Walking Through the Door of Opportunity

June 16, 2022–I entered the CNAY office days ahead of my first official day as an intern. I was greeted with this warm energy and kind welcome. Jen Peacock, a former Program Associate, thought it would be great for me to come in to see the office and to meet “some youth who were in town.” The youth in question were the 2022 Champions for Change. Before that moment, I was not very familiar with Champs. That afternoon talking to the Champs opened my eyes to the amazing things youth are doing across Indian Country. What a perfect way to start my time at CNAY. This was the start of an experience that shaped me as a young person, a leader, and a community member. I soon realized that my summer as an intern was going to be a time of opportunity, growth, and building a foundation for the mark I wanted to make on my community and Indian Country.

After beginning my internship and talking with Jen about my reflections, she thought it would be a great idea for me to write about it. I used those reflections and newfound inspiration to write an open letter to Native youth about taking advantage of opportunities and going beyond what they think they can handle to achieve their dreams. Underneath all of this, however, was insecurity, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt. As I ventured into spaces with Indigenous people from so many different communities, especially in DC, I battled with feeling like my voice wasn’t heard or people didn’t want to hear it because I came from a state recognized tribe. I wasn’t secure in the spaces I was in that I was meant to be there and that others could benefit from what I had to offer. I grew that summer as a leader, a good relative, and that dark cloud of negative thinking slowly began to dissipate.

February 10, 2026–It’s Day 2 of Champs Week. I’m sitting in the holding room at the CNAY office minutes before our panel. I can’t remember who exactly it was who asked but someone asked us how we were feeling in that moment. I looked around that room and that memory from June of 2022 came back to me. I remembered coming to the office for the first time and meeting the Champs in that very room. Of course, moments before I have to answer questions and form cohesive thoughts in front of an audience I burst into tears. I suddenly felt the weight of that moment and what it truly meant in my journey and for my people. Never would I have thought that I would return to that conference room as a Champ one day. I didn’t even consider the idea because of that self-doubt I had struggled with and feeling inferior because of the recognition status of my tribe. The work I have done since has changed me for the better. The Zianne in that room then admires the one who started her journey there four years ago. The overwhelming gratitude and sense of purpose I felt during Champs Week is what I know I will remember for years to come. I knew I was meant for opportunities like that and more. Now that some time has passed I tear up as I write this because I’m even more assured that the open letter wasn’t just to Native youth, but also to myself, the versions of me yet to come. So let this be encouragement to you to never question your purpose and the gifts Creator has given you because you never know where they may lead.

With good medicine and intention,

Zianne M. Richardson (MihÁ:oknaho:)

Haliwa-Saponi

2022 CNAY Intern

2026 Champion for Change