Introduction
The Center for Native American Youth is a national education and advocacy organization that works alongside Native youth to strengthen their leadership, amplify their voices, and improve their health, safety, opportunities, and overall well-being.
History and Background
Founded in 2011, the Center for Native American Youth, commonly known as CNAY, operates as a program of the Aspen Institute. It works with Native young people aged 24 and under living on reservations, in rural villages, and in urban communities throughout the United States.
CNAY was established to ensure that Native youth perspectives receive greater attention within national conversations, public policies, community development, and philanthropic decision-making. Its programming is informed by Indigenous knowledge, cultural identity, youth leadership, and community priorities.
Mission and Purpose
CNAY seeks to create a future in which Native youth can lead healthy and fulfilling lives, enjoy equitable access to opportunity, draw strength from their cultures, and inspire positive change within their communities.
The organization’s principal focus areas include Indigenous youth leadership, health and mental well-being, civic engagement, Tribal sovereignty, environmental and climate justice, cultural preservation, education, child welfare, public policy, storytelling, and community-led development.
CNAY works directly with young people instead of treating them solely as beneficiaries. Native youth help shape programs, research, policy priorities, community projects, and public narratives concerning their lives and communities.
Governance and Structure
As part of the Aspen Institute, CNAY operates within the Institute’s broader nonprofit governance and administrative structure. Its professional staff manage strategy, partnerships, communications, advocacy, research, resource development, and youth programming.
The organization also engages a Board of Advisors and a Youth Advisory Board. These bodies help incorporate Indigenous expertise and youth perspectives into organizational planning, programs, and national advocacy.
CNAY works with Tribal communities, Native-led organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, philanthropic organizations, researchers, and community partners to expand opportunities for Indigenous youth.
Funding and Grants
CNAY’s activities are supported through philanthropy, institutional partnerships, charitable contributions, and funding secured through the Aspen Institute. These resources finance leadership programs, research, convenings, advocacy, training, technical assistance, and youth-led projects.
The organization is not primarily a conventional grantmaking foundation. However, it distributes microgrants and project funding through selected fellowships and civic-engagement initiatives.
Participants in the CNAY Fellowship can receive microgrant support to design and implement community action projects. Democracy is Indigenous participants may also seek funding for projects that promote civic participation and community engagement.
Funded activities may include community events, digital campaigns, written reports, educational resources, Tribal ordinances or resolutions, environmental initiatives, cultural projects, and other youth-led interventions.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Champions for Change is CNAY’s flagship Native youth leadership program. It annually recognizes five or six young Indigenous changemakers aged 14–24 and provides a yearlong experience involving advocacy training, national visibility, leadership development, networking, and participation in the Youth Advisory Board.
The CNAY Fellowship supports Indigenous leaders aged 18–24 through training in sovereignty, leadership, advocacy, project development, and knowledge sharing. Fellows receive technical assistance and microgrant funding to implement community action projects.
Brave Heart prepares Native youth to protect lands, waterways, sacred sites, and Indigenous food systems. The program connects youth leadership with environmental responsibility, climate justice, cultural knowledge, and food sovereignty.
The California Native Youth Collective connects Indigenous youth across California and helps them strengthen leadership skills, amplify their perspectives, and advocate at Tribal, local, state, and national levels.
Remembering Our Sisters supports Indigenous women and femme-identifying youth who are raising awareness of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis. Participants use storytelling, digital arts, advocacy, and cultural expression to honor affected people and families.
Democracy is Indigenous provides free civic-engagement training for Native youth aged 11–24. It helps participants understand Indigenous democracy, strengthen community relationships, participate in public decision-making, and develop civic-action projects.
Building Communities of Hope works with Native youth who have experience with, or an interest in transforming, the foster-care system. The initiative brings together young people, child-welfare specialists, and advocates to develop culturally relevant training and reform strategies.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
CNAY has developed a nationwide network of young Indigenous leaders working in education, mental health, environmental justice, language revitalization, financial literacy, economic development, cultural representation, access to justice, and Tribal sovereignty.
The Champions for Change program has built a network of nearly 60 active alumni. Participants receive opportunities to share their experiences through media partnerships, policy discussions, community events, and national platforms.
Through its fellowships and microgrants, CNAY has supported youth-led reports, community gatherings, awareness campaigns, civic-participation projects, environmental activities, policy proposals, digital media, and cultural initiatives.
CNAY also produces research shaped by Native youth perspectives. For its 2024 Center Us report, the organization gathered information from approximately 1,000 Native youth and conducted eight focus groups involving 65 participants to explore priorities including culture, mental health, access to resources, and civic engagement.
Conclusion
The Center for Native American Youth strengthens Indigenous youth leadership by combining culturally grounded education, advocacy training, research, storytelling, civic participation, and microgrant support. Through its national programs and community partnerships, CNAY helps Native young people influence policies, lead community projects, preserve cultural knowledge, and create healthier and more equitable futures.
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