Today, January 12, 2012, the Lincoln Journal Star published an article about NCIA’s Sovereign Native Youth Leadership Program (click here to read the story). The article highlighted the portion of the day when students listened to U.S. District Judge Warren K. Urbom relate his experience serving as the judge for the Wounded Knee trials. In the morning, students met with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, visited U.S. Senator Mike Johanns office, and had lunch at the Governor’s Mansion with the First Lady Sally Ganem and Nebraska State Senators Scott Price, John Harms, Dave Bloomfield, Amanda McGill, and Tyson Larson. In the afternoon, students met with lobbyists Don Wesely of O’Hara Lindsey Government Relations and Frank LaMere, a well-known Native activist and Winnebago tribal member. The day concluded with a presentation from the Lt. Governor, Rick Sheehy, about the role of the Lt. Governor in state governmental affairs.
Each month the Sovereign Native Youth Leadership group, composed of 16 high school students representing the Iowa, Omaha, Ponca, Santee, and Winnebago tribes, attends a field trip in order to build leadership skills and become familiar with various academic and career opportunities. The program is funded through a generous grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. Next month, the Sovereign Native Youth Leadership Program will be hosted by the Winnebago Tribe.
Click here to see pictures from the field trip.
