Mvskoke Nation youth leaders in action

(MUSCOGEE RESERVATION) On August 23, the Mvskoke Nation Youth Council gathered for its monthly meeting at the Youth Services Office. Ten attendees filled the room with energy, laughter and pride as young leaders discussed community projects and cultural preservation.

The meeting was led by Mia Powell, co-chair of the council’s Environmental and Community Service Committee. Members reviewed upcoming service opportunities, including a community garden project, tree planting, a back-to-school supply drive and intergenerational events with elders. Fundraising reports showed success from recent events, and planning continued for the annual Youth Awards.

Guest speaker Nelson Harjo Jr., manager of the Muscogee Nation Election Board, spoke about the importance of voter registration and participation in tribal elections. Harjo encouraged youth to see themselves as future voters and leaders, reminding them that out of more than 18,000 eligible citizens aged 18 to 25, only 501 voted in the 2023 election. 

“That’s a small number,” he said, urging youth to prepare now to take part in the Nation’s political process.

Powell added that her views on leadership go beyond seeking recognition or titles. Instead, leaders have the responsibility to ensure everyone feels supported and heard. 

“Leadership isn’t about having people look up to you,” Powell said. “it’s about making sure you’re creating a healthy environment. It’s about listening to your peers and being a good mentor.” 

Powell also shared her passion for suicide prevention, a cause she advocates for as Junior Miss Muscogee Nation. She is currently planning a suicide prevention walk in September to honor loved ones and raise awareness in the Native community.

For Amari Turner, membership in the Mvskoke Nation Youth Council offers a chance for her to be heard in a world often dominated by adult voices. 

“It feels great to be able to have a voice when it feels like the world is covered with adult opinions,” she said. “Youth Council empowers us to express ourselves, to come together and to learn skills like public speaking that I never thought I’d have.” 

Turner encouraged other Mvskoke youth to get involved, noting that the Youth Council offers not only leadership opportunities but also friendship and a sense of community.

Outgoing secretary Kulvne Begay, who has been active on the council for 3 years, reflected on how the council shaped her future as she prepares to attend Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.

“I’ve had an amazing time here, and I made really good connections with all the youth council members,” Begay said. “I see them like family. Even though I’m leaving for college, I’ll still be involved through online meetings and outreach. The Youth Council gave me opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise.” 

Begay also delivered a heartfelt presentation on the ancestral mounds located in Macon, Georgia. 

She explained that these mounds are more than archeological landmarks. They are living connections to tradition and identity. Historically, the mounds were the heart of community life where Muscogee ancestors held the Green Corn Ceremony, a time of sacred renewal. They also served as a gathering place for council meetings, games and dances, all centered around maintaining balance and unity within the community.

“Our ancestral mounds are sacred,” Begay said. “They remind us that our history isn’t gone. It’s still here. Returning to these sites is about returning to the source of our strength, where our ancestors stood, prayed and built a way of life that we still carry today.”

Begay emphasized that by learning and teaching about cultural sites like the mounds, Native youth can carry forward traditions of spiritual balance, community involvement, community responsibility and cultural pride.

As the meeting closed, members voted to move the next gathering to September 20, which will include officer elections.

The Mvskoke Nation Youth Council meets monthly and welcomes Mvskoke Nation youth ages 12 to 24 to come together to learn leadership, celebrate culture and take part in service and civic engagement. For many, it has become more than a council. 

For these young leaders, the council represents more than monthly business. It is a space for empowerment and preparing the next generation to step into leadership later in life.