Auq-uwey O’John gives his welcome to attendees of the Jimmy Newton Jr. Youth Leadership Conference, Maleina Carel and Shayne White Thunder stand alongside O’John while he gives a welcome. All three serve on the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council.

Keynote Speaker, Christian Wassana kicks of the Jimmy Newton Jr. Youth Leadership Conference on Thursday, July 17. Wassana is a motivational speaker, actor, director, writer, and Native activist. He is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.

Members of the Southern Ute Tribal Council and the Sunshine Cloud Smith Youth Advisory Council introduce themselves during the opening welcome at the Jimmy Newton Jr. Youth Leadership Conference held on Thursday, July 17.

Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum