Alina Sanchez: Leading with Culture, Courage, and a Commitment to Youth Empowerment
Michuksüs, oya set Alina Sanchez.
Hello, my name is Alina Sanchez. I am a 17-year-old proud citizen of the Wilton Rancheria Tribe, and I’m honored to serve as the Pacific Area Representative on the 2025–2026 National UNITY Council Executive Committee.
Entering her senior year at Cristo Rey High School, Alina maintains a 3.8 GPA while serving as Student Body President. With plans to continue her education at San Diego State University, she aims to deepen her involvement in leadership and cultural advocacy, using her voice to uplift Native youth across academic and community spaces.
Alina’s passion for education and leadership is reflected in her many academic honors, including awards in Algebra I, English, U.S. History, American Literature, and poetry. She was recognized as “Shadow Host of the Year” and received a national College Board Award for academic excellence. Her extracurriculars are just as impressive—she serves as President of Student Government, is a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Danza Azteca Culture Club, and the Baking Club, and plays for the Women’s Varsity Soccer Team, which won the 2024 CIF Championship.
Alina’s leadership extends far beyond her school. From 2022 to 2024, she worked at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California providing support to families during challenging times. In 2024–2025, she worked at Dignity Health’s Collaborative Learning Center, assisting medical and educational professionals—an experience that strengthened her independence, empathy, and civic engagement.
An unwavering advocate for Indigenous rights and visibility, Alina has served as Secretary of the Future Leaders Council of Wilton Rancheria and is a longtime member of the Native Sisters Circle. She is active in several statewide and local initiatives, including:
- California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN)
- HYBRID NCNYJ Emerging Organizers
- Native American Leadership Advisory
- Native Youth of Sacramento
- Sacramento City Unified School District’s American Indian Education Program
- Sacramento Native American Health Clinic Programs
Through these platforms, Alina has addressed key issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse prevention, mental health, youth leadership development, and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) crisis. She has also championed Feather Alert systems to increase awareness and response efforts for missing Indigenous persons.
Her advocacy has led her to major events like the Alcatraz Sunrise Ceremony, the Inaugural Native American Heritage Month Parade, and the Women’s Foundation of California Legislative Reception. In 2024, she was interviewed by ABC10 during Native American Heritage Month to discuss the importance of Indigenous visibility and representation. She has proudly worked alongside Assemblymember James Ramos, advocating for vital legislation including AB 1314 (Feather Alert), AB 8, and AB 564, all centered on protecting Indigenous communities and expanding support for Native youth programs.
Alina’s mission is grounded in social justice, cultural pride, and the belief that Native youth deserve to lead boldly and unapologetically.
“When Indigenous youth raise their voices with pride and purpose,” Alina says, “they not only honor our ancestors but also shape the future of our nations.”
With every step, Alina is representing her people, inspiring her peers, and leading a movement of change—one youth at a time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]