Apply or Nominate Someone to be a 2017 Champion for Change!

The Center for Native American Youth is currently accepting youth applications and nominations for the 2017 class of Champions for Change.   ABOUT THE PROCESS The Champions for Change youth application involves an essay or video response to a few brief questions; two (2) adult recommendations; and one (1) peer recommendation. CNAY is also accepting nominations* from tribal leaders, teachers, …

Champion for Change Engages with Native Leaders on Food Sovereignty & Nutrition

On May 2-4, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) co-sponsored "Fertile Ground II: Growing the Seeds for Native American Health”, a convening designed to explore opportunities for advancing policy work relating to nutrition, food access, and other issues affecting health outcomes in Indian Country. During the three-day conference in Minneapolis, participants …

2014 Champion For Change Crowned Miss Indian World

Earlier this month, Danielle Finn, 2014 Champion for Change, was crowned Miss Indian World at The Gathering of Nations. CNAY recognized Danielle in 2014 for her work as a positive role model who drove three hours twice a week to teach Head Start students, volunteer as an after school tutor, and serve as a dance teacher …

Champion for Change Noah Hotchkiss Speaks at Aspen Institute Project Play Summit

On May 17, Noah Hotchkiss from the 2016 class of Champions for Change joined a panel discussion at the Project Play Summit in Washington, DC. The summit brought together 450 leaders, including First Lady Michelle Obama, to share learnings and discover opportunities for building healthy communities through sport. Noah was invited by the Sports & Society …

April Updates from the Center for Native American Youth

NEWSLETTER APRIL 2016 View the full newsletter as a web page Youth Spotlight – Champion for Change Dahkota Brown Joins National Advisory Council on Indian Education  Dahkota Brown became a Champion for Change in 2013 for founding Native Education Raising Dedicated Students (NERDS), a nonprofit organization focused on Native student retention and support. Now, Dahkota will …

Champion for Change Noah Hotchkiss to Speak at Aspen Institute Project Play Summit

It’s been a year since the release of the seminal Aspen Institute report, Sport for All, Play for Life: A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game, and many organizations have taken action consistent with its eight strategies for the eight sectors that touch the lives of children. At the Project Play Summit, hear …

CNAY Newsletter March 2016

Youth Spotlight – Champions for Change Share Perspectives on the Importance of the Indian Child Welfare Act On March 16, CNAY moderated a Native youth panel discussion during Casey Family Programs’ National Tribal Leaders Meeting in Washington, DC. The panel featured young Native leaders from CNAY's Champions for Change program, who shared their views on …

CNAY Travels to Washington State to Meet with Reservation and Urban Indian Communities

In mid-March, CNAY traveled to Washington State to meet with Native youth from several tribes and urban areas to better understand challenges and successes in Indian Country. These meetings are designed to introduce CNAY’s efforts and programs, including Champions for Change and the Gen-I National Native Youth Network, to Native youth and other community members, …

Champion for Change Rory Taylor Participates in Citizen University Conference

In mid-March, CNAY and 2015 Champion for Change, Rory Taylor, attended and participated in the Citizen University conference in Seattle. The conference, which was themed “WHO IS US?” focused on race, identity, and what it means to be American now. The conference was attended by hundreds of activists and stakeholders to gain new skills, deepen …

CNAY Youth Ambassador Spotlight: Naelyn Pike

This year, in search of the 2016 class of Champions for Change, CNAY reviewed the largest number of Champions for Change applications we’ve received thus far. Although we can only select five finalists, the CNAY team and review committee were deeply inspired by the stories youth shared through their essay and video application submissions. Our Founder …