May 16, 2013 - The Cherokee One Feather

18THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013 cherokee one feather/na tsalagi soquo ugidahliy Green program goes liveBy SHAWN SPRUCEpril was a busy month forHunter Thomas andDakota Brown as bothcollege students hit theroad to launch an excitnginitiative titled My Green; a socialedia campaign targeted to Nativeouth and finance. The programas created by First Nations DevelpmentInstitute with funding fromhe Financial Industry Regulatoryuthority to assist young people,ho are members of tribes that proideminor’s trusts, with challengeshey might encounter when receivnga sizeable payment.EBCI tribal members Thomasnd Brown were selected along withwo other young people from the HohunkNation in Wisconsin to serves spokespersons for the nationalampaign based on their experiencesith having personally received ainor’s trust payment.While My Green primarily usesocial media channels such as Faceook,YouTube, and Twitter to conectwith youth; the campaignrganizers chose live venues to kickff the program, staffing outreachooths at the Native American FianceOfficers Association Conferncein Nashville, Tenn. and theathering of Nations pow wow inlbuquerque, NM.Thomas traveled to both events,peaking with hundreds of peoplebout the program.“I’m really excited to be a part ofhe My Green team,” the 23-year-oldolfetown resident commented.It’s a great opportunity for Nativeouth across the country to sharexperiences, learn valuable moneykills, and discuss issues they mightncounter when receiving a largemount of money. I only wish theread been something like this when Iot my big money.”The My Green strategy consistsf a Facebook page and YouTubehannel designed to steer users to aPhoto courtesy of Shawn SpruceMyGreen spokespersons, and EBCI tribal members, Hunter Thomas (center) andDakota Brown (right) visit with Miss Cherokee Karyl Frankiewicz at the 2013 Gatheringof Nations pow wow in Albuquerque.website equipped with money tools,video interviews, a forum for youthto share meaningful dialogue, andeven a video game simulation thatallows players to try their hand atmanaging a “big money” payout.First Nations created the program inresponse to the demand to provide financialeducation to a growingnumber of Native youth who receivelarge lump sums as part of a minor’strust payout, many of whom mightlack the skills to handle such a significantwindfall.First Nations Project Officer,Ruben Hernandez, helped developthe campaign and assisted the teamin Nashville and Albuquerque, uploadingminute by minute Facebookposts, photos, and videos for MyGreen’s growing number of socialmedia followers. Moreover, he firmlybelieves in the power of social mediaas a platform to reach Native youth.“Take a look around and watchhow kids communicate today,”stated Hernandez. “They use phonesand other mobile devices to text,facebook, stream high definitionvideos, and play games. Our goal isto make financial information aseasy as possible for young people toaccess, so naturally we’re using technologyas our tool of choice.”Brown, who along with her campaignpeers, appears on life size MyGreen branded banners and postersas well as a video in which she tellsthe story of how, along with hermother, she created a detailed planto accomplish goals such as going toschool, attending cultural events,“I only wish therehad been somethinglike this when I gotmy big money.”- Hunter Thomas,EBCI tribal member andMy Green spokespersonand purchasing a new vehicle beforereceiving her “big money”. Moreover,the 24-year-old Snowbird communitymember not only worked theMy Green booth alongside Thomasat the pow wow, but even found theenergy to participate in the women’sjingle dress competition.“I had an awesome time in Albuquerque,”she said. “It was wonderfulto meet young Natives who facesimilar issues with money, and beable to listen to some of their concerns.I’ve always wanted to danceat Gathering too so that was a nicelittle added bonus.”The My Green road tour willcontinue through the summer andfall with stops scheduled at theUnited National Indian Tribal YouthConference in Los Angeles, CA onJuly 12-16 and the National IndianEducation Association Annual Conventionin Rapid City, SD on Oct. 30– Nov. 2.To learn more about the MyGreen Campaign, visit the website atwww.mybigmoney.org, like it onFacebook at mygreenFNDI or followon Twitter @mygreenFNDI.To pick up free My Green promotionalitems such as posters, sunglasses,water bottles, bumperstickers, and t-shirts stop by The SequoyahFund Office in the GingerLynn Welch Complex.Shawn is a programs consultant withthe Sequoyah Fund and First NationsDevelopment Institute. He can be contactedat sspruce@sequoyahfund.org or(828) 359-5004.