Local News

NORTHWEST INDIAN YOUTH CONFERENCE IN THE METHOW

Mar 31, 2017

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CCT) is pleased to have the opportunity to host the 42nd annual Northwest Indian Youth Conference (NWIYC). This conference will help tribal youth to learn leadership skills and to become positive and proactive leaders of the future. This unique youth conference will engage tribal youth practicing in our customs, provide the opportunity to participate in various traditional events, and includes team-building, pow wows as well as other activities to promote our cultures in the Pacific Northwest Region.

The Colville Tribes has invited outstanding educators, leaders, elders, mentors, professionals, and activists who have experience in motivating and leading our youth to practice holistic wellness to provide inspiring keynote lectures and breakout workshops. The keynote speakers include: Simon Moya-Smith, Dennis Banks, Matika Wilbur, 1491’s, Steven Paul Judd and Dina Gilo-Whitaker.

Historically, the conference has been planned for high-school aged students and has been hosted in an urban environment. Sun Mountain Lodge in the Methow Valley was selected as the location for this year’s event because of the significant historical and cultural ties we have to the Methow area. Holding the conference here will help to create stronger relationships with our traditional and historical territories and the communities that thrive in this place today. CCT would like to extend our gratitude to Sun Mountain Lodge and we are excited to embark on this new friendship and look forward to future endeavors.

The conference is set to begin Sunday, April 2, 2017 and end on Thursday, April 6th at Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop, WA. The Colville Business Council and the Colville Youth Council look forward to enhancing lasting and meaningful relationships with the Tribal Youth of the Pacific Northwest and are grateful to the Methow community for its participation in this event.