PORTLAND — Summer Wildbill is among six Native youth named to the 2026 Champions for Change class by the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute.

CNAY announced the honorees on Jan. 27, recognizing their leadership and impact in their communities.

Wildbill, 21, of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), is a junior at New York University in New York, studying international relations, and joins a cohort of young leaders from across the country who are driving change in areas such as education, mental health, economic development, language revitalization, financial literacy and Tribal sovereignty.

“I am very excited to be part of the 2026 Center for Native American Youth Champions for Change cohort and grateful for the platform and opportunity to advocate for an issue I have been passionate about for several years: financial literacy on reservations,” Wildbill said. “Through this opportunity, I hope to continue sharing my research and work with tribes to highlight the importance of this issue.”

Before pursuing her education in New York, Wildbill served on the CTUIR Youth Council and interned at the East Oregonian newspaper. 

Since then, Wildbill has been committed to advancing culturally relevant financial education for Indigenous communities, according to CNAY. She has researched financial literacy inequities on reservations and developed a financial education app for Indigenous youth, supported by her Tribe and grants.

She has also collaborated with the Federal Reserve Bank to curate curriculum and worked with CNAY as a Remembering Our Sisters Fellow, CNAY noted. Furthermore, Wildbill has experience with the Research Alliance for New York City Schools, the office of Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, and currently interns with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, focusing on global Indigenous policy and advocacy. 

Her work combines research, public service and lived experience to strengthen Indigenous communities and promote long-term economic and educational equity.

Meet the other 2026 Champions for Change

The 2026 class is the largest in the program’s history, according to the CNAY press release. The yearlong program begins next month with “Champs Week” in Washington, D.C., culminating in a public panel discussion on Feb. 10.

Champions for Change highlights Native youth leadership and equips participants to become advocates for Tribal sovereignty and community development. Each year, the program selects Native youth ages 14 to 24 to participate in experience-based learning, advocacy training and public events. Nearly 60 alumni from previous classes remain active in their communities.

Tracy Goodluck, executive director of the CNAY and a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and Mvskoke Creek, said the 2026 class reflects the depth and breadth of Native youth leadership across the country. 

“The wide range of experience and passion these six young leaders demonstrate is a true testament to the depth and breadth of Native youth leadership happening across the nation,” she said. “It is our privilege to facilitate this work and uplift the young people who will collectively shape our futures.”

Among the other cohorts are Sebastian April, 21, a member of the Mi’kmaq Nation from Connecticut, who is studying plant science with a minor in cannabis cultivation at the University of Connecticut. 

In addition, McKaylin Peters, 24, Menominee, from Wisconsin, is pursuing a master’s in organizational leadership at Johns Hopkins University while also serving as executive director of the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin.

Meanwhile, Zianne Richardson, 24, Haliwa-Saponi, from North Carolina, is a second-grade teacher at the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School and holds a master’s in teaching from UNC Chapel Hill. 

Furthermore, Kaylah Toves, 22, of Kanaka Maoli and Acoma Pueblo heritage from Hawaii, is studying government and American studies at Cornell University with a minor in American Indian and Indigenous studies. 

Finally, Moses Wiseman, 24, from the Village of Chefornak, Alaska, is pursuing an executive MBA in strategic leadership at Alaska Pacific University.