Washington, DC – In an announcement today at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Council Winter Session, the White House invited tribal leaders to join the Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) challenge. Earlier this month, the White House launched the Gen-I challenge, an initiative focused on building a bright future for Native youth. Existing elements of the Gen-I challenge include the recently launched Cabinet officials’ Native Youth Listening Tour and a steering committee of Native youth to plan the first ever White House Tribal Youth Gathering.

The White House is inviting tribal leaders to take concrete steps to engage with Native youth in their communities including: working with or creating a youth council; hosting a joint meeting between youth and tribal leaders; or partnering with youth to plan a program to support positive change in their community.

The following tribes have already accepted the Gen-I challenge:

• Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska

• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

• Gila River Indian Community

• Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin

• Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

• Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

• Three Affiliated Tribes