This presentation discusses sources of power & powerlessness for Native students. The author uses the example of Native students she has taught to suggest that hopefulness is their source of power. There are 3 dimensions of power: personal, interpersonal & functional. Suicides/suicide attempters have many characteristics of powerless people (e.g. non-parental caretakers, recent arrests, breaks in relationships). Finding hope is essential to helping prevent suicide/suicide attempts. (6 refs.)