Assesses the present state of knowledge about American Indian & Alaskan native (AI/AN) adolescent suicide, evaluates progress (or lack thereof) during the 1980s in understanding & dealing with the issue & suggests directions for addressing the phenomenon in the 1990s. A selective literature review is conducted on the epidemiology, causality & contributing factors to AI/AN adolescent suicide. Clinical & prevention programs for AI/AN youth are discussed. (29 refs.)