Building tomorrow's leaders at the Youth Leadership Summit

Hopi students Audrey Honanie and Kenesha Nauywaima utilize leadership training skills to face their fears—in this case, a fear of heights (Courtesy photo).

Hopi students Audrey Honanie and Kenesha Nauywaima utilize leadership training skills to face their fears—in this case, a fear of heights (Courtesy photo).

SANTA FE, N.M.-Overcoming apprehension to climb a wall several times her own height, Kenesha Nauywaima, a sixth-grader from Hopi Day School, discovered in herself the ability to be large in determination, courage and spirit-all part of the goal of the Futures for Children 2007 Youth Leadership Summit. Working with her partner Audrey Honanie from Moenkopi Day School, the two girls encouraged one another to face their fears, work together and successfully climb the wall.

Kenesha and Audrey were two of more than sixty students participating in the high ropes challenge as part of the Futures for Children Youth Leadership Summit on March 9 and 10. These Youth Leadership students, grades four-seven, traveled from the Hopi, Navajo and Pueblo tribes to participate.

Held annually, The Youth Leadership Summit is hosted by Futures for Children, a non-profit organization based in Albuquerque, N.M., as part of its Youth Leadership program. Youth Leadership is a fun, hands-on approach designed to encourage and enhance Native American students' skills, self confidence and leadership abilities.

Futures for Children provides free curricula, training and continued support to each Youth Leadership group as well as hosting an annual Summit. Beginning in 1986 with just a handful of students enrolled, the Youth Leadership program has grown to an enrollment of nearly 1,000 students.

"The Youth Leadership Summit celebrates all the hard work these young people put into making their communities better," says Paul Brown, Futures Youth Leadership Director. "We should never underestimate the vision and leadership that can be found in our youth."

The Summit included student presentations on successful community action projects they completed within the past year, and a mural painting project based on the theme of the Summit "Be the change you wish to see in the world. Led by Bob Nakaidinae of Red Journey, students also learned about and competed in Indigenous games.

"At the beginning of the day Bob sat the students in a circle and asked them to name Native American leaders. Their answers included Geronimo, Popé and Crazy Horse," recalls Brown. "At the end of the Summit he once again sat the students in a circle and asked them to name Native American leaders. One by one, they each answered, 'Me!'"

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