Media Mentions

KNBA 90.3, Alaska

Fighting For the Future of Her Community

Each year, CNAY selects five young leaders, ages 14 to 24, who are making a difference in their communities. These “Champs” receive hands-on leadership training and advocacy support to further their impact. Among the 2025 honorees is Maiyuraq (Maiyu) Jones, an Environmental Science student at Western Washington University. Passionate about climate change and environmental justice, Jones has witnessed firsthand how shifting ecosystems are affecting her home in rural Alaska.

Champions for Change, Fellows, Native Village of Unalakleet

Article / Interview, ICT News

Empowering the next generation: 2025 Champions for Change

The Center for Native American Youth has announced its 2025 Champions for Change cohort. The program aims to cultivate future leaders dedicated to enhancing their communities through hands-on training. Three months into the yearlong program, participants began their experience with "Champs Week" in mid-February, held from the 9th to the 14th in Washington, D.C. This event marked their first opportunity to meet one another while also improving their public speaking and advocacy skills on Capitol Hill.

Champions for Change, Fellows

News Roundup, Ka Wai Ola, Hawaii

Ching a Champion of Change | News Brief

Joshua Ching was named a 2025 “Champion for Change” by the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute. The 2025 cohort includes five Indigenous youth who are leading impactful change in their communities.

Champions for Change, Fellows, Kanaka Maoli

News Roundup, O'odham Action News, Arizona

Champions for Change Includes O’odham Woman

[p. 14] Lourdes Pereira was named to a 2025 cohort by the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute. Pereira is Tohono O’odham and HiaCed O’odham.

Champions for Change launched in 2013 and selects five inspirational young people, age 14 to 24, from across the country. Pereira is 24 and a graduate of Arizona State University. The other four Champs are from Hawai’i, Alaska, Michigan and Oklahoma.

Champions for Change, Fellows, HiaCed O’odham, Tohono O’odham

Article / Interview, OU Daily, Oklahoma

‘Sky’s the limit’: OU student recounts journey of leadership, advocacy for Native American issues

Painter said she applied for Champions for Change because it aligns with her beliefs, values and mission-based approach and reflects her commitment to addressing the challenges Native communities face.

“There has to be spaces carved out for culturally-relevant programs,” Painter said. “To be a part of a program that is rooted in community and what the community believes and what it values.”

Champions for Change, Fellows, Kiowa, Winnebago

Article, Western Washington University, Washington

WWU Student Maiyuraq Nanouk Jones nominated for Governor’s Student Civic Leadership Award

The Aspen Institute’s Center for Native American Youth has named Nanouk Jones a 2025 Champion for Change. The program is a way to uplift young Indigenous peoples’ voices and comes with the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. in February to speak with elected representatives.

Champions for Change, Fellows, Native Village of Unalakleet

Press Release, Anadarko Daily News, Oklahoma

The Anadarko Daily News – January 24, 2025

2025 Champions for Change press release uplifted in full (print edition, confirmed by publisher).

Champions for Change, Fellows

Article, Hispanic Engineer & Information Technology, California

Young leaders are united by a desire to improve their communities

The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) has announced that in response to the ongoing wildfire crisis in Los Angeles and Southern California, which is home to the largest urban Native population in the U.S., CNAY is offering five $1,000 micro-grants to Native youth (ages 18-24) who want to help rebuild their community.

Champions for Change, Democracy is Indigenous, Fellows, Youth

Interview / Podcast / Radio, Native America Calling

Native youth building the foundation for future leadership

A Kanaka Maoli student at Yale is working on an AI tool to help clear criminal records of fellow Native Hawaiians. A Kiowa writer and artist is developing creative pathways to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. And a Tohono O’odham knowledge protector is archiving recordings and pictures from her tribe. Those are among this year’s young people selected as Champions for Change by the Center for Native American Youth. We’ll hear from them and get their stories of inspiration.

Champions for Change, Fellows

Article / Interview, The Norman Transcript, Oklahoma

OU student selected for Native youth leadership initiative

Lily Painter, a Kiowa and Winnebago writer, poet, advocate and storyteller, was selected for the Center for Native American Youth’s Champions for Change program.

“ I think finding a way to connect on all fronts of a movement is going to be the most helpful,” she said. “ I think the reason I also wanted to join and why I’ve been wanting to join this cohort… It’s the holistic nature of what Champions for Change is. It’s not people coming together based on just one area of advocacy.”

Champions for Change, Fellows, Kiowa, Winnebago