About Us

History of the Program

The Indian Guides program was established in 1926 as a way to ensure that hard-working fathers stayed involved in their sons lives.  The program was developed by Harold Keltner of the Saint Louis, Missouri YMCA, with the help of, and based on the example of his friend Joe Friday, an Ojibway Indian.

Keltner designed the father and son program based upon the strong qualities of American Indian culture and life--dignity, patience, endurance, spirituality, feeling for the earth and concern for the family. The Y-Indian Princess organization for fathers and daughters got its start at the Fresno, California YMCA in 1954.

Sunset Nation serves the communities of Pacific Palisades, The Santa Monica canyon area and Malibu.