Brave Heart Fellowship
Champions for Change
CA Native Youth Collective
Remembering Our Sisters
Building Communities of Hope
Creative Native
Democracy is IndigenousIn mid-February, the five 2025 Champions for Change – Joshua Ching (Native Hawaiian), Katie Lynch (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), Lily Painter (Kiowa/Winnebago), Maiyuraq Nanouk Jones (Native Village of Unalakleet) and Lourdes Pereira (Hia-Ced O’odham/Tohono O’odham) – met in Washington, DC for their first in-person gathering. Amid freezing temperatures and swirling snow storms, the Champs spent the week getting to know one another, honing their public speaking skills, and advocating for issues closest to them on Capitol Hill.
After an informal welcome dinner hosted at the Aspen Institute headquarters on Sunday evening, 2024 Champion for Change and current Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Chair Ian Teller officially kicked off the four-day-long convening with an opening prayer on Monday morning, setting good intentions and mindful hopes for the week and year ahead. Both Ian and YAB Vice Chair Sage Phillips joined the 2025 Champs as mentors for the week, presenting the fellows with custom Champions for Change medallions during Monday’s opening session.
The Champs then joined attendees of the National Congress of American Indians NCAI Executive Council Winter Session for the State of Indian Nations (SOIN) address at the Westin in downtown DC. NCAI President Mark Macarro addressed the impressive crowd of tribal leaders and other influential community members from across Indian Country with a distinct call to action: don’t let up reminding the United States of their trust and treaty responsibilities to tribal nations as a new Administration takes office.
But for the Champs, the stars of the morning remarks were Angelina Serna and Madison Brown, Co-Presidents of the NCAI Youth Commission. Madison and Angelina articulated many of the frustrations and concerns shared by Native youth across the country, from climate change to tribal sovereignty. They reminded audience members to think strategically and authentically about how to engage and listen to Native youth in their communities. For several of the Champs, this marked the first time they had attended or participated in an NCAI event, a useful avenue to gain a broader understanding of the concerns and priorities of the organization and tribal governments going into 2025.
Following the SOIN, Champs had a chance to work one-on-one with Jourdan Bennett-Begaye, managing editor of ICT (formerly Indian Country Today). Jourdan led the Champs through a Communications 101 training, complete with on-camera interview practice for each of them. Afterwards, Champs met virtually with former Champion for Change and current Senate Committee on Indian Affairs staffer, Samuel Hiratsuka, who provided useful tips and tricks for the Champs’ upcoming Hill meetings. Samuel listened to each of the Champs as they explained what they were hoping to achieve during their meetings with their state delegation, and offered ideas for how best to use their time.
On Tuesday, the Champs enjoyed some free time exploring the city before rejoining the group for an opportunity to meet with CNAY Board Chair Allison Binney. Allison spent an hour with the Champs getting to learn more about each of their passions and goals and spent some time sharing her experience lobbying for Indian Country on Capitol Hill. Later that day, the Champs joined together with the NCAI Youth Commission Officers to meet with 2018 Champion for Change Anthony Tamez, who now serves as an elected official for Chicago’s Police District Council. Anthony guided a one-hour public speaking workshop, helping attendees hone their skills ahead of that evening’s reception. Following the workshop, the Champs and Youth Commissioners had a chance to engage Kaya Henderson and Pete Weber, leadership of the Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations (CRG). Kaya and Pete listened as the Native youth leaders shared their perspectives, ideas and feedback for how the new Center plans to support and amplify the voices of youth across the country in the coming years.
While snow started to pile up on the DC streets, the five Champs took to the stage during a joint NCAI and CNAY evening reception, Bridging Generations, Building Action. Moderated by NCAI Youth Commissioners and former Champions for Change Wambli Quintana and Jovi Williams, the Champs spoke about their hopes, dreams, ambitions and passions. Each discussed their platform and the reasons they became a Champion for Change. They shared their perspective with the crowd of tribal leaders, NCAI youth attendees and DC locals, and implored the audience to find meaningful, authentic ways to listen to Native youth.
The following morning, the Champs took to Capitol Hill for a daylong journey meeting with their state delegation and staffers. Katie met with a staffer of Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to advocate for more funding of IHS services. Lourdes spoke with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) about the border wall and impacts of DHS on her tribe’s (Tohono O’odham) territory. Lily met with Senator Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) General Counsel to hear about their office’s priorities for the year, and how to advocate for policies that would support her community in a bipartisan fashion. Josh was fortunate to meet with both of his Representatives, Ed Case (D-HI) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI), and well as Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI). In each of his meetings, Josh advocated in support of the federal Clean Slate Act, an extension of his work for automated expungement processes across the United States. After meeting with Representative Nick Begich (R-AK), Maiyu was joined by her fellow Champs for a meet and greet with Senator Lisa Murkowski (D-AK), Chair of the Senate Committee of Indian Affairs, who spoke with each Champ about their passions and interests.
The five Champs also attended the Indian Affairs Committee hearing, greeted by opening remarks from Sen. Murkowski noting how many members of the public were in attendance. Participants heard testimony from members of the Senate Committee, NCAI President Mark Macarro, National Indian Health Board Alaska Area Representative William Smith, Native American Financial Officers Association Board President Rodney Butler, National Indian Education Association Board President Kerry Bird and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement CEO Kuhio Lewis. Witnesses spoke about the need for the Committee to uphold trust and treaty responsibilities to Native tribes, as well as the need for increased attention and focus on public safety for Native citizens and more self-governing when it comes to education.
The Champs ended their week with evaluations, reflections and on-camera interviews about their experience on Thursday before a fun night with CNAY staff and partners at Topgolf. Champs shared that the week marked an inspiring and hopeful recharge for the year ahead.
