2024/2025 Youth Ambassador Cohort

A group of people stand in a courtyard and pose for the camera

We’re thrilled to share that our 2024/2025 Youth Ambassador Cohort has officially wrapped—and what an incredible year it’s been! 🎉

Over the past twelve months, 34 outstanding youth participated in our yearlong leadership program, growing into confident leaders, developing vital life and job skills, and creating lasting impact in their communities. They built strong peer relationships and mentoring bonds with staff, spoke on panels to advocate for Native youth, shared resources at local events, and took leading roles in organizing and supporting key community celebrations—including the Halloween Block Party & Spooky Walk, Hoopa Community Dinner, Easter Celebration, and more. We are so proud of each and every one of them.

This year, our Youth Ambassadors gained essential skills such as:

  • Resume building
  • Interviewing & conflict resolution
  • CPR & First Aid certification
  • Financial literacy
  • Food handler certification

Youth Leadership Projects were a major highlight of the year, and we’re proud to share three particularly impactful ones:

Ceremonial Regalia Dress Project

Several young people sit on a bench with a ceremonial dress. There is an inset with a close-up of the dress

One of our pods collaborated to create a ceremonial regalia dress for a young girl. They gathered traditional materials like bear grass, pine nuts, and seashells throughout the year and learned how to process and assemble them respectfully. Guided by a cultural consultant, they crafted the regalia with intention and heart—emphasizing the cultural significance and spiritual importance of their work.

Arcata House Fundraiser Project

A couple of people sit at a vendor booth and smile

Another pod organized a fundraiser to support Arcata House, a local nonprofit serving our unhoused community. From the beginning, the youth were hands-on: organizing beads, setting fundraising goals, selecting materials on a field trip to Talismans, and deciding on roles within the team. Each youth challenged themselves—whether by learning to bead, stepping into customer service roles, or engaging with the public to sell their handcrafted jewelry.

They raised $435, which Arcata House will use to purchase essential items like hygiene products, socks, and blankets—helping meet critical needs in our community. Every participant contributed, shared knowledge, and stepped out of their comfort zone—some even discovering a new love for beading.

Young Bucks Drum-Making Project

A small group of people build a traditional drum together

Youth in our Young Bucks program have been hard at work crafting Yurok-style drums for traditional gambling games. They began by learning to work with hide and progressed through rough cuts, final cuts, and sanding—always putting safety first. Through this hands-on cultural project, they not only created instruments that will be used in community gatherings but also deepened their connection to tradition. Along the way, they practiced patience, trust, hard work, and dedication—building a stronger sense of culture, community, and shared purpose.

We are honored to support this incredible group of young leaders. Their passion, creativity, and commitment give us hope—and we know their work is just beginning.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we’re building stronger communities and brighter futures.