Lakota Family Acceptance Project
Development and Evaluation of an Indigenized Family Acceptance Project for Lakota LGBTQ2S+ Youth
University of Michigan
28 participants
Jan 20, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this open pilot trial (OPT) is to develop a Lakota-adapted Family Acceptance Project (LFAP) for Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their caregivers. The OPT is specifically focused on acceptability, feasibility, and safety of programming and research protocols. The investigators will also examine pre- to post- changes on outcomes for the sole purposes of making sure scores on measures are changing in the hypothesized direction (e.g., depression scores are going from moderate to minimal as opposed to no change or depression scores increasing). Once enrolled in the study, participants complete a baseline survey. Then participants will engage in LFAP which is an 8-session group intervention; sessions will be scheduled once a week for eight weeks (at 2 hours per session). Participants will complete survey instruments before and immediately after the program sessions, in addition to post-program surveys and an exit interview.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria11
- Identify as 2SLGBTQ+ (and their identity must be known to their participating caregiver)
- Identify as Indigenous (multiracial youth who are also Indigenous are eligible)
- Youth should be between the ages of 13 and 18 years
- Read and speak English
- Report moderate to high levels of caregiver/family rejection (as evidenced by agreement on items that assess the presence and frequency of specific family rejecting behaviors \[includes ambivalent and moderately and highly rejecting caregivers\]
- Report an ability and commitment to attending eight sessions at two hours a week over eight weeks with their caregiver
- Caregivers are broadly defined and may include a biological parent, stepparent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or other adult who provides care to the Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth
- Must be over the age of 18
- Read and speak English
- Be aware of the SGM identity of their Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth
- report an ability and commitment to attending eight sessions at two hours a week over eight weeks with their teen
Exclusion Criteria1
- We will exclude Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth and caregivers at imminent risk for suicide and/or who are experiencing current psychosis symptoms as determined by results on the safety items screener.
Interventions
Tiwahe Tewichaglapi ("The Family Loves Them") Program Overview Tiwahe Tewichaglapi is a culturally grounded, family-centered intervention adapted from the Family Acceptance Project® (FAP) to promote caregiver acceptance, respect, support, and family bonding for 2SLGBTQ+ Lakota youth. The program was developed in partnership with the Lakota Oyate to address family rejection rooted in colonization and historical trauma and to honor traditional Two Spirit roles that have long held important and respected places within Lakota communities. The program aims to strengthen families, increase youth pride and hope for the future, and reduce mental health risks such as depression, anxiety, substance use, dating violence, and suicide among 2SLGBTQ+ Lakota youth. Tiwahe Tewichaglapi includes eight family-centered group sessions delivered by Lakota facilitators. Each session begins with Lakota cultural and spiritual practices - including smudging, a Lakota prayer, and a shared meal - to ground the
Locations(2)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07326748