We are excited to invite you to partner with us in uplifting and inviting youth in your network to apply to the Earth Guardians Indigenous Youth Initiative (IYI) Training program. This 6-day in-person training is an incredible opportunity for emerging Indigenous youth (18-30) leaders across Turtle Island to amplify their voices and skills in addressing local and global environmental justice issues.
As a community partner, your organization will play a crucial role in engaging these young leaders. We are specifically seeking partners who can help us in several impactful ways:
Nominate Youth Participants: Your organization can nominate passionate and driven youth to attend the 2025 training (all expenses paid). These youth will benefit from and contribute to this transformative training experience. Please share the application form linked below with them.
Social Media Advocacy: By uplifting our efforts, especially our program application, on your social media platforms, you will help raise awareness and support for Indigenous-led environmental and cultural preservation initiatives. Please use the social media toolkit linked below.
Through the IYI Training, participants will gain essential skills in leadership, campaign strategy, non-violent direct action, reclamation of narrative, multimedia techniques, and the integration of traditional knowledge. They will emerge ready to lead other youth in the form of Earth Guardians Crews (learn more here) and initiate projects that support indigenous innovation for cultural and environmental preservation, supported by Earth Guardians staff and expert mentors.
Post-training, these youth leaders will have the opportunity to apply for a Project Grant through our small fund at Earth Guardians, allowing them to implement their campaigns.
If you’re interested in this partnership and the opportunity it offers, please reach out as soon as possible. We’d love to set up a brief meeting to discuss how we can collaborate to benefit Indigenous youth and the planet.
Thank you for considering this partnership. Together, we can significantly impact the nurturing of the future leaders of Indigenous communities.
The training takes place at Roots to Sky Sanctuary in Oakland, MD.
We will book each participant’s flights and transport them from the Dules airport to Roots to Sky, where they will stay for the duration of the training. We will then transport everyone back to the airport on the 5th.
Three meals a day and snacks will be provided. There are 25 beds and 9 bedrooms in 2 large houses. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Contact Information: Kellie Berns, email: Kellie@earthguardians.org
Alethea Phillips, email: Alethea@earthguardians.org