History

NAYA's history

The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA Family Center) was informally founded by parent volunteers in 1974 and became a 501(c)(3) organization in 1994. It serves self-identified Native American youth and their families throughout the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area.

NAYA Family Center strives to fulfill its mission: "to enhance the diverse strengths of our youth and families in partnership with the community through cultural identity and education." As an urban Indian agency, NAYA Family Center serves over 1,400 youth and their families from over 380 tribal backgrounds annually.

Our mission is best described by our key values: we believe that traditional cultural values are integral to regaining sovereignty and building self-esteem. NAYA Family Center is a mission-driven organization that values respect for the environment, places the larger community before the individual, and involves elders. We promote healthy living through positive alternatives to high-risk behaviors, and we promote the values of sobriety, family stability, culture, active lifestyles, and education.