Center for Native American Youth Celebrates Pride

We uplift and celebrate the meaningful contributions of LGBTQ+2S relatives and Native American youth on their journey. The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) honors the sacred path of our LGBTQ+2S relatives, Happy Pride Month. 

This month, the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute created opportunities for LGBTQ+2S to share their narratives and lived experiences. CNAY invited Native youth to share what about their identity makes them proud. Youth from across Indian Country shared with us their narrative—to those who courageously and proudly shared their story with us,we thank you. 

“As a proud member of the LGBTQ+2S community, I recognize that I have a responsibility to keep fighting for the rights of my LGBTQ+2S family,” said CNAY Youth Advisory Board Chair, Mikah Carlos. “For those youth leaders who are working to support LGBTQ+2S rights, the CNAY & Youth Advisory Board supports you and your work. Our vision is for all Native American youth to lead full and healthy lives and encouraging and supporting Native Youth to be proud of who you are is critical to that vision.”

This month, as part of the Tele-Native Youth Webinar series, CNAY provided a platform and discussion with Sherenté Harris (Narragansett Niantic),Two-Spirit & Trans Activist;Somáh Haaland (Laguna Pueblo and Jemez Pueblo) Queer Theater Artist & Activist; TysonJohnston (QuinaultIndian Nation) Vice President; and Nate Lemuel (Navajo Nation) Photographer & Visual Artist.  Be sure to watch on our Facebook page to join the conversations of Tele-Native Youth.

To close this month, we invited 2019 Honorary Champion for Change Congresswoman Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk Nation) to share a special message to Native youth and LGBTQ+2S relatives: