Our Programs

At the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY), our culturally-responsive programs, curriculum and methodologies ensure that through our work we:

  1. Recognize, respect and celebrate the inherent worth of Native youth and their unique cultures;
  2. Honor the importance of both peer-to-peer and intergenerational learning spaces; 
  3. Integrate tribal sovereignty; 
  4. Prioritize youth leader voices that represent the needs of their communities; and
  5. Incorporate healing, preserving and uplifting Indigenous ways of being.

Check Out Our Programs

Indigenous Frameworks

We believe Native youth are medicine. Therefore, an Indigenous Framework recognizes the importance of Indigenous ways of knowing for leadership development. CNAY provides Native youth with knowledge, skills and abilities to grow as change agents for a more just and equitable society. Our Indigenous Framework creates space for youth to engage in topics that will strengthen their medicine. Key pillars of our work include:

Being a Good Relative

CNAY is proud to partner with like-minded organizations, youth and communities who prioritize Native youth. We also uplift third-party resources and opportunities across channels, at national meetings and convenings.

Youth Recognition, Engagement & Leadership

This is the foundation of our work. CNAY meets directly with Native youth from across the country to learn about their priorities and the positive change they desire to see in their communities. We provide support through mentorship, resources, hands on training, and technical assistance.

Advocacy, Policy & Research

CNAY supports Native youth as advocates by providing experiential learning opportunities and avenues to engage with leaders from various sectors at the local, tribal, state and federal levels. We work alongside Native youth to develop research, tools and platforms that assure broad access to data that accurately reflects the collective thoughts, opinions, experiences and needs of Native youth from across the country.

Narrative Change

Native youth are worthy of agency. CNAY is proud to serve as a vessel to share their truth. This is accomplished through strategic media and digital partnerships, providing opportunities for youth to craft their own narratives focused on strength, culture and the work they do to improve their communites. CNAY also engages with Native youth every day through its owned digital and social media channels, and has an organic reach of more 40,000.

Explore Our Research & Data

Active Programs

Champions for Change recognizes and amplifies Native youth who inspire one another to make a positive impact in their communities. This yearlong Fellowship provides opportunities to five Native youth (ages 14-24) looking to develop their advocacy and leadership skills on a national scale.

Democracy is Indigenous connects Native youth to pathways of civic engagement. This ongoing initiative is dedicated to mobilizing young leaders (ages 11-24) wishing to enhance civic action at the local, tribal, state and federal levels. Participants benefit from tailored training, a prominent national platform and micro-grant funding. 

Brave Heart Fellowship provides avenues for Native youth to hone their skills as protectors of our lands, waterways and sacred sites, and stewards for food sovereignty. This six-month Fellowship uplifts youth leaders (ages 18-24), while addressing the representation gap and inequities facing Indigenous Peoples in the fight for climate justice.

Remembering Our Sisters supports female & femme youth passionate about advocating and raising awareness for the MMIWGS2+ epidemic. This six-month Fellowship is a virtual storytelling and digital arts program that provides a platform for young Indigenous women and femme-identifying leaders (ages 18-24) to honor our relatives.

California Native Youth Collective is a movement to connect, engage and provide opportunities for Native youth in California. This yearlong Fellowship brings together a network of youth leaders (ages 18-24) from across the state eager to hone their leadership skills, amplify their voices and advocate for their communities.

Creative Native highlights the creativity and expression of young Indigenous artists. Each year, CNAY asks Native youth (ages 5-24) to submit art inspired by a unique prompt. In addition to national recognition, submitters in each age category are eligible to win $300, and one grand prize winner receives $1,000.

Currently Inactive Programs

Below, you can find information about CNAY program(s) that have been sunset. It is our hope that this work can be revived or incorporated into our other programming in the future.

Building Communities of Hope created transformation through advocacy, resilience and culture. This six-month was designed for Native youth (ages 18-24) with lived experience in and/or a passion for reshaping the foster care system.