Service and Sustainability;
24 plus years Giving our Best.
With life changing programs like:
Young Native Scholars, InterTribal Youth, . . . Native Like Water !
Native Like Water Fellowship Program in Catalina (pimu) Island with Reef Check Scuba certification to monitor the worlds reef health
Our Aim/Mission: Native Like Water (NLW) prepares and reintegrates teens and young adults into ocean recreation, conservation, wellness, and inter-generational cultural self exploration. Program focuses on an indigenous sacred relationship to water. NLW works in a directional shift, going from just surviving to thriving. NLW creates scholarship and support for an endangered Native American population in California, Mexico and internationally.
Native Like Water has also opened programing to a greater public, curating cultural experiences through an Indigenous lens with a focus on cultural conservation and natural habitats. Adventure travel, surf, food, education, music as medicine for mental health. Over 24 years serving local communities. See a variety of coastal programs open to the public.
As a grassroots organization that continues to develop organically, we attract participation and support from like-minded individuals and world-class educational cultural partners who stand committed to enriching lives. The program flows with a holistic approach in re-affirming the connection with the ocean, the waterways, coastal culture, and relationship with self. Within colonized spaces, generations of disconnectivity from the coast exists. Native Like Water's scholarship focus brings communities back to the ocean with the aim of taking our existence beyond pain, struggle, and trauma.
Our work supports youth programs from various tribes across the americas who gather in California and various locations to learn and share with each other. one of the most unique programs in Indian country.
Our Story NLW was founded 24 plus years ago in San Diego, CA and began with our flagship youth programs and has grown to be an international program with travel and wellness programs in Mexico, Panama, Hawai’i and Jamaica.
NLW began in 2000 with Young Native Scholars (YNS) development and implementation of academic, wellness, and cultural programs for Native American, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians. In 2005, YNS evolved into InterTribal Youth (ITY) which bring youth from various nations together during residential academic enrichment programs. Traditional Ecological Knowledge, sciences, health, culture in a university-community setting.
"Native Like Water" initiative was launched to focus on and practice with our sacred relationship to water. Native Like Water Programs work towards solutions and sustainability of our life force. The nature of the organization is grassroots and continues to develop organically. Native Like Water attracts participation and support from like-minded individuals and various educational partners who stand committed to enriching the lives of teenage youth and young adults. Over the years, InterTribal Youth and Native Like Water has been recognized throughout California and became highly acclaimed programs nationally and internationally.
With our humble headquarters in Imperial Beach, California, Native Like Water’s sustainability has been due to a colorful mosaic of supporters, volunteers and a collaborative service model.
NLW Community works model is developed to understand the community-university-school relationship within an inspiring environment. Together we address identity as leaders of the Human Family. With the help of the nation's best mentors, instructors and universities, Native Like Water has exponentially increased the number of programs since 2000.
ITY Presentation of "Facebook Indians" at National UNITY YOuth Conference with ITY Alum, Interns, and actress Qorianka
Participants are provided the opportunity to think, perform and interact on local, national, and international grounds. Over the past years, 4-5 distinct mini-generations, hundreds of Intertribal Youth answered the challenge, accepting the discipline, and joining together to "indigenize education."
Families and youth across nations and borders have experienced positive life-changing benefits. Many youth are now adults and occupy tribal leadership positions, contributing positively as parents and obtained advanced degrees.
NLW’s flagship So Cal Summer Program and international exchanges can be the most important experience in a persons life. This statement is based on a wide sample of alumni from the past 23 years. For example, see below what "28 days with InterTribalYouth.org" looks like. This is the "you" in youth.
INtergenerational Knowledge is welcome and shared in all programs. For the young and young at heart.
Below Videos of "Old School" LOL. Historic flashback, including San Diego morning news program review of our Young Native Scholars, InterTribal Youth program in 2005. Gives a good idea of our long standing commitment to wellness and culture. It was 6 am, so the youth have a little morning grump.
The most positive images of Tribal Youth on Youtube! Summer can be the most important experience of a young person? See what "28 days with InterTribalYouth.org" is all about and experience life to the fullest. Register www.InterTribalYouth.org. This is the "you" in youth.
"Old School" LOL. Historic flashback, San Diego morning news program review of our Young Native Scholars, InterTribal Youth program in 2005. Gives a good idea of the topics we cover in wellness and culture. It was 6 am so the youth have a little morning grump.
Shuuluk Leo-Retz from the Viejas Rez, on his ancestral Kumeyaay coast, commonly known as Blacks Beach, La Jolla, San Diego
