Global Indigenous Youth Summit (GIYS)
What is GIYS?
The Global Indigenous Youth Summit (GIYS) is a conference designed to create a safe environment for indigenous and under-represented youth. Founded in understanding, compassion, and trust, it connects and provides youth with a safe place to share their stories.
When and Where is GIYS?
Our summit will be held at:
YMCA Camp Marrowbone
16235 BIA 8 Marksville, SD 57442
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August 16 - 19, 2023
Who can attend GIYS?
Anyone! This conference is open to anyone looking to make a better future for Indigenous youth, populations, and our communities!
GIYS Registration is coming soon!
2023 Keynotes
Stephen Michael
Retired Aussie Rules
Footballer Stephen Michael is widely considered to be one of the greatest ever players from Western Australia. A proud Noongar man from Kojonup, Western Australia, Stephen's playing career included winning a premiership, representing his state 17 times, and being named the All Australian Captain. He has been inducted into his club, state, and national hall of fames and named to the Indigenous Team of the Century. Stephen is the founder and patron of the Stephen Michael Foundation, which introduces children of all races and abilities in rural and metro Western Australia to a wide variety of sport.
Starr Chief Eagle
Starr Chief Eagle is a Lakota Hoop Dancer and Cultural Educator. A first generation bachelor's degree earner in Lakota Studies, dispelling misinformation about her people is Starr's life and career goal as a performer, educator, and cultural interpreter. Starr provides Artist Residencies through the South Dakota Arts Council and often performs at the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Park. Starr's work is vital to helping families reconnect with their culture though her example of hard work and education.
Amos Rodriguez
Hiking and hunting the hills and volcanoes of Central America gave Amós Rodriguez a foundation for his primitive skills life practice. Growing up in the context of the El Salvador Civil War increased his urban and wilderness survival and awareness skills. During the post-war period, Amós assisted rural communities devastated by the violence. These experiences increased his humanism, his self-identification as a native of Central America and highlighted the need to be an advocate for strong sustainable communities.
In the fall of 2000, he received a scholarship to finish his higher education in the United States. This education, as well his travel experiences, allowed him to move deeper into his connection to place, ancestry and self. Spiritual journeys, such as the Sundance Ceremony of the Oglala Lakota Sioux, have reinforced the pillars in which his spiritual life and practice are based.
Tanaya Winder
Tanaya Winder is an author, singer / songwriter, poet, and motivational speaker who comes from an intertribal lineage of Southern Ute, Pyramid Lake Paiute, and Duckwater Shoshone Nations where she is an enrolled citizen. She received a BA in English from Stanford University and an MFA in creative writing from the University of New Mexico. Winder’s poetry collections include Words Like Love and Why Storms are Named After People and Bullets Remain Nameless. Tanaya’s performances and talks blend storytelling, singing, and spoken word to teach about different expressions of love and “heartwork.” Her specialties include youth & women empowerment, healing trauma through art, creative writing workshops, and mental wellness advocacy.
QUESTIONS ABOUT GIYS?
Contact our Family Camp Director:
Email: pete@siouxymca.org
Y Phone: 605.365.5232
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Mailing Address:
PO BOX 218
Dupree, SD 57623