Native American Youth 'Champions of Change' Come to Washington

Last summer at the UNITY youth conference in Minneapolis, President Obama issued a challenge to young people across Indian Country – send us your stories of leadership and service in your communities and representatives from across the country would be invited to the White House to share those stories.

Hundreds across Indian Country answered that challenge and yesterday 11 young Native American "Champions of Change" came to the White House to share their stories of leadership and service. They are being honored as Champions of Change because they have found unique and creative ways to address the daily challenges that face American Indians and Alaska Natives in diverse communities across America.  On Friday, these leaders of tomorrow will attend the 2011 White House Tribal Nations Conference to learn firsthand about the issues and challenges that are currently facing Indian Country.

From Alaska to Connecticut, these 11 young people have worked to improve their communities with unique talents, including building suicide prevention programs, preserving traditions and languages, creating sustainable development practices to preventing bullying and building safer communities. They exemplify how thousands of other Native American youth across the country are improving life in their own communities. Their stories and their plans for tomorrow demonstrate the spirit of a generation that is working hard to win the future for Indian Country.

Each of them shared their unique stories of leadership and community service during a White House event on Thursday, December 1, 2011. Click here to watch the full event, or check out the video below.

Charlie Galbraith is an Associate Director in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement