Indigenous Youth Council

Jeremy is a member of the Mescalero Nde Youth Council that is associated with the Mescalero Prevention Program. The Nde Youth Council helps the Mescalero Apache youth by offering workshops providing motivational youth activities and educating youth in the community. The focus is to help the youth get involved and to find a better way to cope with mental and physical health rather than to go a different route, which may lead to drug addiction, alcohol, and suicide. 

Alysia currently serves as the Director of Membership and Outreach for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women She also serves as the Co-Chair of the All Pueblo Council of Governors Youth Committee and is a Board Member for Naeva (formerly known as NAVA-EP). She is also the Female Co-President for the Kewa TRUTH Youth Council and former Co-President of the UNM Kiva Club. Alysia is a 2020 recipient of UNITY’s 25 under 25 Award and an Uplift Climate Fellow. She is passionate about creating empowerment through community building, revitalizing and maintaining Indigenous language and culture, and making positive social change in Native communities beginning with our young people.

Trinity Roybal (she/her) is from P’osuwaegeh Owingeh (Pojoaque Pueblo/Water Drinking Place Village). Trinity is currently a freshman at the University of New Mexico and is interested in finding ways to get Native youth engaged on issues such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, language revitalization, and food sovereignty.

In her free time, Trinity enjoys drawing, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to continuing to take part in the council and connecting with Indigenous youth from across the state to bring much-needed resources to Tribal communities.  

Triston B. Black is a citizen of the Navajo Nation. Triston strongly advocates for the Diné (Navajo) language and culture, tribal higher education, and protecting the Native Vote across Indian Country. His educational journey includes a M.A. in Indigenous Education from Arizona State University and a dual Associate & Bachelor degree in Diné Studies, with a certificate in the Navajo Cultural Arts from Diné College, the first tribal college in the U.S. 

Indigenous research, tribal higher education, and elevating Indigenous scholars are strong pillars for building relations in our tribal communities and Triston aims to realign traditional methods of inquiry in modern research practices. Mr. Black serves on the Center for Native American Youth Advisory Board and Native alumni delegation for the Western Governors Association and Foundation. 

Kinyaa’áanii nishlį’ – Tó’díchii’nii bashishchiin – Bit’ahnii dashicheii – Tł’ïzí’łání dashinálí. In Navajo, his clan relations are of the Towering House clan, born for the Bitter Water clan, maternal lineage is the Folding Within Arms clan, and paternal lineage is the Many Goats clan. He comes from the community of Tsaile, Arizona. 

Taneya Garcia (she/her) comes from Santa Ana and Acoma Pueblos. Taneya is a recent college graduate of Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin where she obtained her undergraduate degrees in the fields of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies in June 2022. While at Lawrence University Taneya was a part of many organizations including the President of Lawrence University Native American Organization (LUNA). She is passionate about Indigenous Education, language reclamation, and learning about the ways she can give back to her community through education and by addressing educational inequities for Native students. Taneya recently accepted the position of the 2022-2023 Institute for Policy Studies New Mexico Fellowship in Washington D.C. where she will spend a fellowship year working with the Poor Peoples’ Campaign and return to New Mexico to work with a non-profit organization. Outside of academics and her, career Taneya enjoys weightlifting, cooking, running, and spending time with her family. She looks forward to supporting her communities through conversations with the youth and providing resources to her communities surrounding Indigenous education, language reclamation, and holistic wellness. 

Taylor Lucero (She/Her/Hers) is from K’awaika Hanu, also known as Laguna Pueblo. She is a recent graduate of the University of Denver (DU) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology while minoring in Critical Race & Ethnic Studies. During undergrad, Taylor served as a Co-Chair President and Publicist for the DU Native Student Alliance. She also served as an undergraduate student representative on the DU Native American Indigenous Leadership Council and DU Sand Creek Memorial team. These roles aimed to give strategic insight and helpful suggestions on better serving, recognizing, and supporting Native American students, staff, and faculty at DU while educating the public about the historic settler violence against the Indigenous Nations of Denver, Colorado. Taylor is also a recipient of the New Mexico Davis Scholarship, a full-ride scholarship provided to first-generation students in New Mexico. Taylor is currently a 2022 Summer intern for the College Horizons Program, a non-profit organization, and college readiness program that helps prepare Native and Indigenous scholars for higher education. Taylor looks forward to learning and building community in the Indigenous Youth Council and using her knowledge to address the topics of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit relatives (MMIWG2S), mental health, and other issues affecting Indian Country today. 

She is in her senior year at Bernalillo High School, a member of the Hanu Youth Council, track & field, and cross-country teams. She is focused on how youth are facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and finding a balance between duties at school and home. Cheyenne enjoys hanging out with her 3 brothers. Cheyenne is excited to be a part of the Indigenous Youth Council. 

Andrea Toledo (she/they) is Water Clan from the Pueblo of Jemez and represents the Laguna, Hopi, and Santa Ana tribes. She currently attends Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute with the hopes of completing her Liberal Arts degree. She works alongside Pueblo Action Alliance as a Youth Communications Organizer and Co-Leads a Cultivating Roots and Resistance Fellowship. She is also the Female Co-Chair for the Young Chefs of America: Indigenous Food Sovereignty Coalition.  In her free time, she loves to write poetry and create graphics for her small business, Cloud Top Creations. She also enjoys planting fruits and vegetables at her family field in Jemez, creating new recipes, cooking with her partner, and exploring the great outdoors. She is empowered by the thought of creating a positive future for Indigenous youth by amplifying their voices and protecting their cultural lifeways. She believes that IYC will provide tools and experiences to help pursue her dreams for the children in Indigenous communities.

 Joel Biakaiddy, Navajo Nation  

Joel Biakaiddy graduated from Crownpoint High School. He was the editor for CHS’s Eagle Beat Newspaper, he also participated in New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering, Science, and Achievement (MESA). He enjoys math and science. Joel was also a  Student Ambassador for the Human Health Sciences Pathway at CHS. During his senior year Joel was an intern for Gallup McKinley County Schools, he worked at Gallup Eye Group as a technician intern.  

Joel  has stated that he wants to attend college and use the knowledge that he will gather, to bring that knowledge home. He will use his college education to create a stronger Crownpoint. Joel will attend Fort Lewis College, and study Communication Design. There he plans on expanding his horizons and trying new things, and meeting new people.  

Keshi Ko don’ dewan ah’deya’yeh! Ho Joseph Harker Leshinah. Hom anodi’weh donashi:kwe deyan kwa’lashi’bitchi:kwe awan cha’le. Hello, my name is Joseph Harker, my clans are badger and child of a crow. I am 20 years of age. I am from the Pueblo of Zuni. I am currently a junior at the Colorado State University-Pueblo. Where I am studying Biology-Pre-Med. Here I also am on the Cross County/ Track & Field teams. I am happy to be a part of this cohort to make our youth happy!

Kiera Toya, 21, is an enrolled member from the Pueblo of Jemez. On the UNM campus she is involved with the UNM American Indian Student Services Ambassador program, UNM Kiva Club, and Native American Studies Indigenous Research Group. Outside of school, serves on the All Pueblo Council of Governors Youth Committee, staff with Native Health Initiative, and 2022 UNITY 25 Under 25 Leadership Award recipient. She hopes to continue to inspire and be an advocate for all Indigenous youth.  

My name is Delilia Gonzales and I am from the Pueblos of San Ildefonso and Santa Clara. I am a Colorado State University sophomore with a declared major in Natural Resource Management. I currently serve on campus as the secretary for the AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) club and a member of Key Plus and the Equity & Leadership in Natural Resources Learning Community. In my community of San Ildefonso Pueblo, I am a co-admin to the Facebook group page San I Strong which has helped me give back to the community and members. I enjoy being around family and participating in traditional activities that take place. My main goal is to sustain and conserve the natural resources of my community and others that are vital to our way of life as Native people.

Dáanzho Hello, Lexie Stormy Quintana shizhi. Shi máá Cherrise Quintana mizhi. Shi ka’ éé Byron Quintana mizhi. Shi na’áá Mathis Quintana mizhi. Shi dadee Kelsey doo Jazlyn Quintana mizhi. Náadin she i shi. Llanerdo nishli. Loosi á’ shi gha. Abáaschi meoyisi.

My name is Lexie Quintana. I’m 20 years old. I have 3 siblings and am fortunate enough to have both my parents. I’m a member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation. I’m from Dulce, New Mexico. For high school, I attended Navajo Preparatory School my freshman, and sophomore year, and transferred my junior year to Dulce High School. I participated in cross country, golf, and track & field. At Navajo Prep I participated in the Nataanii Youth Council, Speech & Debate, and a leadership program. I have also attended national youth conferences including the national UNITY conference where we also presented on health and wellness and a summer youth practicum hosted by Native American Fish & Wildlife Society at Estes Park, CO.

Some of my other accomplishments include being crowned Little Miss Jicarilla Apache twice, being a part of hoop dancing group, and being my classes representative my senior year. I am now currently Vice President of the Archery Club. I attend the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, NM and am a Studio Arts major. My hobbies are drawing, painting, playing the piano, listening to scary stories, beading, working out, and running. I enjoy going on hikes, watching animes/kdramas, singing, traveling, and experiencing new things.

Yá’át’ééh shí eí Rance Wartz yíníshyé. Bit’ah’nii nishłį. Tótsohnii bashishchiin. Tséníjíkiní dashicheii dóó Tódik’ozhi dashinalí. My name is Rance Wartz. (He/Him) I am 16 years old. I am Diné and I am currently attending Navajo Preparatory School. I am originally from Counselor, New Mexico but reside in Whippoorwill, Arizona. I am a member of student senate and take part of various leadership activities at my school. I do my best to support those around me, especially at home.  

In my past time, I enjoy writing, drawing, and spending time in the great outdoors. I hope to be an advocate for those who don’t have a voice in Indian country. I look forward to making a change within our communities driven by our youth.  

CarlyJo Chavarria is from the Pueblo of Santa Clara and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. She is a graduate from New Mexico Highlands University and holds a BA Degree in Political Science with a Law Emphasis. Currently, she is the Deputy Director for the Department of Youth and Learning for Santa Clara Pueblo and sits on the Board of Directors for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. As a previous Miss Indian New Mexico Teen title holder, she has seen the importance of young indigenous voices needed across every table. In her downtime, she enjoys the time with her son, family, and cattle. Through all this, she hopes to create a foundation that can help more indigenous youth be a part of the table. 

Ya’at’teeh/ a’meh’da’hopa  

My name is Jolene Tsinnijinnie. I am both Navajo and Pueblo from Kewa. I am a university student at  New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. While pursuing my degree I am looking at different opportunities that will allow me to help my community. In school I take part as secretary in NMHU Native American club to help other Indigenous students and bring attention to the Native community. I also enjoy time to be with my family, be in nature, and stay close to my community.  

My goal is to help Indigenous kids and relatives and to serve my community as a lawyer in the future and protect their rights in pursuit of justice. I am grateful to be able to be in the IYC so I can help my community to preserve language, help educate others on their rights, and protect their well-being and mental wellness.