Capitol City Classic All-Indian Basketball Tournament

ength for Native communities


Vision: Healthy Native Youth and Communities

The 5th Direction is a program based in the understanding that culture needs to be present and strong in our communities to combat influences in our people that have caused devastation to our families and traditions. The 5th Direction exists to defend young Native people and communities from outside influences that have contributed to the negative statistics and stereotypes of American Indian people. The 5th Direction understands the devastation that drugs and alcohol have caused in the American Indian community and challenges Native youth and Native communities to live their lives not only for us, but also for the people who have given of themselves for this generation to be here. We understand that there are expectations of us as American Indian’s that we could not fulfill if we use drugs, alcohol and commercial tobacco.We refuse to be a negative statistic and we are stronger than peer pressure and temptation. We are American Indian people and we need to be healthy for our community, family, elders and ourselves. We will honor our family, elders, tribes, community and ourselves. We hold our culture above the influences that have contributed to negative statistics within our community. The 5th Direction promotes healthy choices for our communities, by promoting healthy alternatives to the negative influence of drugs and alcohol. Through sports, education and cultural activities youth gain confidence and understanding of traditional values and lifestyles. The 5th Direction understands that as Native people we live both in western society and as Native people and communities. We promote healthy activities in western society that contribute to our well being as Native people. We promote contemporary sports such as basketball, skateboarding and softball alongside our long traditions of running and working in nature.