The Tribal Youth Advisory Council (TYAC) was established by the National Indian Health Board to ensure that Native youth have a seat at the table when it comes to shaping the future of Tribal Public Health. TYAC creates a space for Native youth to lead, share thei experiences, and offer feedback on policies and programs that impact their communities.
This council includes representatives from the 12 Indian Health Service (IHS) regions and a few additional youth leaders whose voices and passion made them impossible to overlook.
Whether addressing mental health, substance use, suicide prevention, or other public health topics, TYAC brings unique perspectives to the forefront of NIHB’s work.
Through regular meetings, collaborative projects, and national advocacy efforts, TYAC plays an active role in helping NIHB develop programs and policy recommendations that are not only effective but also rooted in native values, traditions, and the voices of Native youth.
TYAC is a space where Native youth lead with purpose, using their strength and vision to reclaim, reimagine, and rebuild a healthier, stronger future for their Tribal communities
We are proud to introduce the 15 Native youth leaders who make up this year’s 2025 Tribal Youth Advisory Council. Representing the 12 IHS regions and beyond, these individuals bring passion, experience, and vision. Click on the photo to see their bios and learn more about each council member
Salt River Pima Maricopa, Phoenix
Salt River Pima Maricopa, Phoenix
Kamduum?/Kamaduu?/Samai Cu’ig? Nyip
‘iim mulyk Aarick Mack, Inyep ‘imuuly Aarick Mack, Añi añ hap ce:gig Aarick Mack. My name is Aarick Mack. I am Xalychidom Piipaash/Pee-Posh, Pipa Aha Macav, and Akimel O’odham.
I am an enrolled member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, with ancestral ties to the Gila River Indian Community (District 7/Maricopa Colony) and the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe (Oach clan). I am a traditional singer of Yuman bird songs and also learn and sing O’odham songs. In my free time, I enjoy beading. I am super excited to be a part of TYAC. I hope to bring good energy and figure out ways to help and uplift more Indigenous communities around the country. Thank you!
Lac Du Flambreau Chippewa, Portland
Lac Du Flambreau Chippewa, Portland
Boozhoo gakina! My name is Animikiikwe,
and I am Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe but currently reside in Washington State on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe.
Over the next year, I am looking forward to meeting likeminded youth who are also passionate about mental health advocacy in our communities. I am also excited to gain a deeper understanding of what healing through tradition can look like across the country.
Pueblo of Tesuque, Albuquerque
Pueblo of Tesuque, Albuquerque
My name is Athena Archuleta, and I am from the Pueblo of Tesuque, located just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I am a senior at the University of Notre Dame studying m echanical engineering with a passion for product design and development. I care deeply about mental health and visibility for Native communities, and I’m excited t o part of the TYAC.
Colville, Portland
Colville, Portland
My name is Chenoa Erickson, and I am a proud member of the Colville Tribes from Inchelium, Washington. I am a certified medical assistant, specializing in pediatric vaccinations, and I aspire to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to expand my role in community health. I am committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health, especially its ties to addiction. I am passionate about advocating for access to behavioral health resources and creating a future where mental health isprioritized.
Lumbee Tribe, Nashville
Lumbee Tribe, Nashville
My name is Jada Allen. I ’m from Robeson County, North Carolina. I am a c itizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and a recent graduate o f Duke University, where I s tudied Public Policy, minored in Global Health, and earned a Health Policy Certificate. During my time at Duke, I conducted quality improvement research for hypertension management, led Native student advocacy e forts, and volunteered at a local non-profit.
I am currently in a gap year as I p repare for a career inlaw. I’m excited to contribute to TYAC by developing a project with my cohort and learning more about the health equity in Indian Country. In my free time, I enjoy r eading, making beadwork, and spending time with friends and family.
Spirit Lake Sioux, Great Plains
Spirit Lake Sioux, Great Plains
My name is J enna Makes Good (She/Her), and I am an enrolled citizen of the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota, with roots in the O sage, Pawnee, Potawatomi, and Blackfeet N ations. I am a student at Haskell Indian Nations University, pursuing a b achelor’s d egree in Indigenous and American Indian Studies.
I’ve been honored as a Brave Heart Fellow, a UNITY 25 Under 25 honoree, and a Native Action Network Ambassador. I am deeply committed to supporting efforts that address addiction, violence, and the MMIP crisis impacting Native communities.
Salt River Pima Maricopa, Phoenix
alt River Pima Maricopa, Phoenix
My name is Jizelle Juan, and I am a proud member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, from Salt River, Arizona. I am passionate about cultural preservation, uplifting Indigenous youth, and expanding Indigenous representation everywhere. Through TYAC, I hope to m ake a positive impact in our communities and support the well- being of others.
Blackfeet, Billings
Blackfeet, Billings
My name is Joelnell Momberg and I am an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana. I was raised in Box Elder, MT on the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation and currently serve as a Prevention Specialist at the Rocky Boy Health Center. I recently earned my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Montana Western, I also played collegiate basketball. I am passionate about promoting health and wellness in Tribal communities and committed to empowering Native youth through culturally grounded prevention efforts.
Pala Band of Mission Indians, California
Pala Band of Mission Indians, California
My name is Joseph Ravago, and I am Cupeño from the reservation of the Pala Band of Mission Indians in California. I currently serve as the Project Coordinator for Indian Health Council’s resolution initiative, funded by the California Reducing Disparities Project. I earned a B.A. in Anthropology and African American Studies from Georgetown University. Through TYAC, I look forward to learning more about tribes across the nation and advocating for youth-centered behavioral health approaches across Indian Country.
Navajo Nation, Navajo
Navajo Nation, Navajo
My name is Jowun Ben, and I am Diné (Navajo). I was raised in a traditional household, w here I ’ve learned the importance of Navajo cultural teachings and their connection to health. After experiencing the loss of my grandmother, I became committed to a future in medicine that bridges traditional healing with western medicine. I am excited to join TYAC. I hope to amplify Native youth voices, contribute to mental health and substance use prevention efforts, and ensure that our voices shape future health policies for our communities.
Hualapai, Phoenix
Hualapai, Phoenix
My name is Juliana Nez, and I am a proud member of the Hualapai Tribe in Arizona. I am passionate about connecting Native youth with elders and learning our cultural roots, while showing others that change can lead to growth and healing. I am excited to be part of TYAC and to help create safe, supportive spaces within my own community, where Native youth feel seen, heard, and empowered to lead.
Crow, Bemidji
Crow, Bemidji
Boozhoo! My name is Neeji Singer, but I also go by my spirit name Nagwayaash, which means “the Calm Before the Storm.” I’m a n enrolled member of the Crow Tribe a nd a descendant of the Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree Tribe. I have lived in the community of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians for most of my life. I am passionate about continuing to learn about my culture and stand strongly behind my cultural and spiritual way of living. While I am very introverted, I try to step out of my comfort zones whenever I can or when the opportunity arises. I am currently studying to become a substance abuse counselor at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University. As someone who has faced mental health challenges and past substance use, I want to be part of something larger than myself, which is helping others realize that healing is possible and we can overcome what life throws at us.
Grant Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa, Bemidji
Grant Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa, Bemidji
Curyung & Supiaq, Alaska
Curyung & Supiaq, Alaska
Cama’i! My name is Taralynn Agnacuungaq Agluryaq-Calista Chesley, and I a m from Bristol Bay, Alaska. I a m a member of the Curyung Tribe, with Sugpiaq heritage and adopted Yupik ties. I a spire to become a traditional healer and believe that participating in TYAC will help guide me toward that path. I have many hobbies, just ask!
Facilitator
facilitator
My name is D acia Red Thunder Griego, and I am Chippewa Cree and Mexican. I am a community advocate, cultural consultant, and passionate leader in Indigenous health equity, education, and youth empowerment. Based in Missoula, Montana, I bring over a decade of experience working across nonprofits, schools, and health systems to support and uplift Indigenous communities. My work has been c entered around Indigenous knowledge, cultural revitalization, and intergenerational strength. I am honored to support the Tribal Youth Advisory Council and to help amplify the voices of Indigenous youth across the country.
TYAC Supervisor
TYAC Supervisor
My name is Tyrone Peterson, and I am a citizen of the Diné (Navajo) Nation and the Yoeme (Pascua Yaqui) Nation of Arizona. I earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins University and have collaborated with the Johns Hopkins Center for Suicide Prevention. I also serve on the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) T ask force, contributing to national efforts focused on mental health and suicide prevention in AIAN communities. I serve as the TYAC Supervisor, where I have the privilege of working alongside a passionate group of young Native leaders dedicated to building a healthier future for all.
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