2026 CNAY Fellows Convene on Cahuilla Lands

Áčaqun ehíčine. Go in a good way. 

Amidst a heat wave, the 2026 CNAY Fellows traveled to Cahuilla lands (Palm Springs, CA) for their opening convening, hosted by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians from March 26-29. This gathering marked the first time the Brave Heart, Remembering Our Sisters and California Native Youth Collective cohorts came together as one, united by their desire to better their communities and deepen their understanding of sovereignty.

On Thursday evening, we were welcomed to the community by Vice Chairman Anthony Purnel and a group of local Bird Singers led by John Prekwinkle, who invited the Fellows to join them in traditional dance. After a round of ice breakers and a detailed review of our packed agenda over dinner, Fellows walked to the Village Fest to pursue local vendors and enjoy a taste of Palm Springs culture. 

Sovereignty in Action

Our first full day was spent at the Agua Caliente Culture Center, where we began with a question: “What does sovereignty mean to you?” Fellows then heard from a panel of formidable  Indigenous women – moderated by CNAY Executive Director Tracy Goodluck (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin & Mvscoke Creek) – about what sovereignty means in practice. Samantha Skenandore (Ho-Chunk) – founding partner of her law firm – has more than 20 years of legal experience working with Tribal governments and enterprises to build governmental and economic infrastructures across Indian Country. Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari (Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians) serves as Tribal Affairs Secretary to Governor Gavin Newsom and leads the Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs. Concetta (‘Connie’) Tsosie de Haro (Diné) has deep expertise in federal Indian law and policy, having worked in the Department of the Interior and Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

After a lively lunch at El Patio, Fellows enjoyed a self-guided tour of the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum before breaking up into their cohorts for a discussion to identify their individual and shared values. We ended the day with a private dinner at Eight4Nine, where Fellows had the chance to engage with the panelists, staff and each other.

Cohort Deep Dive

Saturday was spent with Fellows divided up amongst their cohorts, diving deeper into their respective focus areas.

The Brave Heart cohort – Amaria Rosado (Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation), Christina ‘Mool Mool’ Kaltsukis (Yakama Nation), Hilary Penfield (Blackfeet), Isabella Haakanson (Old Harbor Sugpiaq), Jeamilett Martinez (Mazahua & Mixtec), Kailani Sirois (Colville Confederated Tribes & Poundmaker Cree) and Toipureenah Orozco (Mazahua, Rarámuri & Wixárika) – left bright and early for a hike through Indian Canyons. Vice Chairman Purnel led their journey, identifying local plant and animal life and providing unique insights into water rights settlements.

The Remembering Our Sisters cohort – Belle Brings Plenty (Cheyenne River Sioux), Kaya Dickson (Navajo Nation), Nichole Beatty (Caddo Nation of Oklahoma), Phoenix Thomas (Mohawks of Akwesasne), Precious Cook (Cheyenne River Sioux), Sadie Hill Kelley (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin) and Sunny ‘Puc’ Wahquahboshkuk (Prairie Band Potawatomi & Muscogee Creek) – participated in a beading and balancing workshop led by Elena Nourrie (Hopi, Cherokee & Chicana), Executive Director of the So’oh-Shinálí Sister Project, designed to help them remain grounded through their heavy work in MMIP (Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples) advocacy.

The California Native Youth Collective – Alejandra Davila (Round Valley Indian Tribes), David Felipe (Zapotec), Jaeden Wesley (Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians), Kateri Azure (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa), Lauren Reyes (Navajo & Mescalero Apache), Metzli Lemus (Purpecha & Yaqui), Payton McCoy (Round Valley Indian Tribes), Reg Macarro (Pechanga Band of Indians) and Tiana Uriarte (Navajo Nation) – started their morning traveling to the top of Mount San Jacinto on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, followed by a visit to the Malki Museum on the Morongo Band of Mission Indians Reservation, the first Native-owned museum in California.

We came back together as a group that afternoon for a Cahuilla basket weaving workshop, led by Nesune Madrigal. The bird singers also rejoined us to help ground us in the local traditions before we split up again for cohort-based dinners around Palm Springs. 

Community Impact

Sunday morning was spent celebrating two Fellow birthdays (Mool Mool & Precious) and some closing remarks from Tracy, reminding Fellows to take all they’ve learned and “go in a good way,” as Agua Caliente says instead of “goodbye.”

Each cohort then spent several hours refining and sharing their project plans with one another. Over the next six months, each Fellow will complete a community action project centered on environmental justice (Brave Heart), MMIP advocacy through art (Remembering Our Sisters) or California state policy (CA Native Youth Collective). Building on this impactful in-person convening, Fellows will also meet monthly for virtual learning opportunities to deepen their understanding of sovereignty, advocacy and leadership. 

CNAY is honored to support this class of incredible Native youth leaders and is grateful for all of the speakers, presenters and staff who contributed their expertise, knowledge and community connections. We are also thankful for the tremendous support of our partners, without whom this convening would not have been possible: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, The California Endowment, Decolonizing Wealth Project, Pechanga Band of Indians, The Lemelson Foundation, National Recreation Foundation, Native Voices Rising, Satterberg Foundation and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.