a letter of commitment from their parent(s) or guardians who are members of the tribe, indicating the parent’s understanding of the Jr. Warrior / Jr. Princess duties during their reign and agreement to help support their child in meeting these duties, if selected
6) Must pass a tribal history exam including essay to be completed at the tribal center under the supervision of approved adult tribal members (based on handouts to be provided at Acorn meetings)
7) Must complete a traditional Native American craft and be prepared to discuss it
8) Must present an oral presentation on a topic assigned/approved by the Youth Committee
9) Must submit a resume / bio / port folio giving evidence of personal achievements
10) Must be interviewed by a panel of tribal elders
Selection Process… Only those meeting the qualifications will be eligible to be candidates for Tribal Jr. Princess or Tribal Jr. Warrior. A list of qualified candidates will be provided to the panel of elders by the Acorn coordinators. The selection of a Jr. Princess and Jr. Warrior will be done by a panel of tribal elders from among the qualified candidates. Candidates are encouraged to dress as they would if giving a presentation on their culture.
1) Must have been an enrolled tribal citizen for at least one year prior to candidacy
2) Must have been active in the Acorns for at least one year, from May 1 of the previous program year, (and aged 5-8) to be verified by Acorn Coordinators
3) Must currently be an Acorn Member in Good Standing, having attended no less than half of the meetings, between May 1 of the previous program year and April 30 of the current year, to be verified by Acorn Coordinators
4) Must have completed a minimum of 10 volunteer hours (working for and/or representing the Tribe) and 10 participation hours (attending Tribal events) between May 1 of the previous program year and April 30 of the current year, with such hours verified and documented by a tribal member
5) Must have a letter of commitment from their parent(s) or guardians who are members of the tribe, indicating the parent’s understanding of the Little Warrior / Little Princess duties during their reign and agreement to help support their child in meeting these duties, if selected
6) Must pass a tribal history exam to be completed at the tribal center under the supervision of approved adult tribal members (based on handouts to be provided at Acorn meetings)
7) Must complete a traditional Native American craft and be prepared to discuss it
8) Must present an oral presentation on a topic assigned/approved by the Youth Committee
9) Must submit a resume / bio / port folio giving evidence of personal achievements
10) Must be interviewed by a panel of tribal elders
Selection Process… Only those meeting the qualifications will be eligible to be candidates for Little Princess and Little Warrior. A list of qualified candidates will be provided to the panel of elders by the Acorn coordinators. The selection of Little Princesses and Little Warriors will be done by a panel of tribal elders from among the qualified candidates. Candidates are encouraged to dress as they would if giving a presentation on their culture. In this category, the elders may select as many Little Princesses and Little Warriors as they deem have met the qualifications.
1. Once selected, a Warrior or Princess / Jr. Warrior or Jr. Princess may not run again for the position, but will reign through their year and until new qualified candidates are eligible, providing that they continue to meet the qualifications themselves. Also, if there are qualified candidates in the year following the selection of the current reigning Warrior or Princess / Jr. Warrior or Jr. Princess, a new Warrior and Princess / Jr. Warrior and Jr. Princess must be selected.
2. The selection decisions of the panel of tribal elders are final. Any questions regarding the decisions must be submitted to the panel of tribal elders in writing within seven days of the announcement of the decisions and a hearing may be granted within thirty days.
3. The reigning Warrior or Princess / Jr. Warrior or Jr. Princess / Little Warriors or Little Princesses are accountable to the tribal council and tribal elders and may be suspended or have their title removed (along with the privilege of wearing the symbol of their position… such as a crown, medicine bag, etc…) for unbecoming behavior or a lack of participation in tribal and youth group activities.
4. Warriors or Princesses / Jr. Warriors or Jr. Princesses whose reign has ended, remain accountable to the tribal council and tribal elders in regard to the privilege of wearing of the symbol of their status. This privilege may be suspended for unbecoming behavior.