U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today met with the 2017 Champion for Change Mariah Gladstone of Kalispell.
Gladstone, 23, is a Glacier High School graduate, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet and Cherokee tribes, and an advocate for food sovereignty.
The Center for Native American Youth created the Champions for Change program as a youth leadership initiative that highlights positive stories from Indian Country and develops young Native leaders through experience-based learning. Mariah was selected as one of five young Native Americans from across the U.S. to be honored this week as a Champion for Change.
“Mariah is a bright young woman with a passion for improving Indian Country,” Daines stated. “It was great to speak with her today and see her enthusiasm and spirit to help others.”
“I’m excited to be here to advocate on behalf of Indigenous youth, our food systems and sovereignty, and for positive representations of Native identity,” Gladstone stated. “I am grateful to the Senator for making time to discuss these issues.”
###