National Indian Youth Council

TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL WELFARE OF AMERICAN INDIANS.

IN APRIL OF 2022, NIYC RECEIVED THE SECOND-YEAR AWARD FROM THE 400,000 GRANT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS FROM THE KELLOGG FOUNDATION. THESE FUNDS WERE USED TO IMPROVE ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE WITH UPDATED FISCAL AND HR POLICIES. IMPROVEMENTS WERE ALSO MADE TO PROGRAM MARKETING WITH A NEW WEBSITE AND COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE. IN JULY 2022, THE STAFF MOVED FROM THE OLD BUILDING, WHERE THEY HAD BEEN LOCATED SINCE 1983. THE MOVE TOOK SEVERAL WEEKS, AND NEW OFFICE FURNITURE WAS PURCHASED. THE LEASE ON THEIR CURRENT OFFICE SPACE RUNS UNTIL JUNE 30, 2025. IN JULY 2022 THE ORGANIZATION ADDRESSED UPDATES TO THE BYLAWS, AND ENACTED UPDATES TO ITS FISCAL AND HR POLICIES. IN AUGUST 2022, THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STEPHEN HONEYESTEWA FINALIZED THE SALE OF 318 ELM STREET BUILDING. THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE BUILDING WERE DEPOSITED WITH THE BANK OF AMERICA ACCOUNTS. FROM DECEMBER 2022 THROUGH MAY 2023, DEANNA AQUIAR, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM AND DEVELOPMENT, SERVED AS THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. STEVEN HONEYESTEWA RESIGNED RIGHT BEFORE THE WINTER HOLIDAYS IN DECEMBER 2022. IN DECEMBER OF 2022, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ENACTED UPDATES TO THE ORGANIZATIONAL BYLAWS BY RESOLUTION AND NAMED MARVINA PETE AS THE BOARD CHAIR AND LORRAINE EDMO AS THE TREASURER. IN MARCH OF 2023 THE ORGANIZATION REGAINED ACCESS TO A DEPOSIT WITH TBK BANK. THESE FUNDS WERE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE BANK OF AMERICA ACCOUNTS IN THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR. DARIUS LEE SMITH WAS NAMED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE LAST WEEK OF MAY 2023. THE NATIONAL INDIAN YOUTH COUNCIL, INC. HELD ITS ANNUAL, IN-PERSON BOARD MEETING RIGHT BEFORE THE END OF THE 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR ON JUNE 14, 2023. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ENACTED AN 18-MONTH ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN CENTERED ON DIVERSIFYING FUNDING, STAFF RETENTION, COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, BOARD MEMBER DEVELOPMENT, AND OVERALL, IMPROVED COMMUNICATION WITH BOARD MEMBERS, STAFF, PARTICIPANTS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. STAFF MEMBERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTOR LORRAINE EDMO ATTENDED THE WIOA NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN CONNECTICUT IN MAY 2023. ALL FINANCIAL AND DATA REPORTS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ON-TIME AND WITHOUT INCIDENT DURING THE 2022 - 2023 FISCAL YEAR.