At the center of this project’s explicit mandate to generate tangible change for the Crow community is our leadership initiative. This program focuses on convening and supporting Apsáalooke individualsdesignated by their peers and elders as emerging leaders–people who are determined to make a difference in their community. 

2023 cohort participants are: Charla Takes Enemy, Johnny Whiteshirt,Jordynn Paz,JoRee LaFrance,Lauri Kindness, Zac Birdinground,Sloane Real Bird, andVelma Pickett. 

Learn More About the Cohort Participants

 

Over one year, emerging leaders participate in educational/co-learning sessions and undertake a capstone project–usually tied to the project’s research objectives. Emerging leaders receive an honorarium and travel support and are encouraged to participate at levels aligned with their availability–all have more than full-time occupations and family responsibilities. 

The Project Advisory Board and Research Team recognize that, as the people who will make future decisions about energy and resource development at Crow, these emerging leaders are among the nation’s most critical assets in building resilience through the energy transition. Investing in supporting them to assemble the knowledge, relationships and skills to succeed as leaders in their community is a central priority. 


culture and language ven diagrams

A 2022 focus group with youth and emerging leaders generated this vision of cycles of time in Apsaaloke history and helped set priorities for the leadership initiative. Credit: Colibri facilitation