Written by Zoe Bashkin: ILP Fellow

In the midst of media chaos, uncertain climate futures, and economic instability, our youth are facing both complex and unprecedented challenges. Our Tribal partners have always known the importance of cultivating and empowering youth to be future leaders through knowledge sharing, cultural immersion, and granting opportunities. Our Indigenous Lands Program (ILP) aims to be a convener of opportunities and funding to lighten the burden of systemic barriers that prevent Indigenous youth from career and community-based opportunities.

As a dedicated partner, TWP is committed to providing access for our Indigenous youth to participate in internships, projects, summits, and career readiness programs. Last week, TWP co-hosted the 2024 Tribal Forest and Fire Summit in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. Staff newly entering careers in the Tribal workforce were invited to participate and use their voice and experiences to curate a more equitable future for Indigenous youth. What we learn from our youth is fundamental to how we will shape future opportunities, events, and healing.

TWP’s goal of cultivating gender equity in our projects is reflected in our scholarships for three Indigenous women at Colorado State University to partake in the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd Project. Future forecasts of much-needed careers in bison herd operations are critical for us to play a role in cultivating and investing in Indigenous youth. We hope that this pilot initiative will catalyze more support and financial assistance to continue this investment in the future, but also more importantly, elevate Indigenous women’s voices into the formation of our conservation-based leaders today and for the future.

Youth are often given the opportunity to learn about problems and told that they will address them in the future. However, equipping Indigenous youth with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities today will make for an empowered upcoming generation of Indigenous leaders, teachers, politicians, artists, activists, resource managers, and more. They are the change we need today, and we look forward to standing alongside them to support their work.