In 1973, the year FASD was officially identified by the
scientific community, I was a VISTA volunteer on a Paiute and Shoshone Indian
reservation in Nevada.
The area was remote, with a town of 200 people and nearby reservation of similar size. There was a tiny grocery store, gas station/motel, and several bars. I worked in the K-12 school as an education aide to help Native American youth succeed in school and go on to college. Students were a mix of children from the rancher-controlled town and the large reservation.
Sometimes you would see children waiting in cars parked in front of the bars. Now looking back, I see the faces of FASD.
The area was remote, with a town of 200 people and nearby reservation of similar size. There was a tiny grocery store, gas station/motel, and several bars. I worked in the K-12 school as an education aide to help Native American youth succeed in school and go on to college. Students were a mix of children from the rancher-controlled town and the large reservation.
Sometimes you would see children waiting in cars parked in front of the bars. Now looking back, I see the faces of FASD.
Many reservation families did their best to provide positive cultural connections and dreams for the future. One of my fondest memories
was pow wows, with elders beating traditional drums for circle dances that lasted hours. Parents taught their children beading on soft-skinned
moccasins, gloves, and traditional cradleboards. Many drew on Native American wisdom for their strength.
Pictured above is Morgan Fawcett, a young Native American from Alaska affected by FASD. This link describes his background, his work and foundation. Despite the challenges, he is using his talents to make a difference.
