Education Meets Unemployment: The Struggle for Native Youth
The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened systemic economic gaps for Native American communities, particularly for young people returning to reservations after pursuing higher education. Kyle Mesteth, director of advocacy group Ground Control, shared a stark reality: \"Someone goes to school for filmmaking… they come back here and there's nowhere to get a job. That's a lack of opportunity.\"
Brain Drain vs. Cultural Ties
Many young professionals face a dilemma: pursue careers aligned with their education in urban areas or return to reservations where opportunities are scarce. Reports indicate over 60% of reservation-based Native youth who leave for college struggle to find local work post-graduation, risking a 'brain drain' from their communities.
Media Narratives Under Scrutiny
Mesteth criticized mainstream media portrayals of reservation life, arguing they often overlook innovative grassroots efforts. \"We’re reduced to stereotypes while our solutions go untold,\" he said, citing a rise in reservation-based startups focused on renewable energy and digital arts since 2020.
Reference(s):
The Race Gap in the U.S.: Because a lot of great things are happening
cgtn.com
