CITC’s Fall Tribal Youth Leadership Summit Empowers Next Generation of Leaders
The future of tribal leadership took center stage this August at CITC’s Fall Tribal Youth Leadership Summit, where emerging leaders gathered to explore how ancestral wisdom can guide contemporary community action. This transformative gathering demonstrated that the strongest leadership emerges when traditional knowledge meets modern innovation.
Honoring Ancestral Knowledge Through Modern Leadership
At the heart of the summit was CITC’s newly developed Generative Leadership competencies—a framework that directly connects contemporary leadership practices with tribal wisdom. Rather than viewing traditional and modern approaches as separate paths, participants discovered how ancestral knowledge provides the foundation for addressing today’s complex challenges.
The Community Action Planning workshops equipped young leaders with systematic approaches to drive positive change in their communities. These sessions went beyond theoretical learning, providing practical tools that participants can immediately apply to address real challenges facing their tribes and communities.
Collaborative Self-Determination in Action
The summit showcased powerful examples of collaborative partnerships that honor tribal self-determination while building bridges with other institutions. Participants learned from CITC’s Youth Education department’s partnership with the Salamatof Tribe, gaining valuable insights into the collaborative planning processes that make meaningful tribal partnerships possible.
The Knik Tribe’s Michael Tucker Learning Campus served as an inspiring model of innovation, demonstrating how tribal self-determination can work hand-in-hand with western educational systems like the Mat-Su School District. This partnership shows that collaboration doesn’t require compromise of tribal values—instead, it can strengthen and amplify them.
Cultural Connection as Leadership Foundation
Cultural connection remained woven throughout every aspect of the program. A particularly meaningful session focused on salmon, exploring its deep history and significance across Alaska Native cultures. These discussions sparked rich conversations about shared heritage and the traditional knowledge that continues to guide communities today.
Participants created beaded salmon leather keychains—a hands-on activity that beautifully illustrated how cultural practices can be integrated with leadership development. This creative work served as both a learning tool and a tangible reminder of the connection between cultural identity and leadership strength.
Traditional Leadership Guiding Modern Advocacy
CITC Board Chair and Executive Director of the Ninilchik Traditional Council (NTC) IvanEncelewski brought the lessons to life by sharing the compelling story of NTC’s fight to maintain their subsistence net rights on the Kenai. This powerful example demonstrated how traditional leadership principles provide the wisdom and strength needed to navigate modern advocacy efforts and protect tribal rights.
Looking Forward
The Fall Tribal Youth Leadership Summit represents more than a single event—it’s part of a broader commitment to nurturing leaders who can honor their heritage while building stronger communities for the future. By connecting traditional wisdom with contemporary leadership skills, CITC is helping ensure that tribal communities have the strong, culturally-grounded leaders they need to thrive.
“I hope these young leaders walked away with a strong understanding of how their cultural backgrounds have equipped them to make positive community change,” said Kaity McAdams, Learning and Development Manager and coordinator of the summit.
The young people who participated in this summit are now better equipped to serve their communities with both practical skills and deep cultural understanding. They represent the future of tribal leadership—one that honors the past while boldly creating positive change for generations to come.
To learn more about CITC’s leadership development programs and upcoming opportunities for young leaders, email TribalPartnerships@citci.org.
Interested in joining the Youth Advisory Council? Submit your application before September 12! https://citci.org/now-recruiting-for-youth-advisory-council-2/