Empowering Native American youth to become cultural knowledge keepers of lands, waterways, and sacred sites, and advocating for better policies that protect these spaces.

About the Program

The Brave Heart Fellowship works to uplift youth voices while addressing the representation gap and inequities facing Indigenous Peoples in the fight for climate justice.

The 2022-2023 inaugural year is based in the Midwest region of the United States. The duration of this fellowship is from December 2022 to May 2023.

The Brave Heart Fellowship is for self-identified Native American and Indigenous youth, ages 18-24 years old, living in one of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. This youth-led program will equip Native youth to advocate and mobilize across their communities to protect traditional lands, waterways, and sacred sites. Through a culturally immersive curriculum, BHF will prioritize intergenerational learning spaces with tribal leaders and community elders who have long been on the front lines of climate change.

Applications are currently closed, but you can stay up to date and receive announcements about this fellowship by signing up for our newsletter here. If you have any questions please email Will Wilkinson at William.Wilkinson@AspenInstitute.org.

Learn About our Partners

The Pisces Foundation is to advance strategic solutions to natural resource challenges and prepare the next generation by supporting environmental learning. We collaborate, innovate, and work respectfully in our community.

The National Recreation Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the role of recreation as a positive force in improving the quality of life of youth. We do this by investing in recreation programs serving those who are economically, physically, or mentally disadvantaged.