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Akwesasne man recognized as 2016 Champion for Change in Washington, D.C.

Posted 2/25/16

AKWESASNE -- The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY), a policy program at the Aspen Institute, recognized an Akwesasne man as one of their 2016 Champions for Change this week in Washington, D.C. …

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Akwesasne man recognized as 2016 Champion for Change in Washington, D.C.

Posted

AKWESASNE -- The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY), a policy program at the Aspen Institute, recognized an Akwesasne man as one of their 2016 Champions for Change this week in Washington, D.C.

Brayden White, 21, received the honor.

CNAY says Champions for Change, inspired by a White House initiative, is designed to shine a spotlight on positive stories in Indian Country, promote hope among Native American youth, and expose young people to leadership develop opportunities.

CNAY and its founder and chairman, former U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan hosted two public events to celebrate and honor White and four others, whose efforts include suicide prevention, health promotion, language preservation and adaptive sports for those with disabilities.

The champions were announced on Tuesdayduring a public event at the Aspen Institute and were also recognized during a reception with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to celebrate CNAY’s fifth anniversary later that evening.

"Our Champions of Change program recognizes Native American youth who are impacting their communities and peers in positive and inspiring ways" said Dorgan, the center’s founder. “We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and will continue to support them as they become the next generation of leaders in Native American communities!”

On February 23, CNAY hosted a panel discussion to announce the five champions and highlight their leadership efforts, which was co-moderated by CNAY’s chairman and founder, Senator Dorgan and CNAY board member and journalist Patty Talahongva. While in D.C., the honorees had meetings with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, White House staff, members of Congress, and other federal agency officials, where they discussed the challenges that their Native youth peers are facing across the country.