This study assesses a new curriculum that will be available to students in the ninth grade. The lessons will include traditional storytelling and other Native American cultural arts activities (i.e., drum making, film making, field trips), as well as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) activities. This study also assesses how well the curriculum explains leadership skills, Native American cultural arts, the natural environment, and promotes healthy decision-making around health and relationships.~Participants are randomly assigned to a health class that starts the curriculum in the fall or to a health class that will start the curriculum in the winter. Participants will:~Week 1. Take a 30-40 minute online survey about healthy relationships, drug use, youth leadership skills and connecting with Native communities.~Weeks 1-3. Meet with a counselor up to two times to set goals around health, healthy relationships and how to reduce or avoid alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use.~Weeks 1 - 8 (months 1-2). As part of the health class, attend about 16 health sessions on healthy behaviors and health promotion. Learn new skills around youth leadership, storytelling, and traditional health practices. The sessions will highlight connecting to tribal traditions.~Month 3. Take an online check-in survey via a link sent to participants' email address.~Month 6. Take an online check-in survey via a link sent to participants' email address.~Month 12. Take an online check-in survey via a link sent to participants' email address.~Optional after school activities Week 9-16 (months 3-4). Attend a once-a-month activity to help build leadership skills. Activities are between 1-2 hours after school and include drum making, film making, creating a storytelling vest that incorporates cultural symbols, and up to two outdoor field trips. The field trips are to places of cultural significance near the school and involve a 30-45 minute hike.~Week 16 (month 4). Meet with the study counselor for a session to revise goals for health and community leadership.~Week 9-24 (months 3 - 6). Attend a 2-hour digital storytelling training and three-monthly planning sessions to prepare for an optional digital storytelling leadership night. The story can be about what has been learned about health promotion, traditional health practices, and to celebrate participants' health leadership journey.~Week 25 (month 6). Attend the leadership night and present digital stories.
The investigators will conduct a waitlist control trial to test the efficacy of the Journey of Transformation-Native Youth Health Leadership Program (JOT) in terms of delaying or reducing tobacco and other substance use and improving sexual health.