A program that was started to help fathers on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona marks its eighth anniversary this month.

Back in August 2001, the Fatherhood is Sacred program only had one member -- Hubert Washington -- for three weeks. But the program now has chapters among 37 tribes in the U.S. and Canada and now helps Native mothers.

"Native Americans have been told they can't accomplish things," Albert Pooley, the president of the Native American Fatherhood and Family Association and creator of Fatherhood is Sacred and Motherhood is Sacred, told The Arizona Republic. "We uplift their attitudes, spirits, self-image. We uplift them, period."

Washington, 50, still attends meetings and credits the group with helping him regain custody of his 16-year-old daughter. "It's never too late to be a good parent," he said at the meeting.

More than 2,000 fathers and mothers have completed the 12-week program, which is funded by tribes.

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Tribal program helps parents, kids rebuild relationships (The Arizona Republic 8/6)