Cheyenne River Youth Challenge selects first Youth Advisory Council

The Cheyenne River Youth Challenge is welcoming seven teenagers to its first youth advisory council (Feb. 13, 2023). Known as Tȟeča Hótȟaŋiŋpi (Youth Make Their Voices Heard), the brand new council will advise the CRYP Board of Administrators and employees about what younger individuals want to see when it comes to programming and actions at CRYP’s Eagle Butte campus.

Council members embrace Nation Cowins, 15; Braylee Canine Eagle, 17; Clarence Lawrence, 16; Levi Elk Nation, 15; Natalie Marshall, 13; Sheridan Miner, 14; and Wambli Gleska Quintana, 17. Within the months to come back, these teenagers will pursue a management journey that’s deeply grounded in Lakota tradition.

“Along with serving as trusted advisors, these younger individuals additionally will safeguard and uphold our Lakota values, performing as position fashions and mentors for his or her friends,” Garreau stated. “They are going to exhibit tips on how to be a great relative and dwell wólakhota, consistent with our individuals’s sacred lifestyle.

“Every youth council member additionally will probably be accountable for 20 volunteer hours at CRYP, which suggests they’ll be helping with fundraising, neighborhood distributions, particular occasions, and even youth programming at The Foremost, our heart for 4- to 12-year-olds,” she added.

The seven teenagers are anticipated to take care of a 2.0 or higher grade level common, attend college repeatedly, attend every council gathering ready to interact, and characterize CRYP and Cheyenne River on subject journeys.

Their first journey as a council is that this month. On Feb. 19-24, 2023, Garreau, Artwork Supervisor Wakinyan Chief and Internship Supervisor Morgan Robinson will probably be taking the kids on to Washington, D.C. Nation Cowins is attending each as a youth council member and as CRYP’s first packages assistant trainee, a place he has held for greater than a 12 months.

Throughout their keep, the youth council members may have a chance to attach with CNAY representatives and go to The Aspen Institute. They are going to see iconic landmarks such because the U.S. Capitol and the White Home.

They are going to go to the U.S. Division of Treasury and meet Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba, the 18th chief of the Mohegan Tribe. She is the primary feminine chief within the tribe’s trendy historical past; she is also the primary Native individual to function Treasurer of the US.

The teenagers additionally will attend the 2023 State of Indian Nations, hosted by the Nationwide Congress of American Indians on the Nationwide Museum of the American Indian. They are going to take part in a Hill Day / White Home Roundtable, assembly with members of Congress and Congressional employees to debate priorities and construct connections.

What’s extra, they are going to spend time on the NCAI Basic Meeting and take part in coverage technique and advocacy coaching. This may embrace brainstorming a attainable legislative initiative to current to Rep. Gabriel Vasquez (D-NM) and Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola (D-AK).