Youth Council President on Colville Reservation models community engagement for his peers

Nationwide voter data consistently demonstrates how civic engagement and voter outreach lag behind for rural voters, youth and Indigenous people — but one young leader on the Colville Reservation in Washington State is bucking that trend.

An Indigenous high school junior with a bevy of accolades under his belt, DC Atkins was recently reelected to serve a second school year as Youth Council President for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, according to the Tribal Tribune.

DC is Crow as well as enrolled with the Colville Tribes, and he is already an active contributor to his local community. As Youth Council President, DC has worked on Native civic engagement by helping to organize the Confederated Colville Tribes’ candidate forum for the tribal council elections.

DC also belongs to the National Honor Society, plays varsity basketball and competes in rodeo. 

Ashley Three-Irons Atkins, who has been involved with local youth and schools in central Washington, nominated DC for recognition. She told the Tribal Tribune he “represents the strength of youth leadership, community involvement, and positive representation for Native students.”