View pictures from the White House Youth Gathering HERE.

To views as a slide show, click on the play button below the first picture displayed.

July 9, 2015 – Washington, DC – First Lady Michelle Obama addressed more than 1,000 Native American Youth at the first-ever White House Tribal Youth Gathering held at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel as part of President Obama’s Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) initiative and his commitment to improve the lives of Native youth across the country.

UNITY’s Northwest Area Representative Hamilton Seymour had the honor of introducing the First Lady. Seymour is a descendant from the Nooksack Indian Tribe and also serves as the Vice President of the Nooksack Teen Council.

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View First Lady Michelle Obama’s presentation to the White House Tribal Youth Gathering from Washington, DC. The video, which is available HERE, was streamed live on July 9, 2015.

The opening session of the White House Tribal Youth Gathering will be streamed live over the Internet beginning at 9:00 am Eastern time on Thursday July 9, 2015.

You may watch the opening session and other live events until 4:30 pm EST HERE.

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If you are unable to attend the White House Tribal Youth Gathering, consider hosting a watch party!

The attached flyer has additional information for those who may be interested.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the White House Tribal Youth Gathering?

The Gathering will engage hundreds of Native youth in a historic convening in Washington, D.C. to engage in dialogue about their perspectives on issues that affect them and about their ideas for action. Youth will meet and learn from their peers across the country and will have a chance to have their voice heard about ideas to improve the lives of Native youth.

How do I apply to attend the White House Tribal Youth Gathering?

You must apply in order to be chosen to attend and you must have taken the Gen-I Challenge. Visit UNITY’s page at https://white_house_native_youth_gathering.formstack.com/forms/application in order to apply to attend.

The application has 5 parts – you must complete all of them to be considered…

Please refer to the attached document for answers to other Frequently Asked Questions concerning the Gathering.

President Obama announced the first White House Tribal Youth Gathering in a video message played at the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow. UNITY is collaborating with the White House to co-sponsor the event.  Below is an excerpt.

In making his announcement, President Obama stated, “Today I’m pleased to announce that we will once again invite young people to Washington to take part in this summer’s first ever White House Tribal Youth Gathering on July 9th, an event we are proud to host in collaboration with UNITY.” The following video contains the President’s complete statement.

You may apply online HERE to attend the tribal youth gathering.

The following is from a news release issued by The White House, Office of the Press Secretary.

WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, July 9, 2015, the White House will host the first-ever White House Tribal Youth Gathering in Washington, DC, to provide American Indian and Alaska Native youth from across the country the opportunity to interact directly with senior Administration officials and the White House Council on Native American Affairs.

The Tribal Youth Gathering, a collaboration between the White House and UNITY Inc., will continue to build upon the President’s Generation Indigenous (Gen-I) initiative and his commitment to improve the lives of Native youth across the country. President Obama launched the Gen-I initiative at the 2014 White House Tribal Nations Conference to focus on improving the lives of Native youth through new investments and increased engagement. This initiative takes a comprehensive, culturally appropriate approach to ensure all young Native people can reach their full potential.

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