Cornell Junior Yanenowi “She Guards the Corn” Logan, Cattaraugus resident, Deer clan, gave the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) State of the Native Nations Youth Address at the annual conference on February 21st at the Rasmuson Theater at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Logan gave an empowering speech that touched on the diverse topics Indigenous youth face including representation, decolonizing data and accurate statistics on MMIW cases. “These are just a small fraction of the issues that the youth of Indian Country are taking the lead on,” Logan said. “Our research and passion in these issues has advanced our needs for a platform and that’s why we present you with the youth State of Indian Nations today.”
Seneca Nation Councillors Tina Abrams and Lisa Maybee also attended the annual conference. “We are very proud to be here and to be Native. Yanenowi’s speech was relevant and empowering! Fawn Sharp (NCAI President) gave a chilling powerful speech that we felt in our souls,” stated Abrams.
Logan currently serves as the Co-President of the NCAI Youth Commisson. She has previously served as the Co-Vice Chair of the NCAI Youth Commission. She attended and spoke at the 79th Annual NCAI Convention and Marketplace in Sacramento, CA last fall.
*Stay tuned…read the transcript from Yanenowi’s full speech in the next edition.
