The National Congress of American Indians announced in a release this month that it has created the Youth Ambassador Leadership Program (YALP) to acknowledge and develop the strong leadership capabilities and skills present within Native youth.
The program takes the form of a competition in which two Ambassadors (male and female) and two Under-Ambassadors (male and female) are chosen based on "an oration, contemporary dress, extemporaneous question, cultural presentation and debate," as well as academic performance. Those selected receive a $2,500 scholarship, and a chance to "serve as spokespersons for the NCAI Youth Commission to raise public awareness about the many important issues impacting American Indians and Alaska Native youth throughout Indian Country."
For the list of the winners and details about the program,
click here.
