Free Native American Youth Wellness & Leadership | CNAY
The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) is a Native-led national policy and youth-development organization based at the Aspen Institute. Founded by former Senator Byron Dorgan and led by Native staff, CNAY works to improve the lives of Native youth ages 24 and under through leadership development, peer-to-peer storytelling, mental wellness initiatives, and a national platform that lifts up the voices of Indigenous young people. CNAY collaborates with We R Native, Native Wellness Institute, and other partners on the Native Youth Are Medicine campaign.
What to Expect
CNAY’s programs include Champions for Change — an annual fellowship that brings together inspiring Native youth leaders for training, advocacy, and storytelling — and partnerships with We R Native and Healthy Native Youth on wellness and peer-support content. CNAY’s resource hub features mental health and wellness materials designed for and by Native youth: stories from peers, culturally grounded coping tools, and pathways into Indigenous-led leadership development. The Center also runs convenings and webinars that connect Native youth nationally and amplify Indigenous youth voice in policy spaces.
Who This Group Is For
CNAY serves American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian youth and young adults ages 24 and under, plus the educators, tribal leaders, mental health providers, and family members who support them. The Champions for Change fellowship is open to Native youth nominated for their leadership in their own communities. CNAY’s resources are open to all Native young people across the country — including youth living in tribal communities, in urban Indian populations, and on or off reservation.
Why Peer Support Works
Native young people often describe how meaningful it is to see other Native youth visibly leading, telling their own stories, and shaping the conversations that affect their communities. CNAY’s model centers Native youth as leaders, not as recipients of services — a stance that has measurable impact on identity, mental health, and engagement. Combined with peer-to-peer content from We R Native and the cultural healing work of Native Wellness Institute, the Center contributes to a layered Indigenous youth wellness ecosystem.
How to Join
CNAY’s resources are free. Visit cnay.org to learn about Champions for Change, browse the resource hub, sign up for the newsletter, and find partner programs. Native youth interested in leadership and storytelling opportunities can apply to Champions for Change through the site. CNAY is headquartered at the Aspen Institute in Washington, DC, and works with partners across Indian Country.