Western approaches to teaching about adolescence, puberty and coming-of-age, frequently emphasize deficits and negative experiences. It is clear from ongoing research that current health education approaches unfortunately far too often reinforce a negative self-image amongst students and youth. Lack of education about puberty and menstruation has shown to potentially increase risk for poor body image; depression; and “risk-taking behaviors such as substance use and the early initiation of sexual activity” (Shmitt, 2022). However, it is clear from ongoing research that sharing positive perspectives and stories about puberty and menstruation can combat these negative effects. It is important to note that this includes both boys and girls as seeing positive impacts when they learn new perspectives on puberty and coming-of-age. 

The Hupa are now consistently practicing their women’s coming-of-age ceremony called xoq’it-ch’iswa:l-te or the Flower Dance. This dance is very important for guiding and helping young women of the tribe as they enter adulthood. For the Hupa, adolescence, when young people start to grow up and become more like adults, is a time of great importance. Preparation includes learning prayers, songs in Native languages, gathering materials to make dresses out of bark and deer hide, preparing and storing acorns, pine nuts and salmon under the guidance of Medicine people, community members and family. Young men are also an important part of her community, as they will come to the ceremony to dance, sing and also help with the many things that need to be done to keep the ceremony going. 

The women’s coming-of-age ceremony is a very important ceremony not only to Hupa people but to many California Indian tribes. Most tribes have some kind of ceremony that celebrates young women as they move into their adulthood. The Karuk (who are just Northeast of the Hupa) women’s coming-of-age ceremony is called the Ihuk. During the ceremony, the family and community support the young person through days of fasting, running and nights of singing. The ceremonial dance is an opportunity for community members to sing, dance and build relationships with each other and with the young person. This sets the tone for the importance of women to their communities. It also helps young people to see that their community is there for them and that there are many people they can rely on if they ever feel like they need help in their lives.