On Sunday, the  White House Office of Public Engagement launched the Native American Youth Challenge program.  In a video message, President Obama announced  the challenge at the 2011 UNITY Youth Conference, calling for  young American Indian and Alaska Native leaders to submit  their stories of leadership and service in their  communities.  The stories submitted will be considered  and evaluated based on a demonstrated record of service to  one’s tribe, nation, village, or community.  Young  leaders who have sought to improve their communities are  encouraged to submit stories in one or more of the following  areas:

• Education, Mentorship or Afterschool Programs;  
• Sports, Nutrition or Let’s Move! in Indian  Country;  
• Substance and Alcohol Abuse Prevention;  
• Health and Wellness, including Youth Suicide Prevention;  
• Building Healthy Relationships and Peer Relationships;  
• Cultural Preservation and Native Languages;  
• Anti-Bullying and Personal Empowerment;  
• Self Expression through Arts and Crafts;  
• Emerging Leadership in Government Service; and  
• Economic and Community Development

As a part of  the challenge, a handful of exceptional Native youth community  leaders will be invited to the White House this fall in  conjunction with the activities of Native American heritage  month.  Submissions should include a description of the  leadership initiatives or community programs; the number of  people involved or effected; key examples of success; and  explanations of the barriers or challenges and how they were  overcome.   Simply put, we hope to hear from Native American Youth to learn about how you are working to overcome  the challenges facing your communities – send us your stories!

One great  example of how young people are overcoming the challenges  facing Indian Country is by taking part in the First Lady’s  initiative, Let’s Move! in Indian Country.  Today, the White House Summer South Lawn Series hosted a  lacrosse event for approximately 80 Native American youth from  the Menominee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,  Native Lifelines of Baltimore, as well as local youth from  Annapolis and D.C.  The groups played and learned about  Lacrosse with some of the best players in the game, while also  learning about the origins of the game and cultural traditions  from members of the Onondaga Nation. Let’s Move! in Indian Country strives to bring  together federal agencies, communities,  nonprofits, corporate partners and tribes to end the epidemic  of childhood obesity in Indian Country within a  generation.
 
To learn more about what  the Obama administration is doing in Indian Country and to  sign up for e-mail updates please visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/NativeAmericans