This study gained verbal consent from participants (upon recommendation of cultural liaisons and tribal personnel) after IRB approval was obtained from the first author’s university, along with tribal council approvals from each tribe for study activities. To enable an understanding of distinct aspects as well as universal themes across AI/AN populations, two tribes were included in this research process: one tribe is federally recognized and the other is not. Tribal recognition may substantially affect opportunities, needs, resources, outcomes, and community infrastructure. For the protection of community identities, the names of these tribes are kept confidential. Both tribes are located in the Southeastern United States and have enrolled tribal populations of over 10,000 members.
Tribe A is a federally recognized tribe inland from the Gulf of Mexico. It is characterized by economic development, with tribal schools, health care services, as well as law enforcement, emergency and land management, and social services facilities. Tribe B is a state recognized tribe located in proximity to water and the Gulf Coast. Tribe B has more constrained economic resources and tribal infrastructure for its members. Tribe B offers employment, educational, and other individual programs for youth and tribal members. As indicated by the ethnographic methodology (Carspecken, 1996 ), this research included multiple forms of data (i.e., existing data, qualitative data, and quantitative survey). Each form of data is described in its respective section of the data collection and analysis phases with summary information depicted in.
Tribe A is a federally recognized tribe inland from the Gulf of Mexico. It is characterized by economic development, with tribal schools, health care services, as well as law enforcement, emergency and land management, and social services facilities. Tribe B is a state recognized tribe located in proximity to water and the Gulf Coast. Tribe B has more constrained economic resources and tribal infrastructure for its members. Tribe B offers employment, educational, and other individual programs for youth and tribal members. As indicated by the ethnographic methodology (Carspecken, 1996 ), this research included multiple forms of data (i.e., existing data, qualitative data, and quantitative survey). Each form of data is described in its respective section of the data collection and analysis phases with summary information depicted in.
