First Nations Development Institute was approached by Youth 4 Change, founded by Amaia Laskin, who intended to raise money and donate it to a worthy cause. Amaia wanted to fund a program that was located in Alaska and focused on tribal youth. While this is not uncommon, what was unusual in this case was that Amaia was only 11 years old and raised the money all on her own!

Amaia attends the Environmental Grantmakers Association’s (EGA) annual fall retreat with her mother, Virginia Clarke, each year. For the past few years, Amaia has used this event as an opportunity to raise funds for various causes. She raises monies by soliciting donations from conference registrants in exchange for personally decorating the attendee’s conference badges. Each year she has selected a different cause to support before starting her campaign.

At a recent EGA Retreat, Amaia approached First Nations’ president, Michael E. Roberts, with the request to help her identify a worthy youth program in Alaska. First Nation’s identified three Native Youth and Culture Fund grantees that met her criteria. Amaia promptly selected the Ahtna Heritage Foundation located in Glennallen, Alaska. Their Yuul Tene’ Project brings Ahtna Athabascan youth and elders together for seasonal culture camps and survival camping trips to retain and perpetuate language and traditional arts that are in danger of being forgotten.

Amaia raised $2,000 as a result of her efforts. While $2,000 may seem minimal for any foundation, the fact is that only one-half of one percent of all private philanthropic dollars goes to American Indian and Alaskan Native causes. Thus, her impact was not insignificant and definitely increased Amaia’s ability to provide vital services to tribal youth.  Through her efforts, she was able to make a difference for Alaska Native youth.

Ahtna Heritage Foundation chief executive officer, Jessica Denny, reported that receiving the donation was like receiving an unexpected Christmas present. She shared that Ahtna was able to use the monies to further youth programming and Amaia’s story was shared in the community newsletter. First Nations was happy to assist this young philanthropist in her efforts and is glad to see that young people, such as Amaia, are involved and taking action.