Media Mentions

Article, The Cody Enterprise, Wyoming

Native activist will host a Buffalo Feast

The Cody Enterprise featured Champions for Change alumna Mariah Gladstone as the keynote speaker for the 29th Annual Buffalo Feast, celebrating Indigenous food sovereignty and traditional food systems. The piece highlighted Gladstone’s leadership as founder of Indigikitchen and noted her recognition as a Champion for Change through CNAY among her key career accomplishments.

Champions for Change, Fellows, Blackfeet, Cherokee

Op-ed, National Women’s Law Center

DEI Isn’t a Handout. For Some Students, It’s a Lifeline.

The National Women’s Law Center published an op-ed titled “DEI Isn’t a Handout. For Some Students, It’s a Lifeline,” coauthored by 2024 Remembering Our Sisters Fellow Summer Wildbill and Black student activist Mel de Miami. The piece highlights the importance of DEI initiatives in creating equitable educational opportunities and culturally informed support for students of color.

Remembering Our Sisters, Fellows, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Article, University of Illinois, Illinois

Native American House Ambassador Program

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Native American House profiled Justin Bean as a 2025–2026 NAH Ambassador, highlighting his leadership in promoting Native student life and his role in a 2024 Democracy is Indigenous “get-out-the-vote” initiative supported by CNAY.

Democracy is Indigenous, Fellows, Choctaw Nation

Article, Anchorage Daily News, Alaska

Interior reverend, UAF professor honored as Alaska Federation of Natives 2025 awardees

The Anchorage Daily News highlighted the 2025 Alaska Federation of Natives awardees, celebrating Alaska Native leaders and allies advancing community, culture, and youth empowerment. Among the honorees was Champion for Change alum Tayler Tanginiq Higgins, who received AFN’s Lu Young Leadership Award for her continued advocacy for Indigenous youth.

Champions for Change, Fellows, Dena’ina, Suqpiaq, Yup’ik

News Roundup, Provecho Collective, Colorado

The Three Sisters: Growing Community, One Seed at a Time

Provecho Collective published an educational feature on the Three Sisters — corn, beans and squash — highlighting their role as both a sustainable agricultural practice and a cultural blueprint for reciprocity. The piece honors Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and cites the Center for Native American Youth as a key resource for learning and community engagement around Native food systems and stewardship.

News Roundup, Pennsylvania

I’m Listening: Find resources to support your mental health

Audacy shared an extensive list of national and community-based crisis and mental health resources, including the 988 Lifeline and culturally specific programs for underrepresented communities. The resource highlights CNAY as a national partner supporting Native youth mental health and well-being.

Teen Suicide

Interview, Bison ONE Newsroom, Washington, DC

Preserving Native Voices: The Smithsonian National Museum Of The American Indian

NewsOne spotlighted growing concern among Native leaders over proposed federal reviews of Smithsonian museum exhibits, including the National Museum of the American Indian. The article featured CNAY Executive Director Tracy L. Canard Goodluck, who emphasized that filtering Indigenous histories “through a partisan lens” would harm young people’s understanding of Native identity and resilience.

Staff, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin

Article, Native News Online

With Honor and Gratitude, Indian Country Mourns Ernie Stevens, Jr. at Services on Oneida Nation

Native News Online published coverage of memorial services for Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr., where nearly 2,000 attendees gathered on the Oneida Nation to honor his life and legacy. The piece highlighted his decades of leadership advancing tribal sovereignty and gaming, with tributes from national Native leaders — including CNAY Executive Director Tracy L. Canard Goodluck — underscoring Stevens’ lasting impact across Indian Country.

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin

Article, AP News

Ernie Stevens Jr., chair of the Indian Gaming Association and Oneida Nation leader, has died

The Associated Press published an obituary honoring Ernie “Big Cat” Stevens, Jr., longtime chair of the Indian Gaming Association and a champion for Tribal sovereignty. The piece reflected on Stevens’ decades of leadership advancing Native gaming, his impact across Indian Country and his service on boards including CNAY.

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin

Article, Native News Online

Tributes for Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr.

CNAY’s statement mourning the passing of Ernie Stevens, Jr. was featured in a compilation of tributes honoring his life and leadership. The piece highlighted Stevens’ legacy as a champion for Tribal sovereignty and Native youth, noting CNAY’s reflections on his steadfast commitment to uplifting the next generation.

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin