Greetings!

We are the Browning High School Close Up Club, based on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana. This spring, our group of 15 students is working hard to raise money to attend the 2026 Close Up: Native Youth Summit in Washington, D.C taking place April 26-May 2.

Last year, we were fortunate to take a group of students to this same summit, and the experience was nothing short of life-changing. Our students came home inspired, empowered, and motivated to be leaders in their community. They built lasting friendships with Native students from across the country, shared their voices on issues that matter deeply to Native communities, and presented policy proposals directly to decision-makers in Washington, D.C. The growth in confidence, civic understanding, and pride in their identity was incredible to witness—and it has had ripple effects here at home.

This year, we want to continue that momentum and provide this transformative opportunity to a new group of Browning High School students. Over the course of six days in Washington, D.C., they will:

The Close Up: Native Youth Summit is an empowering and powerful experience—one that helps our students see that their voices matter and that they have the ability to shape the future for their communities.

We are actively organizing local fundraisers, but with a total cost of around $2,400 per student, we need help reaching our goal. Every dollar donated goes directly to making this trip possible for Browning High School students.

We are deeply grateful for any support you can provide. Your contribution helps ensure that the next generation of Native leaders has the opportunity to grow, learn, and be heard on a national stage.

Thank you for supporting our students and investing in their futures.

Sincerely,

Colin Sibbernsen

Browning High School Teacher & Close Up Club Advisor

This year's students are: Koen CalfRobe, Harmony Lahr, Maya Andreas, Keyenna DeRoche, Christian Scout, Eli Edwards, Rose Cree Medicine, David Burdeau, Jaeden Gilham, Dani Coursey, Alexis Higgins, Ariel McFadyean, Lily Juneau, Tiazhona Yellow Owl, Shaia Webber, and Jaden SureChief.

Testimonials from last year's trip to DC:

"Traveling across the country was so exciting for me; Especially to get away from home and make memories with my peers. My favorite part of the trip was visiting all the monuments and museums. Most foods made my stomach feel sick. It was one of the only times where I had actually had good seafood, still it didn’t feel right with me. I never was the type of person that liked fish.

I was taking pictures and videos of practically everything on Snapchat. I didn’t quite like the feeling of being a tourist. I enjoy learning about other natives' culture, history, and preferences. I made a friend who is from Alaska, and thought she was pretty cool.

The close up trip allows for many Native Americans from all around the country to come together to share their culture struggles, and bring it to attention to the higher power that has the ability to actually change something. It’s important for the youth to speak about their peoples conflicts, what their currently struggling with, and representing it to the board."

-Rylynn Harwood

"I had the opportunity to visit Washington DC with 8 other classmates to learn about leadership. Traveling across the country, without my parents, was scary at first but when I got there I was excited. I met so many great new people from Alaska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Colorado. I feel like the highlight of my trip was making a policy proposal about MMIW. This trip showed me all the challenges other tribes face around the country. I also got to tell other people what goes on in my community, and the challenges that my community faces. I believe Close up is valuable to the Browning highschool students because it teaches them leadership, government, history, and teaches them how to engage into their community. I would like to thank everyone that supported us, helped us, and donated to us. I would also like to thank Mr. Sibbernsen, and Ms.McKay. I wouldn’t have been able to experience this once in a lifetime trip without you all, thank you!"

-Ronelle CalfBossRibs

"Thank you to everyone who donated money for our trip, without you we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy our experience in DC. You all made it possible for us to travel across the country and meet new people. My group and I talked about how much fun we had and how we didn’t wanna go back home so soon because we enjoyed our trip so much. Being able to meet other Native teens and discussing Native issues was something valuable my peers and I took from our trip. Having that connection with strangers turned friends gave everyone a sense of community. So again, thank you for your donations. Thank you for your generosity and interest in our group’s purpose in DC. We needed a lot of money for our trip and your contributions helped a lot."

-Aiyahna Green

"I would like to thank you for your contribution to our goal for the “close up” trip. It meant so much to me and my peers for us to go to Washington D.C. To experience that trip made me a better person, the thing I got to see, experience, and learn was exponential in my growth to adulthood and being a person that can help in my community. Furthermore, being able to see how it is on that side of the country, seeing our country’s capital, and seeing how it works was breathtaking. Lastly I would like to let you know that what you did for us was a gracious gesture."

-Jacob Burns

"I would like to personally thank the sponsors for supporting us and encouraging me and other students to go along this fun and educational trip. It definitely would not be possible without all of you guys. I believe that this trip gave us an overall good experience and allowed us to experience off reservation life and I truly believe we could accomplish so much and it's thanks to you guys for helping us achieve our goal. We are super grateful."

-Jazlyn NewRobe.