The Empowerment programs encourage social change through a three step approach:
1.  Healing from the historical trauma of the Past.
2.  Addressing Present day health and social issues.
3.  Learning to overcome adversities and plan for the Future.

Throughout the year, quarterly Empowerment programs will be organized for the participants bringing Role Models and Mentors to work with the youth. All activities are culturally based and focused on physical, spiritual, and mental well-being. The programs teach: Every action has a re-action; we can change the path in life we are on; we do not have to allow the negative conditioning and reservation environment to dictate our future; the choice becomes ours to make.

In order for our youth to heal and plan for the future we as Native people need to be very honest about our environment and conditions right now. The youth in our community face oppressive, poverty stricken conditions which include: Low self-esteem, self-hatred, fear, loss of identity, disconnectedness, disrespect, anger, denial, racism. All of these lead to high rates of teen pregnancy, teen drop out rates, alcoholism, drug abuse, peer pressure, obesity, and teen suicide. The youth also face the effects of institutionalism. Their great grandparents were stripped of their identity, way of life, and made to become a dependent society. This “beaten down” mentality has been passed down to our current generation of youth.  The good news is the youth want to connect, they are looking for identity, and healthy activities, and the youth want a better life. Through programming and healthy activities like Yellow Bird Inc. provides our youth can find their identity, develop a healthy body, mind and spirit, and rid themselves of the victim mentality so they can become the leaders of the future.