Kelsey Janway visits Washington D.C., as part of the inaugural class of White House Tribal Youth Ambassadors.
Choctaw Nation Youth Ambassador meets with the President
by Sara J. Smallwood
Choctaw Nation
Durant, Okla. - Kelsey Janway, a sophomore at Heavener High School, was chosen to be part of the inaugural class of White House Tribal Youth Ambassadors.
Kelsey is President of the Choctaw Nation Youth Advisory Board. Due to her success in this leadership capacity, she was nominated by her tribe to represent Choctaw youth to the President’s annual gathering of tribal leaders from across the nation.
2014 was the first year to have a youth component to the White House Tribal Nations Conference, and Kelsey was one of only 35 youth selected from around the country. In her weeklong adventures in DC, Kelsey met President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary Jewell, Attorney General Holder, tribal leaders, and other top executives from the White House and federal agencies. Additionally, Kelsey was given a personal tour of the United States Capitol by Representative Mark Wayne Mullin, one of only 2 Natives currently serving in Congress.
Kelsey was chosen to serve in this national role because of her leadership skills and dedication to serving her community. In addition to the Choctaw Youth Advisory Board, Kelsey is a member of 10 different organizations. Her commitment to her community and her tribe is evident in all she does. While in DC, she was a vocal advocate for Choctaw and other Native youth, and a wonderful representation of Oklahoma, and the Choctaw Nation. Kelsey and the other youth ambassadors will reconvene with the White House in summer 2015 to continue the momentum of youth leadership in Indian Country.