Young leaders are united by a desire to improve their communities

POSTED ON Jan 24, 2025

The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) has announced that in response to the ongoing wildfire crisis in Los Angeles and Southern California, which is home to the largest urban Native population in the U.S., CNAY is offering five $1,000 micro-grants to Native youth (ages 18-24) who want to help rebuild their community.

According to CNAY, the funds can be used for community feeds at relief events, clothing drives or distributions, food/water distribution, community healing convenings, and rebuild planning meetings.

Earlier this month, CNAY at the Aspen Institute announced the Champions for Change class of 2025, featuring a cohort of five Native youth who are making impactful changes within their communities.

Founded in 2013, Champions for Change is a Native youth leadership initiative highlighting positive stories of impact from Indian Country.

Each year, CNAY selects five inspirational youth, aged 14 to 24, from across the country to serve as Champs, providing them with experience-based learning and tailored advocacy training.

These young leaders are united by a desire to improve their communities.

The 2025 class joins a decade-strong Champions for Change program with more than 50 active alumni. This year’s selected Champs reflect the diverse cultures, bright futures, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples in the United States.

Their focus areas encompass increased access to justice resources in Native communities—particularly for the Pasifika diaspora—improving Indigenous healthcare systems, environmental rights, tribal recognition, art, literacy, and cultural representation.

“Our team is proud to recognize a new class of Champs. The diversity of experience and passion these young leaders exhibit is a true testament to the power of Native youth,” said CNAY Associate Director of Youth Programs Cheyenne Brady-Runsabove (Sac & Fox Nation). “We look forward to working with each of them and supporting their efforts to enact the change they wish to see in the world.”

The 2025 Champions for Change are:

Joshua Ching (Native Hawaiian), age 20, from Hawaii, studying Political Science and Ethnicity, Race & Migration at Yale University.

Maiyuraq (Maiyu) Jones (Native Village of Unalakleet), age 20, from Alaska, studying Environmental Science at Western Washington University.

Katie Lynch (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), age 23, from Michigan, a PhD student in Health Infrastructures & Learning Systems at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Lily Painter (Kiowa/Winnebago), age 23, from Oklahoma, an artist and storyteller working towards her bachelor’s degree at the University of Oklahoma.

Lourdes Pereira (Hia-Ced O’odham/Tohono O’odham), age 24, from Arizona, an Arizona State graduate working for her tribe and the Administration for Native Americans.

CNAY at the Aspen Institute is a national organization that collaborates with Native youth—ages 24 and under—on reservations, in rural villages, and in urban spaces across the country to enhance their health, safety, and overall well-being.

Rooted in culture, the vision is for all Native American youth to lead whole and healthy lives, be honored as the leaders they are, and possess the resources and agency to create the world they deserve.