The Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program is a youth cultural exchange and leadership-development program managed by the ATAYAL Organization. It connects Indigenous youth through online activities, community volunteering and international exchanges linked to Tribal Canoe Journeys in Washington State and reciprocal activities in Taiwan.
Youth Delegates share their cultures, stories and ideas, work on sustainable-development projects and gain practical community-service experience. A committee selects one participant from each participating tribe to serve as that tribe’s Youth Ambassador for one year.
Benefits & funding
- Instruction on sustainable development informed by Indigenous knowledge and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
- Mentoring from educators and instructors, problem-solving projects, online cultural exchange and interaction with Indigenous youth from other nations.
- Practical experience through volunteer service in participants’ communities.
- Selected Youth Ambassadors may receive opportunities to represent their tribes at international exchanges, including Tribal Canoe Journeys and Taiwan Tribal Journeys.
- The official page mentions travel and scholarship opportunities but does not promise that all costs, travel or scholarships are funded. It publishes no participation fee.
Eligibility
- Participants are Indigenous youth who have previously taken part in, or plan to take part in, Tribal Canoe Journeys in Washington State.
- The initial participant groups include Salish Sea Native American communities and Indigenous tribes from Taiwan. The organization says future participation may extend to other Indigenous communities involved in international cultural exchange.
- The official page states no nationality, residency, degree, age or work-experience requirement.
- Youth Delegates share their culture, stories and ideas online and serve as volunteers in their communities.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Review the official program page and confirm that the participant profile and Tribal Canoe Journeys connection fit.
- 2Contact the ATAYAL Organization through the official page to ask whether the relevant tribe or community is participating; the site does not publish a public application form or deadline.
- 3Participate as a Youth Delegate by sharing culture, stories and ideas and completing community volunteer work.
- 4A committee selects one Youth Delegate per participating tribe to serve as Youth Ambassador for one year.
Program timeline
Annual cycle
Youth representatives work on a different sustainable-development topic each year.
Delegate stage
Participants share culture and ideas online and complete volunteer service in their communities.
Committee selection
One participant per tribe is selected as Youth Ambassador.
One-year term
The selected ambassador represents the tribe and may join international exchange activities.
Application dates
The official site publishes no opening date or deadline.