Representation matters. Especially for Indigenous students, no matter the campus size or classroom location. Having students surrounded by successful Indigenous people is a cornerstone benchmark that the staff of Salt River Schools in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has consistently strived for. 

By surrounding community students with positive role models who worked hard to achieve their dreams, the lasting impacts can ripple outward for generations to come. 

In collaboration with the SRPMIC Community Relations Office, the Salt River Schools team will host an upcoming Youth Conference entitled “Journey Through the Middle School Maze” on July 24. 

Scottsdale Community College will hold the one-day conference inside of the Indigenous Cultural Center. 

The conference will help students who have recently graduated from elementary school as they get ready to navigate their middle school years. Staff from Salt River Schools, SCC and more will be on hand and ready to answer questions from students to help ease their transition from the middle to high school classrooms. 

Beginning at 10 a.m., students enrolled in the SRPMIC will also have the opportunity to meet and spend time with Douglas Miles, a professional artist who was once a middle school student, just like they are. 

Miles hails from the San Carlos Apache Tribe and will be one of the featured guest speakers during the conference.

An artist, photographer, curator, writer, muralist, and more, Miles founded Apache Skateboards in 2002 and is one of the premier artists in Indian Country, creating work that showcases Indigenous realities in modern times. 

Apache Skateboards is one of the oldest skateboarding companies owned by an Indigenous person. Additionally, Miles also runs and leads the Apache Skate Team, a group comprised of Indigenous skaters who visit tribal nations to showcase their talents through hosting skateboard workshops, concerts, public speaking breakout sessions and more. 

The conference will help bridge the gap and answer any questions students and their families or guardians may have. 

Families can register their superstar students to attend the “Journey Through the Middle School Maze” youth conference by dialing (480) 362-2534 and speaking with a representative from Salt River Schools.

Official Link for registration: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=FBr_IO4j00a5Lq5GzgtLQkojyPlvro5LvxaMBJ31paRURFo2QVg4SEpGVzVHRThBNTRaRU5ESlNYSC4u&route=shorturl