The 2016 Champions for Change in Washington, D.C. From left, Brayden White, Samuel Slater, Noah Blue Elk Hotchkiss, Vanessa Goodthunder and Christie Wildcat. Photo by Center for Native American Youth / Twitter
The Center for Native American Youth will celebrate its newest Champions for Change in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Five Native youth who are making a difference in their communities have been selected for the honor. This year's class consists of Brayden White, a 21-year-old member of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe; Christie Wildcat, an 18-year-old from the Northern Arapaho Tribe; Noah Blue Elk Hotchkiss, 17, who is Southern Ute / Southern Cheyenne and Caddo; Samuel Slater, an 18-year-old from the Navajo Nation; and Vanessa Goodthunder, a 22-year-old member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community. The young leaders will participate in a panel discussion at the Aspen Institute on Tuesday morning. A reception, featuring remarks from Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, takes place at the Capital Hilton on Tuesday evening.
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