Dear Colleagues, We are writing to you today to announce and introduce you to a initiative at the Center for Native American Youth - Champions for Change. Senator Dorgan and our team invite you to engage in our work though this new program. We need you and inspirational Native youth across the country to apply and help spread the word about Champions for Change and the Center. The Champions for Change (CFC) program, a spin-off of a White House initiative, recognizes and encourages inspirational Native youth (ages 14 to 24) working in their tribal or urban Indian communities to promote hope and make a positive impact. The Center is calling for young Native Americans across Indian Country to submit their stories of leadership and service in tribal and urban Indian communities, schools, and programs across the country. Champions include individuals who initiate programs, events, or other efforts to improve the lives of fellow Native youth and Indian Country. The Center invites youth to get creative - submissions can be in a written or video form. These stories will be collected and reviewed by the Center and five finalists will be selected and recognized at a spring 2013 event in Washington, DC. In addition to an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, where finalists will be honored, they will also have an opportunity to participate in a mentorship pairing; serve a two-year term on a newly created Youth Advisory Board at the Center; and be eligible for consideration for a future visit from a member of the Center's board of advisors to their home community to share more about their initiative for change. *Applications can be found at this link: http://cnay.org/Online_Application.html *Champions for Change application deadline is January 31, 2013. Again, we encourage you to share this information with any young leaders who you think would be interested in applying to this new and exciting program. Thank you for your continued support! Sincerely,