Join the first-ever term of the Jiwere-Nut'achi Nyibrathge Youth Council!
What is the Youth Council?
The Youth Council was created to center more youth voices in the Walking in the Footsteps of our Ancestors project, a collaboration of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma and the Center for Great Plains Studies in Nebraska. The project aims to promote healing and reconciliation in southeast Nebraska by reconnecting the Otoe-Missouria to their homelands. Additionally, it aims to educate non-Native people about the history and ongoing presence of the Tribe and other Indigenous peoples in our region. We encourage all youth who meet the requirements to apply! Read on below to see some of the work you could be doing. Five youth will be selected to represent the Youth Council and will work with their designated advisory group.
What are the requirements?
• Must be enrolled Otoe-Missouria or provide descendancy documentation
• Must be aged 13-22 in 2025
• Time commitment: 2.5 hours/monthly
• Serve a term of two years
• Must attend parent and participant briefing meeting (online and in-person)
Why should I apply?
Your voice matters in helping shape the future of the project. The Youth Council will serve a vital role in bringing together Jiwere-Nut’achi tribal members and southeast Nebraska residents and helping plan and design future commemorations.
How do I apply?
Submit an application here. Applications are due Friday, March 1, 2025.
One youth member will be selected per advisory group:
- Changing the Narrative: Developing new interpretive signage for public parks and prairies, revising historical markers, and planning classes about Otoe-Missouria culture. More
- Creating Land-Based Commemorations: Planning and caring for a new garden in Lincoln and working with UNL Architecture students to design land-based commemorations. More
- Sharing the Story: Developing the Talking in the Footsteps podcast, preparing newsletter updates and social media posts, and assisting the documentary team. More
- Building Relationships: Planning Otoe-Missouria Day and working to strengthen ties between the Otoe-Missouria and southeast Nebraska communities. More
- Visualizing Reconciliation: Planning the Reflections exhibition featuring 25 Otoe-Missouria artists and helping organizing future work to create public art. More