Brave Heart Fellowship
Champions for Change
CA Native Youth Collective
Remembering Our Sisters
Building Communities of Hope
Creative Native
Democracy is IndigenousA movement to connect, engage and provide opportunities and a cross-sector platform for Native youth in California.
About the Program
The California Native Youth Collective (CNYC) is a network of youth leaders (ages 18-24) from across the state eager to hone their leadership skills, amplify their voices, and advocate for their communities at the local, tribal, state and national level. Over the course of a year, the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) provides opportunities for Fellows to engage in leadership training, develop interventions to improve outcomes in their communities and provide input on policy.
All applicants, regardless of acceptance, become part of the CNAY network and remain engaged with our community.
Learn More
The 2025 California Native Youth Collective (CNYC) is comprised of 10 young Indigenous leaders from across the state who are committed to bettering their communities. Congratulations Ayacaxtli, Emoni, Bella, Olivia, Raquel, Rowan, Victoria, Te Maia, Xavier & Kaytlynn!
Throughout this yearlong fellowship, Fellows will gain skills to support their work, connect with other youth leaders and receive resources to amplify their platforms.
Learn more about the 2025 cohort: Indigenous Youth Leaders Advocate for a Stronger California
Fellows are required to attend in-person gatherings and have intermittent opportunities for leadership and advocacy training. CNAY provides a participation stipend in addition to covering any cost of travel. Fellows also have the opportunity to receive additional funding for community action projects, and may attend state and national convenings based on availability and areas of interest.
Questions about CNYC, becoming a Fellow or partnering with CNAY? Please contact Programs Manager Katy Stewart: katy.stewart@aspeninstitute.org
Fellow Impact
- The inaugural cohort worked on issues including the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), food sovereignty and creating inclusive college campuses, among others. Many participated in the White House Tribal Youth Summit, the White House Tribal Nations Summit, and a roundtable convening with philanthropic organizations, tribal leadership, congressional offices and federal agencies to discuss support for California Native communities.
- The 2024 cohort convened in Sacramento, where Ambassadors met with leadership from the California Endowment and Assemblymember James Ramos. They also spent time in community where they participated in culturally significant activities, including learning a traditional weaving technique.
- Fellows have also participated in a data sovereignty initiative, analyzing California-specific data from CNAY’s Center Us Survey.
- CNYC provides a platform for Fellows to share their experiences, furthering the narrative and discourse surrounding Indigenous Peoples in California. We encourage Fellows to approach and reframe conversations from a Native perspective, in their own voice, and provide unique opportunities to highlight their efforts through local and national media outlets.
Meet the Fellows
