First Lady Michelle Obama speaks to Native American youth at the first White House Tribal Youth Gathering. She told hundreds of Native American youths that they are all precious and sacred and that “each of you was put on this earth for a reason”
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Video Here
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Brooke Overturf, of the Navajo Nation from Window Rock, Arizona, listens to First Lady Michelle Obama speak
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Michele Richinick: Michelle Obama to Native American Youth: The Country Needs You
More than 1,000 Native American children gathered Thursday for the first-ever Tribal Youth Gathering at the White House, where first lady Michelle Obama called them precious and sacred members of society. “Each of you was put on this Earth for a reason. Each of you has something that you’re destined to do, whether that’s raising a beautiful family, whether that’s succeeding in a profession or leading your community into a better future,” she said. “You all have a role to play and we need you.” The first lady touched upon the historical struggles of Native Americans: being forced from lands they had lived on for generations, requiring young people to attend boarding schools designed to strip them of their cultural traditions and outlawing their religions and traditional ceremonies. She urged the individuals to learn about their elected officials, and run for local, state or federal office if they aren’t satisfied with their current efforts. “Make no mistake about it, your customs, your values, your discoveries are at the heart of the American story,” she told the crowd. “And yet, as we all know, America hasn’t always treated your people and your heritage with dignity and respect.”
The meeting was part of President Barack Obama’s vow to remove barriers that make it hard for Native American children to succeed. The children came from 230 tribes in 42 states to attend the inaugural summit and meet with the first lady, cabinet officials and members of the White House Council on Native American Affairs. They planned to discuss issues ranging from cultural protection and revitalization, to tribal justice and economic opportunity. Along with the meeting on Thursday, the White House announced several commitments aimed at ensuring Native children can thrive. DOI will issue $995,000 to be distributed to 20 tribal colleges and universities, and will award seven tribal applicants a total of $1.45 million in new funding to build their tribal education departments. And in September, there will be a second Native Languages Summit to identify ways to preserve and revitalize Native languages.
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Wearing traditional regalia Little Bear Johnson, a member of the Kickapoo Nation, who is from Shawnee, Oklahoma, dances to a pop song
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The #GenI #NativeYouth Challenge received more than 1,500 inspirational stories from across America: go.wh.gov/PWKjwz
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The First Lady (@FLOTUS) July 09, 20251st Ever WH Native American Youth Conference: 1000+ young ppl - Most inspiring group I will speak w/ all year. #WHTYG http://t.co/pgc87jHKyP
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Cecilia Muñoz (@Cecilia44) July 09, 2025A personal letter from @POTUS #WHTYG #NAJA15 @najavoices http://t.co/eE5v9acQAL
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Paris Burris (@ParisBurris) July 09, 2025****
Gusccavedo Harrison of the Navajo Nation who is from Chinle, Arizona, cheers as First Lady Michelle Obama mentions the Navajo as being among the Nations present as she speaks to Native American youth at the first White House Tribal Youth Gathering
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#NativeYouth are future leaders - let’s knock down barriers and open doors to support their success.SJ #GenI http://t.co/f03Yku3Ick
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Sally Jewell (@SecretaryJewell) July 09, 2025Great to see 1,000+ #NativeYouth from #WHTYG. I encouraged them join our tribal ecoAmbassadors prog & #ActonClimate. http://t.co/wQeMFHALod
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Gina McCarthy (@GinaEPA) July 09, 2025****
Not going to lie at the #WHTYG #GenI @MichelleObama made me almost cry with her hug and speech. ❤️
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malia who? (@malianoheart) July 10, 2025Thank You @SecretaryJewell @SecretaryCastro @GinaEPA for all that you do for Native Youth and Indian Country! #GenI http://t.co/YVMVr3zJEf
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Rory Wheeler (@roarasaurous) July 09, 2025****
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#WHTYG #GenI FLOTUS: vote by vote, eagle feather by eagle feather: countless acts of defiance fueled great movements http://t.co/zJvUbnmEOg
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NCAI (@NCAI1944) July 09, 2025"Make no mistake about it, your customs, values and ways are at the heart of the American story!" - @FLOTUS #WHTYG http://t.co/5E7PittbmP
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Gen-I Challenge (@Gen_Indigenous) July 09, 2025Michelle Obama's words to the tribal youth gathering at the White House are amazing. Giving me chills. #WHTYG
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Aura Bogado (@aurabogado) July 09, 2025****
Shasta Dazen of Whiteriver, Arizona, who is the 53rd Miss Indian Arizona, and Deandra Antonio, right, both of the White Mountain Apache Nation and who serve on the White Mountain Apache youth council, take pictures of First Lady Michelle Obama
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