Listed here are some of the things NYA has done since its founding in 1990:
•Sponsoring programs for children and youth in the Washington, DC, area from 1993-2001. Activities have included workshops and practice sessions on traditional music, dancing, crafts, cooking, etc.
•Holding the Presidential Inaugural Pow Wow/Winter Dance every January since 1997. Held January 19th, 1997, 2001 & 2005 for the Presidential Inaugural, and all years as an event to honor our Youth & Elders and celebrate our sovereignty. From January 2011 on, this event will be known as the Presidential Pow Wow each year.
•Holding ceremonies to honor all those who have served to defend the People in all conflicts, every November since 1996.
•Holding "Tipi on the Mall for Native American Heritage Month," a thirty-day vigil on the Washington Monument grounds, every November from 1999 to 2002.
•Holding the Spring Events in Recognition of the Restoration of the Buffalo Nation each May from 1999-2002. Events have included tipi vigils, pipe ceremonies, and the "Singing Back the Buffalo Pow Wow."
•Holding the Healing Global Wounds Pow Wow every year from 1993 to 2000, honoring all those who have suffered the effects of the nuclear cycle.
•Holding the first Native American Church service ever held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in November 1999. This historic event was led by a Road Man from the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska & Iowa. NYA also hosted the Walk of the Warriors' first NAC meeting in our Lodge during our "Tipi on the Mall" vigil in 2001.
Stepping in at the emergency request of the Intertribal Bison Cooperative (now known as Intertribal Bison Council) in 1997 to conduct a pipe ceremony on the steps of the US Capitol. Pipe ceremonies were held simultaneously by Arvol Looking Horse at Yellowstone Park and by Joe Chasing Horse at Bear Butte.
•Attending other spiritual gatherings, prayer ceremonies, and conferences throughout Indian Country, including those in Akwesasne (NY), Ward Valley (CA), Big Mountain (AZ), and Monterrey (Mexico).
•Working with the Gwich'in Steering Committee, the Ft Mojave Tribal Council, and others to hold vigils in DC for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Ward Valley, Yucca Mountain, and other issues threatening Native Peoples and all of Creation.
•Supporting and accompanying the Peace & Dignity Journey 1992 through Eastern Kansas, at Leavenworth Penitentiary, and on the Kickapoo Reservation. For Peace & Dignity Journey 1996, organized and held spiritual runs in and around Washington, DC.
•Supporting Native American inmates in their right to practice their traditional spiritual ways. Visiting with those at FCI Schuykill (PA), FCI Cumberland (MD), and Leavenworth Penitentiary (KS). Brought pow wow to those at FCI Manchester (KY) in November 1994 & 1995.
•Supporting the release from prison of Leonard Peltier since 1990. Hosted the showing of Robert Redford's film "Incident at Ogalala" in the US Capitol Bldg in 1993.
•Supporting many Native Peoples & Nations by distributing literature about their situations, circulating petitions, and providing video showings & talks on the issues they face.
