By Ally Fields and Amelia Aguila - YETI Youth

On June 28, 3,000 Indigenous youth aged 14-24 from around the world gathered in Portland, Oregon, for the Unity Leadership Conference. Four youth from the Copper River Basin attended to gain information and skills about becoming leaders for their Native communities and future generations. The presenters focused on various successful activities to bring people together in support of their culture.

Each participant attended different workshops based on their interests. For example, one presenter discussed cultural medicine. Medicine isn’t just a pill; it encompasses doing things in traditional ways. Events like dancing, singing, and learning your language are all forms of medicine. Engaging in our ancestral ways helps us feel connected. Not only do we need medicine, but we also need to unite our communities. Being cohesive and taking actions together heals us and pushes us forward.

Events like this are held for youth so we can learn and prepare as the next generation of leaders. This should be important to our community so people can support and lift the youth up. Often, teens are seen as useless, lazy, and attached to their phones, but in reality, teens have creative solutions, an abundance of energy, and an understanding of what is relevant and impactful.

If we were the leaders of today, we would focus on our Ahtna culture. For example, we would spend time and money giving back to our community gardens and other traditional harvest practices. This focus on food is important because food is the source of many problems, and it is something we all need. 

We would also organize more events in our schools. Teens deal with a lot of stress due to technology and social media comparisons. They often misunderstand each other, feel lonely, and isolated. As leaders, we would provide a safe space, resources, and support to lift each other up.

At the conference, we saw different regalia and unique cultures, including various types of beadwork and dances. It was a great opportunity to see that while we have different cultures and ways of knowing or doing things, we also share similar struggles. We wonder, if we all struggle with the same issues, why aren’t we working together to solve these problems?

Without the support, funding, and organization of Lacayah Engebretson, Aiden Fields, and the entire CRNA Youth Development team, this experience would not have been possible. We appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow from this leadership conference. “I hope to be an example for the next generation, and I would be honored to be someone youth in our community look up to,” said Amelia Aguila.

Take some time this week to recognize a teen and their contributions to the Copper River Basin. Remember, they need your support, time, and guidance. Their perspectives are valuable. For ideas on how to support teen leadership, reach out to cmerrick@crnative.org.

The Youth Employment and Training Initiative (YETI) program is run by the Copper River Native Association (CRNA). Participants are Copper Basin youth ages 14-18 who are employed for the summer to work with various regional organizations and agencies. YETIs are learning career skills, gaining mentors, and helping their communities. Tsin’aen, YETIs!