NAYA Youth D.C. Trip Update

Four NAYA youth are ready to travel to Washington D.C. with Generation Indigenous, the White House initiative that challenges tribal youth to make a difference for their communities. They were selected to attend the first ever White House Tribal Youth Summit after submitting essays on their community work. We’re proud of the accomplishments of these young leaders. Read their essays here.The group attended the Delta Park Powwow, our region’s largest traditional community gathering, to ask the crowd for help in paying for their trip. NAYA staff joined them, and helped them raise more than $500 from community supporters. They’re close to meeting their goal for their life-changing trip to the US capitol.“We are teaching other youth skills that they need throughout life,” says Leticia Velasquez, Klamath/Modoc, of her work at the non-profit restaurant Po’shines. She helps youth develop the responsibility, humility and communication skills that are necessary on the job.“I reach out to my peers, family and community to educate them about teen dating violence,” says Lanie Grimm, Kickapoo/Winnebago, who helped found the S.T.E.P. 2 Respect Leaders group in NAYA’s Early College Academy.Lofanitani Aisea-Ball, Klamath/Modoc, modeled in a social-change inspired art installation photo shoot to demonstrate the way modern Native people should be perceived. “I speak up and confront issues facing my people,” she says. Her work promotes love and acceptance of self.“As a role model for others, I want to keep youth from entering a path to gang life,” says Josiah One Star, Sicangu Lakota/Lyackson First Nation, who volunteers in gang prevention. Josiah advocates for increased federal resources to help youth through school, and through the common problems of addiction and gang involvement.Native American youth face substantial barriers to success. NAYA is helping them face these challenges and achieve greatness. You can make a difference in their lives. Make a tax-deductible gift to NAYA today.