INTRODUCTION
Fig. 1, Walatowa Headstart. 2014
When I first began looking for an issue to cover, I struggled to choose a topic because I realized I didn’t truly know what issues were affecting my community of Jemez. I attend school in Santa Fe and spend most of the week away from home. Even when I return to Jemez, I usually stay outside the village proper, which limits my awareness of what is happening in my community.
This experience made me realize how important it is for youth to stay informed. In Tribal communities, we are told that we are the future leaders. To lead effectively, we must understand the issues we will inherit, the challenges our people face, and the opportunities ahead. We also need spaces to share our ideas with current leaders and decision-makers.
IDENTITY
Lucero, Celeste, “SPA jemez trip”. June 7, 2025
by Jeanette Armstrong
Jeanette Armstrongs lifestyle Is heavily influenced by her community and Okanagan beliefs. Jeanette talks about her identity and where her family's origins start. Through her story she refrences Okanagan words that correlate to a certain part of her life story. Constantly bringing up her dad and grandmother. Every aspect of her life like language, land, community and herself are tied together as one, "Sharing One Skin."
Armstrong, Jeanette. 1996 “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community,” Pp.460-470 in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith(eds.), The Case Against the Global Economy, San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books
Toya, Monica, “X-mas Play 2019”. December 17, 2019
By Joe Suina
In Joe Suinas story he talks about his life before, during, and the end of boarding school days for him as a child. He refers to the time he spent with his grandmother and their simple traditional lifestyle. Joe touches on the harsh topic and realities of boarding schools like punishment with a ruler, language barriers, and how cold the environment of classrooms and teachers were. Towards the end Joe realizes he's beginning to be more in touch with the "white man" lifestyle, rather than a traditional lifestyle.
Suina, Joe H. “‘and Then I Went to School.’” Rethinking Schools, 22 June 2021, rethinkingschools.org/articles/and-then-i-went-to-school/.
Trujillo, Hannah, “Nature Gals”. June 10 2024
Written by B. Tsosie
The article focuses on place names and how people connect to the lands story and the connections. Many indigenous names explain the importance and significance of the lands. The article also explains that using colonizer names can reinforce trauma like El Capitan which is named by an Indian-Killing militia. Indigenous names can help a community reconnect with the land and culture.
Oaster, B. ‘Toastie.’ “How Place Names Impact the Way We See Landscape.” High Country News, 24 Jan. 2024, www.hcn.org/issues/54-5/people-places-how-place-names-impact-the-way-we-see-landscape/.
HISTORY
Toya, Kimora “OGs”. November 20, 2025
Gila River Indian Community
The Gila River Indian Community, is a community that borders Arizona communities like Tempe, etc.. The youth in this community face many challenges Like gang violence and substance abuse. Many community leaders had a hard time finding a solution. In 1987 the community created a youth council. Youth leaders were able to connect with their peers to listen, advocate, and to ultimately find solutions to help with the youth in the community. This shows great success and now Gila River hopes other communities can do the same for their youth.
"Participation in Decision Making; Gila River Indian Community." Gila River Indian Community: Participation in Decision Making, fngovernance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/PDM_GilaRiver.pdf
Toya, Kimora, "Bestfriends”. January 2, 2026
By Aislin Tweedy
This article reflects on the Indian Citizenship Act (1924) where it granted Natives "citizenship"but not voting rights or equality. Ośhay Birdinground is a crow member who talks about the importance of citizenship, equality, and equity. It also talks about Native votes being the most influential for certain races and elections. It always brings out the issues our native communities have faced and prevailed. the important aspect is youth vote and how much power it holds and voting is worth the time.
Tweedy, Aislin. "Native Youth Carry the Torch of Citizenship Act 100 years Later." Opb, OPB, 21 July 2024, www.opb.org/article/2024/07/20/native-youth-citizenship-act-100/.
Toya, Kimora, “Summer Nights”. June 10, 2025
Executive Office of the President
In this article it goes over the history with native children and the education system. It goes over the boarding school era and assimilation had detrimental effects on native youth. Throughout this era many children experienced harsh abuse mentally and physically, this has caused a lot of trauma that we see on reservations to today's date. Many laws have been put in place for Native education but over and over the system fails native youth. these scars on native communities will still be here for future generations.
"2014 Ntative Youth Report."National Archives (Gov.), obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/20141129nativeyouthreport_final.pdf.
CURRENT STATE
Trujillo, Hannah “Interns”. April 9, 2025
Written by Morton D, Linton J, Hatala AR.
This article focuses on indigenous youth participation, focusing on involvement in decision-making processes. The research aims to indetify knowledge gaps and understand the factorss influencing youth engagement. There were a lot of key questions to address the disciplines involved, context, and barriers to participation. The ultimate goal is to establish evidence based practices to improve health equity, promote decolonization, and ensure youth inclusion. The study seeks to build a stronger understanding of how to effectively involve indigenous youth in decisions that affect their well-being.
Morton D, Linton J, Hatala AR. Integrative review protocol for Indigenous youth participation in health equity promotion. BMJ Open. 2022 Jul 21;12(7):e055568. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055568. PMID: 35863835; PMCID: PMC9310184.
Toya, Kimora “Haak'u Sunset”. August 10, 2025
By Tristan Black
In this article it discusses the challenges and barriers NAtive communities face with Civic engagement. Throughout the article it highlights the importance of understanding cultural values, historical experiences, and tribal sovereignty. It discusses three main issues/barriers rural native communities face is historical implications, physical address, and multigenerational group of tribal citizens. Throughout the article it also addresses the lack of youth education with voter I.D. registration, and many tribal governments need to address all of these issues is to improve civic engagement.
Black, Tristan. “Centering Indigenous Values and Addressing Barriers to Native Youth’s Civic Engagement.” Circle at Tufts, 28 May 2025, circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/centering-indigenous-values-and-addressing-barriers-native-youths-civic-engagement.
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
From UNESCO
In this article Indigenous youth at COP 16 highlighted the deep connection between culture, biodiversity, and traditional knowledge. They explained that modernization, resource extraction, and policy decisions often limit their ability to practice traditional ways of life. Youth leaders emphasized the need to preserve culture by passing knowledge from elders to younger generations. they also called for greater support and inclusion of indigenous youth in environmental decision-making and global biodiversity policies.
Dougnon, Georges Theodore. “Youth Fellows Use Communication Tools to Safeguard Culture and Advocate for Social and Environmental Justice.” Cultural Survival, www.culturalsurvival.org/news/youth-fellows-use-communication-tools-safeguard-culture-and-advocate-social-and-environmental#:~:text=July%2022%2C%202025-,Youth%20Fellows%20Use%20Communication%20Tools%20to%20Safeguard%20Culture,for%20Social%20and%20Environmental%20Justice. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
By Georges Theodore Dougnon
The cultural survival Youth Fellows Program empowers Indigenous youth to protect their cultures and advocate for social and environmental justice. Using communication tools like the radio, social media, and storytelling, youth leaders share traditional knowledge and raise awareness about issues affecting their communities. Their projects help preserve indigenous languages, culture and environmental practices while amplifying youth voices globally by connecting local experiences to global advocacy, indigenous youth play an important role in promoting indigenous rights and sustainability.
Dougnon, Georges Theodore. “Youth Fellows Use Communication Tools to Safeguard Culture and Advocate for Social and Environmental Justice.” Cultural Survival, www.culturalsurvival.org/news/youth-fellows-use-communication-tools-safeguard-culture-and-advocate-social-and-environmental. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Toya, Kimora, "Slingshot.img". September 14, 2025
Written by Sarigumba MP, Soriano M, Robsons JP, Quiviquivi I, and Cabrera L
This report explains that indigenous youth play an important role in the future of territorial governance, but their participation is often limited by social, cultural, and structural barriers. Formal education systems, land ownership rules, and traditonal leadership structures can restrict youth involvement in decision-making. Gender inequality can also create additional challenges for young women. Despite all these barriers, youth across Bolivia want greater participation in governance and environmental leadership.
Sarigumba, Maria Paula, et al. “Understanding the Role of Youth in Indigenous Territorial Governance.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 10 Mar. 2026, www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1200434/full.
ACTION PLANS
Toya, Kimora, “Action Plan IMG.1”. December 2, 2025
Action Plan #1
I conducted my first action plan on December 2, 2025, in the HEB kitchen, aiming to be both informative for Jemez Pueblo youth and to provide a space for them to share their ideas on affecting issues. A discussion was held with high school students at SFIS, where a slideshow presented key concerns like language loss, substance abuse, and housing. Many students found the session educational, noting they typically get information from family and neighbors but desire a change for a healthier and safer community, and they were asked about their understanding of these issues and what they think needs to be done.
Toya, Kimora, “COZY.img”. January 5, 2026
Action Plan #2
I conducted my second action plan in the month of April 2026, My initial plan was to speak with students at a local school about community issues, gather feedback, and then discuss youth opinions with our Governor. During this action plan, I presented a slideshow on community issues and the importance of youth involvement in decision making. Afterward, students completed a Google Form. One question asked was "What do you think stops young people from being involved in leadership or decision-making?" and a common response was fear of speaking up to leadership.
BIBLIOGRAPHY