Teressa Baldwin has been directly impacted by suicide and wanted to take action to help reduce the rate of suicide in her home state of Alaska. As a junior in high school, Teressa was appointed by...
Champions of Change: Native American Youth Leaders
In honor of the National Native American Heritage Month, the White House honored eleven Native American Youth leaders as Champions of Change. These young people are Champions in their tribes and communities as they work to improve the lives of those around them through innovative programs that help others, raise awareness of important issues like suicide and bullying prevention, energy efficiency and healthy eating. Watch the video from the Champions of Change discussion with White House and Administration officials which focused on the great work that these young people do every day.
Morgan Fawcett
Tlingit and Haida
Morgan Fawcett was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) when he was 15 years old. At the time of his diagnosis, Morgan knew that he...
Levon Totsohnii Thomas is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has been actively engaged with the Navajo Nation Government. Levon currently...
Madeleine Sayet keeps her culture alive by telling the stories of her tribal ancestry through storytelling and plays. Beginning as a teenager, Madeline spent summers creating and teaching shadow...
When Desiree Vea returned home to Hawaii in 2009 after attending college in New York, homelessness was at its highest since 1997, with its highest rates among Native Hawaiian. Moved by the needs...
Iko’tsimiskimaki “Ekoo” Beck is an advocate against bullying and after earning the My Idea Grant from AT&T and America’s Promise Alliance, she was able to fund her project “Inspire to Lead.”...
Emmet Yepa from the Jemez Pueblo tribe in New Mexico, is an environmental advocate in his tribe and wants to find solutions to help educate his people and future generations about the importance...
Lorna Her Many Horses is dedicated to honoring the American Indian soldiers and veterans who serve this country at a higher per capita rate than any other ethnic group. She has worked with elders...
Tiffany Calabaza
Kewa (formerly Santo Domingo Pueblo)
Colorado Springs, CO
Tiffany Calabaza is currently a student at Colorado College and has helped bring renewable energy...
Cassandra Candice Steele
Pinoleville Pomo Nation
Cassandra Steele started her tribe’s first traditional Pomo dance group and continues to work with a youth group she started to...
Dallas Duplessis is an advocate for healthier eating on her reservation. After seeing firsthand the negative effects of unhealthy eating habits, Dallas was focused on making a difference. Dallas...