Champions for Change
Recognizing Native youth who inspire one another to make a positive impact in their communities
The 2023 Champions for Change: Gabrielle, Joshua, Samuel, Honu, and Jovi serve as representatives of the next generations of leaders… READ MORE
Samuel Hiratsuka (Aleut/Yu’pik/Winnemem Wintu/Navajo) is the proud son of Tommy and Vanessa Hiratsuka. Born and raised in Anchorage, Samuel maintains… READ MORE
Jovi Williams, 18 years old, lives in the beautiful community of Dishchii’bikoh, located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in… READ MORE
Joshua Jackson is a Red Lake Band Ojibwe member from south Minneapolis’ Little Earth Community. His upbringing has shaped his… READ MORE
Honu’āina Nichols (they/them/ʻoia) is a queer Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) kiaʻi wai (water protector), aloha ʻāina, activist, haʻiʻōlelo (orator), organizer/facilitator,… READ MORE
Gabriella Nakai (Choctaw/Navajo) is a junior honor student at Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Gabbe is committed to food… READ MORE
The 2022 Champions for Change: Ivy, Maria, Triston, and Kaliko serve as representatives of the next generations of leaders in… READ MORE
Triston B. Black is a citizen of the Navajo Nation and community member of Tsaile, Arizona. His clan relations are of the… READ MORE
Maria Walker obtained her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Arizona State University (ASU). She has continued her education… READ MORE
Kalikoonāmaukūpuna (Kaliko) Kalāhiki is a queer and māhū Kanaka Maoli student, community builder, artist, creative, and farmer. They are currently… READ MORE
The 2020-2021 Champions for Change: Isabella, Jazmine, Owen, Shavaughna, and Warren, serve as representatives of the next generations of leaders… READ MORE
Owen L. Oliver (Quinault / Isleta Pueblo) comes from the people of the Lower Columbia River, Salish Sea, and Southwest… READ MORE
Shavaughna Underwood comes from the Quinault People. She is a Human Services Professional who works with the Behavioral Health Team… READ MORE
Isabella Madrigal, an avid writer and storyteller, is a senior at the Orange County School of the Arts and enrolled… READ MORE
Throughout his high school experience, Warren served as a leader by organizing cultural activities, cultural education, promoting cultural awareness, and… READ MORE
Jazmine Wildcat has spent most of her formative years advocating for equality and equity for others and ensuring that humankind… READ MORE
The 2019 Champions for Change, Autumn, Shandiin, Charitie, Madison, and Adam, serve as representatives of the next generations of leaders… READ MORE
Shandiin recognizes the power of using her voice in spaces where Native people are absent. Her role as a Diné… READ MORE
Madison is an advocate for higher education, raised awareness of Indigenous issues between the United States and Canada, Kanienkeha language… READ MORE
Charitie currently serves as student representative on the Native Advisory Committee within the Anchorage School District (ASD) and has been… READ MORE
Autumn advocates for the children affected by the implementation and lack of implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).… READ MORE
Adam sees the most important challenge his community faces to be a disconnect from their culture. He helped create a… READ MORE
Carin Young is the first Native Hawaiian to be named a CNAY Champion for Change. Carin is dedicated to raising… READ MORE
Christie’s community is located in a border town where racial tensions run high. To combat negative misperceptions of Native people… READ MORE
Tatiana is a student at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, majoring in electrical engineering. Over the years, she has served as… READ MORE
While a student at Pomona College, Rory founded and directed the Claremont College IndigeNATION Scholars program. IndigeNATION pairs Claremont mentors… READ MORE
Collectively, Damien, Isabel, Shawna, EllaMae, and Anthony are working to connect Native youth with the healing power of tribal lands,… READ MORE
For the past four years, Sam has led the Navajo Nation Service Learning Trip, an effort his family plans and… READ MORE
Hamilton advances culture and promotes healthy lifestyles through traditional sports. After losing his father to suicide, he became an avid… READ MORE
Sam is an Alaska Native youth who spends part of his year as one of only two Native students in… READ MORE
After participating in and learning about youth-led efforts at a National Congress of American Indians conference, Sarah was inspired to… READ MORE
At an early age, Lauren became a reading buddy for younger children at her local bookstore and noticed the lack… READ MORE
As a college student, Keith Martinez chaired the Youth Advisory Board of Lakota Children’s Enrichment, Inc. (LCE), an organization dedicated… READ MORE
As a senior in high school, William was part of the Lummi Nation’s Teens Against Tobacco Use (T.A.T.U.) group. The… READ MORE
Damien harnesses the healing effects of ancestral lands to help Native youth battle feelings of isolation and depression. In connecting… READ MORE
When he was just 11 years old, Vance’s aunt introduced him to a Salish language camp that would inspire him… READ MORE
After losing a friend to suicide, Faith started #codepurple, a social media based suicide prevention campaign, to connect peers going… READ MORE
Vanessa believes that language can be used to heal from historical trauma and has dedicated her life to learning and… READ MORE
A graduate of Columbia University, Mariah is passionate about food sovereignty and health and wellness. Mariah created Indigikitchen, a web-video cooking… READ MORE
Isabel Coronado is a policy entrepreneur at Next100 and a citizen of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation. Her clan is the… READ MORE
Joaquin supports U.S. policy actions to strengthen Indian Nations. He was originally named a Champion for Change in recognition of… READ MORE
CJ’s goal is unity, strength, and healthy partnerships for all. After overcoming the effects of middle-school bullying, CJ poured his… READ MORE
Danielle is a hardworking, positive role model for Native American youth. In college, she drove three hours twice a week… READ MORE
Cierra Fields is a two time melanoma survivor. Her work with the Cherokee Nation Comprehensive Cancer Control Program to promote… READ MORE
Jazmyn founded the Warrior Circle Project as a safe space for youth to support one another through challenges such as… READ MORE
Nancy is a college senior who started her own initiative focused on cultural preservation called the Youth Enrichment Camp (YEC).… READ MORE
Shawna grew up in foster care and is working to counter stereotypes of Native American foster youth. By striving to… READ MORE
Anthony Tamez challenges misconceptions about urban Native youth. As co-president of Chi-Nations Youth Council in Chicago, Anthony leads Native youth… READ MORE
Elizabeth Burns is a student at Rogers State University studying Spanish, English and Political Science. She is passionate about promoting… READ MORE
Dahkota is a student at Stanford University who understands the importance of education and the need for encouragement from peers,… READ MORE
As a high school student, Noah secured funding from the Billy Mills Dreamstarter program to launch Tribal Adaptive Organization, which… READ MORE
EllaMae advocates for language revitalization among Native youth in Oregon. She’s learning all three Native languages spoken in her tribal… READ MORE
CJ, Faith, Mariah, Nancy, and Sam come from diverse tribal communities throughout the United States with unique stories that led… READ MORE
Christie, Noah, Sam and Vanessa are all working within and beyond their tribal communities to educate and support their peers,… READ MORE
These five inspiring Native leaders are working diligently to create positive change within their tribal and urban Indian communities. The… READ MORE
The 2014 CFCs are five young Native American leaders who are creating positive change for their peers and tribal or… READ MORE
As the very first class of CNAY Champions for Change, Sarah, Cierra, Vance, Joaquin, and Dahkota have inspired other Native youth… READ MORE