Native Youth Organizations

Have Fun: Native Youth Organizations

Are you interested in reaching out to other Native American youth? Check out these organizations and see if you can connect to others through a Boys & Girls Club, a common cause or sports event.

Running Strong
Running Strong for American Indian Youth, began in 1986, when Christian Relief Services formed a partnership with Olympic Gold medalist, Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota, Sioux). Running Strong helps Native Americans meet their immediate survival needs while also providing programs designed to promote self sufficiency and self-esteem. The programs provided include food distribution and nutrition, water wells, youth programs, cultural and language preservation, and housing assistance.

The Notah Begay III Foundation (NB3)
NB3 was founded by Notah Begay, a Native American (Navajo/Pueblo) professional golfer, and his father. This organization reaches out to Native Americans by providing youth sports programs in Native American communities.

Boys & Girls Club in Indian Country
With over 200 Clubs in Native American communities across the country, Alaska and Hawaii, it may be easier than you think to become part of all the after school fun going on every day in sports, education, health, arts, character building and much more!

United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY)
Members of UNITY are taking charge of their lives by serving others. These Native American youth are making a difference in the areas of community service, heritage, healthy lifestyles and the environment. Learn how you can foster your spiritual, mental, physical and social development and join with others like you.

Native American Sports Council (NASC)
NASC conducts community based multi-sport programs and athlete development programs which enable emerging elite athletes to be identified and developed for national, international and Olympic competition. Find out more about their sports programs and events schedule.

Wings of America
Like to run? In partnership with Native communities, Wings runs clinics, camps and national competitions and uses running as a catalyst to empower American Indian and Alaskan Native youth to take pride in themselves and their cultural identity, leading to increased self esteem, health and wellness, leadership and hope, balance and harmony.

The National Indian Youth Project (NIYLP)
The NIYLP has been empowering the lives of Native American youth for over 25 years. Through year-round adventure-based learning in mid-schools, Project Venture seeks to foster youth leaders who are culturally sensitive and promote healthy lifestyles as an example for future generations.

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Native American Mentoring Initiative
Big Brothers Big Sisters recognizes how important it is for Native American children to have positive role models in their lives—volunteers that understand their circumstances and can help guide them toward a more positive future. The Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Native American Mentoring Initiative is designed to both encourage and recruit greater numbers of Native American children and adults to participate.

Indian Youth of America (IYA)
On a national level, IYA serves Indian youth and families through its summer youth camp program, resource center, newsletter, scholarship assistance and sponsorship of Indian students to leadership programs and sporting events. IYA has sponsored Indian students to participate in leadership and exchange programs.