Partnership with Local Indians for Education (Life Center)
Our Mission and Vision
Vision Statement
LIFE Center will provide the Indigenous community with a nurturing environment where
youth and their families can learn,
strengthen and embrace their cultural traditions.
LIFE provides an opportunity through tradition and education that
cultivates a sense of self that empowers all Native Peoples.
Through LIFE, community members will have the cultural foundation, knowledge
and inspiration to choose and design the pathway to their own destiny.
Mission Statement
Local Indians For Education will build the capacity and capabilities of
Indigenous community members to succeed through culturally based
education programs, services and advocacy to create a better informed and empowered community.
LIFE Center will provide the Indigenous community with a nurturing environment where
youth and their families can learn,
strengthen and embrace their cultural traditions.
LIFE provides an opportunity through tradition and education that
cultivates a sense of self that empowers all Native Peoples.
Through LIFE, community members will have the cultural foundation, knowledge
and inspiration to choose and design the pathway to their own destiny.
Mission Statement
Local Indians For Education will build the capacity and capabilities of
Indigenous community members to succeed through culturally based
education programs, services and advocacy to create a better informed and empowered community.
Programs Offered
After-School Program / Online Tutoring
Tuesday through Thursday, The LIFE Center hosts an after-school program for students grade 5 and older. The focus of this program is to provide an off-the-streets place for youth to gather and be productive. Tuesday is our Cultural Enrichment day where we discuss traditional and modern practices of Native Americans. We learn of local histories including tribes, customs, historical disputes and local heroes. Wednesdays we offer a Sons of Tradition boys talking circle and a Girls' Talking Circle. On Thursdays we provide Youth Prevention Education where we discuss anger management, life skills and making good choices.
LIFE Center Youth Program
The LIFE Center Youth Program was established in 1972 and its intentions were and still are to teach the youth in our community about everyday life such as reproductive health, peer pressure, dangers of binge drinking, drug abuse and etc. Our youth program is also a safe place for young men and women to come and talk to someone they trust about a problem they might have or to seek life advice.
The Youth Program is about young men and women coming together to gather knowledge and become educators to their peers, about educating youth about S.T.D.s, pregnancy, and birth control as well as offering resources and knowledge about reproductive health. It is a safe place to discuss peer pressure, binge drinking, smoking and drug abuse.
Indian Art & Design
The LIFE Center has a full Native craft shop where you can find anything you need to make dreamcatchers, traditional Native jewelry, fans, home decor and other crafts. We also have a selection of leathers, gemstones, feathers, beads, and ceremonial sage and sweetgrass.
If you are looking for something specific and we do not carry it, we can likely find and order it for you! Free crafting lessons are offered with the purchase of shop materials.
LIFE Center Contact Information
Phone: 530-275-1513
Executive Director: Shawna Garcia. sgarcia@
Education Director: Amber Craig acraig@