Cultural Survival is proud to unveil its 2026 cohort of Indigenous Youth Fellows, a significant expansion of its impactful Capacity Building Program. This esteemed fellowship is dedicated to nurturing and empowering young Indigenous leaders aged 18-28 who demonstrate a profound commitment to the revitalization, defense, and elevation of their cultures and Traditional Knowledge. The program equips these emerging leaders with essential skills in leadership, organization, and project management, fostering their ability to enact meaningful change within their communities. Since its inception in 2018, Cultural Survival has awarded an impressive 157 fellowships, directly supporting over 368 young Indigenous individuals from across the globe.
This year’s cohort is comprised of 30 dynamic young leaders, each representing a diverse tapestry of Indigenous cultures and geographical regions. This announcement specifically highlights 15 fellows based in Abya Yala, the Indigenous name for the Americas, showcasing their unique journeys and ambitious community-driven initiatives. A subsequent announcement will feature the inspiring fellows from Africa and Asia, further underscoring the global reach and impact of this vital program.
The 30 community-driven projects undertaken by the 2026 fellows are poised to address a spectrum of critical issues, including the escalating challenges of climate change, the fundamental right to food sovereignty, the ongoing processes of decolonization, the urgent need for language revitalization, the protection of ancestral lands, the innovative use of media and the arts, and the vital reclamation of ancestral traditions. Indigenous youth are increasingly recognized not merely as future leaders, but as indispensable agents of change in the present. Their leadership is paramount in ensuring the continuity and vibrancy of their cultures, serving as a crucial bridge for the transmission of ancestral knowledge to future generations. This initiative by Cultural Survival serves as a powerful testament to the talent, creativity, and unwavering dedication of these young Indigenous changemakers.
Spotlight on Abya Yala: Champions of Culture and Community
The 2026 Indigenous Youth Fellowship cohort features a remarkable group of individuals from across the Americas (Abya Yala), each embarking on projects designed to strengthen their communities and preserve their unique heritage. These fellows are actively engaged in a wide array of thematic areas, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of Indigenous resilience and innovation.
Ecuador: Fostering Entrepreneurship and Empowering Youth
Tamia Paulina Contento Paqui, a Kichwa Saraguro from the community of Ilincho Ayllullakta in Ecuador, embodies a spirit of entrepreneurial leadership. Her fellowship project focuses on providing guidance and resources to young aspiring entrepreneurs who face challenges in launching their businesses. Having navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship herself, Contento Paqui aims to create a supportive environment where young individuals can refine their ideas, build self-confidence, and take decisive steps toward establishing their own ventures. Her initiative is rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship can be a potent force for personal growth and community development, promoting autonomy, creativity, and perseverance. She represents a new generation of Indigenous youth committed to community advancement while remaining deeply connected to their roots and fostering mutual support for a future with expanded opportunities.
Also from Ecuador, Tania Patricia Pizango Yumbo, a Kichwa from the Napo province in the Amazon, is dedicated to defending collective rights and promoting the participation of youth and women. Her project, "Strengthening Territorial Defense and Food Sovereignty of the Kichwa Communities," aims to revitalize cultural knowledge, enhance self-governance, and champion sustainable alternatives for the protection of their territory, cultural identity, and collective rights. Yumbo’s work centers on recovering ancestral food traditions and medicine, collaborating with youth and community groups to revive ancestral knowledge related to food production and sovereignty.
Complementing these efforts, Glenda Yadira Yasacama Wiakach, another Kichwa from the Ecuadorian Amazon, is leveraging community media and communication to amplify the voices and struggles of her people. Her project, "Communication for the Strengthening of Autonomy, the Exercise of Collective Rights, and the Construction of Sumak Kawsay with the Participation of Kichwa Leaders and Young Communicators from Pastaza," seeks to bolster communication infrastructure and strengthen the organizational fabric of Amazonian Peoples. Through the creation of a short film and ongoing engagement with young communicators, Yasacama aims to inspire cultural preservation and territorial defense.
Mexico: Safeguarding Agroecology and Revitalizing Indigenous Identity
In Mexico, Juan Carlos Mayo Velázquez, a Maya from Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, is committed to safeguarding agroecological practices and traditional knowledge. His project, "Strengthening Local Food Systems for Diversification and Transformation," aims to enhance food security in four Maya communities by documenting and preserving traditional knowledge, particularly concerning the management of native stingless bees (meliponinos). Velázquez, an agroecologist and member of the Jóvenes de la Zona Maya collective, views agroecology as a critical pathway for protecting biodiversity while honoring ancestral stewardship of the land.
Guadalupe Vanessa Uicab Cauich, also Maya from Campeche, Mexico, is spearheading the "Eco-active Youth of Sahcabchén" project. Her initiative focuses on fostering environmental awareness and community participation among young people and families in her community. Through campaigns, workshops, and cultural expressions, the project promotes responsible waste management, environmental protection, and the recovery of local knowledge, thereby enhancing community resilience and territorial stewardship. Uicab Cauich has a proven track record of engaging children in community training and organization, demonstrating her adeptness in teaching and intergenerational collaboration.
United States: Preserving Language, Tradition, and Sustainable Practices
The United States is represented by several fellows making significant contributions to their communities. Trinity Norris, a Tohono O’odham storyteller, photographer, and media creator, is undertaking the project, "Carrying Our Stories Forward: A Portrait & Micro-Story Project Uplifting O’odham Language Through Community Storytelling on Traditional Foodways." This initiative aims to increase the visibility and pride associated with the O’odham language and people by documenting meaningful words and memories through portraits, audio reflections, and micro-stories, creating a culturally grounded archive that strengthens identity and supports language revitalization.
Mitchell Shonkwaiataroroks Gray, a Mohawk of the Turtle Clan, is focusing on "Three Sisters Gardens and Companion Planting Study." Gray, who has been involved in traditional agriculture and sustainable living from a young age, aims to explore the scientific principles behind companion planting and educate others on Indigenous traditional agriculture and sustainable living practices. His project highlights the enduring wisdom of Indigenous peoples in land stewardship.
In a collaborative effort, Shannon Dean San Nicolas and Xavier Bryce Borja, both Chamoru from Guam, are working on "Echoes of the Land and Sea: A Creative Workshop on Eco-Conscious Design and Music." San Nicolas, a theater artist and musician, and Borja, a theater artist and costume designer, utilize their respective crafts to foster deeper connections to land, culture, and climate resilience. Their project empowers Indigenous youth and community members to explore eco-conscious creativity through a collaborative workshop that bridges music and sustainable design, emphasizing Indigenous values, environmental stewardship, and collective storytelling.
Argentina: Advancing Language, Rights, and Water Stewardship
From Argentina, Raintuy Maestri Millan and Aye Mahún, Mapuche from Lof Pillan Mawiza, are dedicated to language restoration and territorial defense. Their project, "Koneltun puelwilimapu mew," specifically addresses the 2SLGBTQ+ community within the Mapuche population. Through a six-day community gathering, they aim to revitalize the Mapuche language, strengthen local communication in their traditional tongue, and deepen their connection with nature, fostering inclusivity and cultural continuity.
William Jonatan Noel Sarapura, a Kolla from the Tambillos Indigenous community in Jujuy, is leading "Guardians of Water and Pachamama – Yaku Sumaq." This initiative focuses on strengthening the care of water as a vital and sacred resource, promoting intergenerational workshops, community gatherings, and the training of young people as guardians of the territory. The project also includes the audiovisual recording of traditional knowledge and testimonies to preserve collective memory and cultural identity.
Colombia: Empowering Women and Championing Menstrual Sovereignty
Lizeth Andrea Rincon Guachon, a Sikuani from the Aliwa Kupepe ancestral territory in Colombia, is coordinating "Weaving Blood and Wisdom: Women for Menstrual Sovereignty." This project promotes a participatory process focused on the well-being of women and the territory. It integrates ancestral wisdom with scientific knowledge to encourage self-management of sustainable menstrual hygiene alternatives, environmental care, and the empowerment of female leadership in territorial protection. Guachon’s work emphasizes intergenerational dialogue and practical education to strengthen bodily autonomy and recognize health as a pillar of cultural resistance.
Peru: Harnessing Ethno-Cartography for Territorial Defense
Llerlin Josoe Pacunda Cruz, an Awajún from the Peruvian Amazon, is implementing "Participatory Ethno-Cartography." Driven by firsthand experience with environmental degradation in his community, Cruz’s project aims to identify sacred areas and spaces of cultural and environmental importance. By developing a community life plan, this initiative seeks to strengthen environmental and cultural management, thereby contributing to territorial defense, biodiversity protection, and the recovery of ancestral Awajún knowledge for a sustainable future.
Chile: Revitalizing Language and Fostering Intergenerational Exchange
Catalina Belén Antil Arévalo, a Lafkenche Mapuche from the Francisco Pichún Indigenous community in Chile, is leading "Kümey Kimün: Intergenerational Transmission of Mapuzungun and Lafkenche Cultural Knowledge." This community initiative aims to strengthen Lafkenche Mapuche cultural identity through participatory spaces that bring together Elders and youth. By fostering intergenerational dialogue, the project promotes the revitalization of the Mapuzungun language, the transmission of cultural knowledge, and a stronger connection to the territory, contributing to collective memory and the exercise of cultural rights.
Brazil: Cultivating Cultural Preservation and Youth Communication
In Brazil, Jiktayá Pataxó, a community leader from the village of Cassiana, is working on "Kijeme Suniatá." This project seeks to strengthen Pataxó culture both within and outside their territory through conversation circles, traditional songs, the construction of traditional spaces, and reforestation. Pataxó’s work is guided by ancestral teachings that emphasize oral tradition, respect for nature, and the vital importance of community.
The Arandu Mirim collective, composed of young Guarani Mbya from the Jaraguá Indigenous land, is coordinating the "Kunumingue Nhemboaty" project. Led by Iara Para Poty, this initiative uses conversation circles and workshops organized by young people, for young people, to explore the demands, interests, and experiences of Guarani Mbya youth. The project will culminate in a short documentary centered on the question, "What do we want for our future?" The Arandu Mirim collective utilizes videography and editing skills to challenge negative perceptions of Indigenous Peoples in urban environments and promote dialogue about urban Indigenous identities.
A Legacy of Empowerment and Global Impact
Cultural Survival’s Capacity Building Program, and specifically its Youth Fellowship, has a well-documented history of success. Since 2018, the program has provided crucial support to a significant number of Indigenous youth, empowering them to become effective advocates and leaders within their communities. The awarding of 157 fellowships has translated into tangible advancements in areas such as cultural preservation, land rights advocacy, language revitalization efforts, and the development of sustainable livelihoods.
The program’s impact extends beyond individual skill development. By fostering a network of young Indigenous leaders, Cultural Survival is actively contributing to the strengthening of Indigenous movements globally. These fellows often go on to initiate broader community projects, mentor younger generations, and influence policy decisions at local and national levels. The emphasis on community-driven initiatives ensures that the projects are deeply rooted in the specific needs and aspirations of each community, fostering a sense of ownership and long-term sustainability.
The thematic areas addressed by the 2026 cohort – climate change, food sovereignty, decolonization, language revitalization, land protection, media and the arts, and the reclamation of ancestral traditions – are critical to the survival and flourishing of Indigenous cultures worldwide. These issues are often interconnected, and the fellows’ holistic approach reflects a deep understanding of the complex challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples.
The organization’s commitment to supporting Indigenous youth is a strategic investment in the future. By equipping these young leaders with the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed, Cultural Survival is helping to ensure that Indigenous voices are heard, Indigenous rights are respected, and Indigenous cultures continue to thrive for generations to come. The ongoing expansion of the fellowship to include fellows from diverse regions like Africa and Asia further solidifies Cultural Survival’s role as a vital global partner in Indigenous empowerment. The upcoming spotlight on these fellows will undoubtedly reveal equally compelling stories of resilience, innovation, and dedication to cultural continuity.
