#DearNativeYouth is the beautiful hashtag all young Native Americans need to hear

These and hundreds of similar messages have flooded Twitter since last week underthe hashtag #DearNativeYouth. Within days of its launch, the campaign, created by University of Washington sociocultural anthropology Ph.D. candidate Brooke Spotted Eagle, accumulated an inspiring collection of life-affirming messages directed at young Native Americans.

Sadly, this beautiful outpouring of support did not emerge without reason. Its necessity implies a troubling set of challenges Native youth face today.