State Wide Policy Advocacy Cohorts

MT Opportunity Youth Collaborative

What is the MT Opportunity Youth Collaborative?

Together as the Montana Opportunity Youth Collaborative, we are building a statewide infrastructure to center youth voice, leadership, and advocacy in shaping Montana’s future. Through the launch of the Montana Youth Advisory Council and collective strategies, we have set our sights on dismantling systemic barriers, improving mental health supports, and fostering belonging and well-being for young people across the state. The Montana Opportunity Youth Initiative is a collaboration among EmpowerMT, HRDC’s Blueprint Continuum, and Reach Higher Montana. We are committed to youth leadership development, amplifying youth voices, addressing systemic inequities, and improving well-being across the state. This partnership is founded on the belief that by uniting to bring young leaders together, we can create a powerful force for positive change and enhance the sense of belonging, meaning, well-being, and purpose of our stellar Montana youth advocates.

UpRising Fellowship

The UpRising Fellowship is a new statewide leadership development opportunity for woman-identifying youth from Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.    ‍ ‍

UpRising brings together young woman-identifying BIPOC leaders (ages 16–24) from across the state for one year of virtual training to develop skills in leadership, storytelling, and policy advocacy. The fellows identify issues they would like to work on and create action plans to implement youth-led solutions to their communities’ pressing needs. Participants receive a $2,000 fellowship. 

The fellowship launched in January 2026 and consists of monthly virtual trainings and two in-person gatherings. Thirteen amazing individuals were selected for the inaugural cohort, through a nomination and application process. We were truly wowed by the achievements and passion of these young leaders. 

UpRising is supported through a partnership between EmpowerMT, the Women’s Foundation of Montana, and the national Young Women’s Initiative. The program leads are Silver Little Eagle and Faith Price, with youth co-facilitators Katie Carson and Lizzie Mills-Low. Contact Faith Price at faith@empowermt.org with any questions.

MT Opportunity Youth Advisory Council Nominees

The Montana Opportunity Youth Collaborative welcomes applications for the Montana Youth Advisory Council from young people (ages 14–24) who care about mental health, community belonging, and creating positive change across Montana. Whether you're an outspoken advocate, a quiet thinker, an artist, or an organizer—we believe your voice belongs at the table.

If selected, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Participate in monthly virtual meetings and two in-person gatherings each year (all expenses covered)

  • Receive an honorarium of $2,000 ($500/quarter) in recognition of your time, experience, and expertise

  • Work alongside youth from across Montana to identify priorities and influence local and statewide policies

  • Learn and grow through storytelling, advocacy, and systems-change training grounded in the pillars of Belonging, Meaning, Well-being, and Purpose (BMWP)

UpRising Fellows 2026

  • Nahááh Nanííshʔíitʔɔ Alexis Bigby

    UpRising Fellow

    Nahááh Nanííshʔíitʔɔ Alexis Bigby. Hello! My name is Red Willow; however, my English name is Alexis Bigby. I am an enrolled member of the Gros Ventre (Aaníííh) Tribe that resides on the Fort Belknap reservation. I am also a graduate of Aaníííh Nakoda College, and I completed an AA degree in business administration while graduating with honors. I am seeking to complete my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. I am majoring in Political Science with a concentration in public law and political theory at the University of Montana. Once I obtain my BA, I plan to attend the Alexander Blewett III School of Law, where I plan to earn my JD. I am also currently working part-time as a Program Assistant at the University of Montana, supporting First-Year Indigenous students.

  • Cecelia Spencer

    UpRising Fellow

    My name is Cecelia Spencer and I am a junior at Hellgate High School. I am a descendant of the Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) and Seliš (Salish) tribes on my mother’s side and Klickitat on my father’s side. 

    Within my school, I have worked as the co-president of the Native American Students Club (NASC) to increase a sense of community among Indigenous students. As part of the work in that club, I led a project that brought Salish language into our school in the form of engraved signs with translations on them.

    I was lucky to get to work as a Youth Outreach Director on a local political campaign, getting to observe firsthand the power of engaging young people in politics. In 2024 I organized a student advocacy opportunity where students from my school were able to travel to the State Capitol to participate in a rally in suppport of the environment. 

  • Jonaye Doney

    UpRising Fellow

    Hello, my name is Jonaye Doney, and I am from Hays, MT. I am an enrolled member of the Aaniih (Gros Ventre) tribe on the Fort Belknap reservation. I am a junior at the University of Montana pursuing a bachelor's degree in the art program. I am passionate about Indigenous issues and uplifting the youth, along with climate issues. I also enjoy baking, spending time with family and friends, and gardening in the summer.

  • Khadija Alkhalil

    UpRising Fellow

    My name is Khadija Alkhalil. I am a senior in high school and I am 18 years old. I was born in Syria, lived in Lebanon, and now I live in the United States. Moving between countries has shaped who I am and helped me see the world in different ways. I am passionate about human rights and justice, especially for people whose voices are not heard. I speak Arabic and English. In my free time, I love reading books. I am excited to be part of UpRising and to grow as a young leader.

  • Lucy Lopez

    UpRising Fellow

    My name is Lucy Lopez. I am an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke tribe (Crow). I live in Missoula but my family is from Pryor, Montana. I’m in 11th grade and have been homeschooled my entire life. I enjoy reading, writing, drinking tea, being outside, rock climbing, and spending time with my friends and family. I am passionate about women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the MMIWmovement.

  • Malak Melak

    Malak Melak

    UpRising Fellow

    My name is Malak Melak.
    I was born in Baghdad and am based in Montana. I am a Dental Hygiene major at UM. My passions are women’s rights, travel, and the outdoors.

  • Naomi Fisher

    UpRising Fellow

    Hello my name is Naomi Fisher. I’m from Arlee, Montana and I’m enrolled in the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes. I'm currently a junior enrolled in Arlee High School working to graduate with honors. I'm passionate about human rights and would like to learn more about it. I enjoy sewing, gaming, art, and reading in my free time. I'm proud of who I am and am proud to be a young Native woman.

  • O’Maste-Win Foster

    UpRising Fellow

    O’Maste-Win Foster (she/they) – “First Day of Light Woman” – is of the Blackfeet Nation, Assiniboine and Dakota Peoples of Fort Peck. In May 2025, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Media Arts with a concentration in Digital Filmmaking, alongside a certificate in Business Entertainment Management. My creative practice is grounded in data-based storytelling shaped both by lived experiences and Indigenous/colonial histories. My work approaches narrative as both a powerful tool for recentering truth within historically oppressed communities and, when mishandled, a mechanism of erasure through technology and delivery systems.

  • Patience Matt

    UpRising Fellow

    I am 19 years old. I use she/they pronouns. I’m originally from St. Ignatius, MT and moved to Missoula for my sophomore year of high school.

    I’ll be attending Missoula College in Fall 2026 for Culinary Arts and Food Entrepreneurship. I’m a mixed non gender conforming person although I do present very feminine. I am Native American (Salish Kootenai, Blackfeet, and Little Shell) and Black. My activism and passion for social justice is directly connected to intersectionality and acceptance of different aspects of my identity. 

  • Raine Weaselhead

    UpRising Fellow

    Hello, my name is Raine Weaselhead. I am a current member of the UpRising Fellowship. 

    Through this program as well as my personal life, I hope to understand and strengthen my identity as a mixed woman of color, and to find a sense of community and belonging. In my career and personal ambitions, I dream to live a life of self growth, creating and seeing meaningful change, and to push myself and my communities forward.

    I love to listen to music, dance, teach, cook, go swimming, camping, attend concerts, and hang out with my partner and best friend.

  • Sariel Sandoval

    UpRising Fellow

    My name is Sariel Sandoval (she/her), and I am Se̓liš, Ql̓ispe̓, & Dine̓ from Ronan, Montana, of the Flathead Reservation. 

    I recently graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Native American Studies. After finishing my degree, I made the intentional decision to move back home and to work within my community. 

    I began working at Salish Kootenai College as the Supporting Tribal Educational Pathways (STEP) Assistant, but my role quickly evolved into becoming a full-time mathematics instructor and the Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (SEM) Lab Manager. 

    My work is grounded in a deep commitment to ensuring that Native and Indigenous Peoples have equitable access to education, particularly in STEM fields!

    Climate advocacy is also a central part of my journey. I have been honored to serve as one of the youth plaintiffs in Held v. Montana and Held v. Montana II, where I advocate for environmental responsibility and the protection of future generations. 

    Also, I am very excited to be a part of the UpRising Cohort of 2026!!!

    Outside of my professional and advocacy work, I enjoy beading, weaving, sewing, watching Netflix, and listening to true crime podcasts!

  • Shukaria Niazai

    UpRising Fellow

    My name is Shukaria Niazai. I am a tenth-grade student at Hellgate High School, originally from Afghanistan, and I currently live in Missoula, Montana. I am passionate about women’s rights and social justice. In my free time, I enjoy playing different sports for fun.

Registration will Re-Open Fall 2026 for both MT OYAC Fellowship and The UpRising Fellowship