Center Us: State of Native American Youth report celebrates Native American Youth

December 8, 2022

Washington, DC — The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute recently released the Center Us: State of Native Youth report, which celebrates and honors Native youth and the issues they care about.

“Center Us is a reminder to our relatives, partners, and stakeholders to value the voices of Native American youth,” said Executive Director, Nikki Pitre. “In order to create a more free, just, and equitable society, we must include Native youth, they deserve to be centered.”

The report serves as a space for Native youth truths, and stories. With this intentional space, the center hopes it can collectively heal and transform, together.

This year’s report highlights the following Native youth truths and stories:

• Indigenous Framework
• Transforming Systems and Redefining Hope 
• Our Land, Our Connections 
• Social Media and Technology
• Arts and Society

From Native youth authors to artists, the report is a reflection of the work of CNAY, and the future they desire to build collectively. Creative Native, Chelysa Ownes-Cyr (Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux, Pasqua First Nations Plains Cree & Saultea) is the featured cover artist, which features her interpretation of the prompt that focuses on identity and being centered. 

CNAY presents the report as a resource and roadmap to help decrease barriers and increase opportunities for Native youth.

You can read the full report here.