{"id":39672,"date":"2026-01-09T15:37:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T20:37:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/2026-native-american-40-under-40-class-announced\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T15:37:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T20:37:57","slug":"2026-native-american-40-under-40-class-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/2026-native-american-40-under-40-class-announced\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Native American 40 Under 40 class announced"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Dr.<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, Yankton Sioux Tribe<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

MESA, AZ \u2013 The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development is proud to announce the 2026 class of Native American 40 Under 40 recipients. Nominated by their peers, 40 Under 40 honorees exemplify leadership, initiative, and dedication and have made significant contributions to their professions and communities. The 40 Under 40 awards are now in their 17th year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 2026 honorees embody the spirit of rising together, achieving excellence while lifting up others and creating opportunities for their communities to thrive,\u201d said Chris James, President and CEO of The National Center. \u201cTheir accomplishments remind us that progress is the result of collaboration, innovation, and shared visions. I\u2019m thrilled to celebrate the 2026 class at RES and continue to follow their success in the years ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s awardees will be recognized at the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) from March 23-26, 2026, at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV. To learn more about RES and register, visit res.ncaied.org. The early bird discount is available through Wednesday, February 11.<\/p>\n

\"Cante<\/a><\/p>\n

Cante Heart, Rosebud Sioux Tribe<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThere is no doubt that Native talent and determination are shaping a bright future for Indian Country,\u201d said Lillian Sparks Robinson, Vice Chair of The National Center\u2019s Board of Directors and chair of the committee that reviews 40 Under 40 nominees. \u201cThe creativity, perseverance, and achievements of the 2026 class of Native American 40 Under 40 awardees are an inspiration for us all, demonstrating that we can rise together when passion meets purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more about the Native American 40 Under 40 here.<\/p>\n

2026 Honorees Are:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, Yankton Sioux Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jade Blankenship, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Robert Burkybile, Modoc Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 E. Skye Byrd, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana<\/p>\n

\u2022 Michael Charles, Dine\/Navajo Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Trish Chee, Dine\/Navajo Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Erin Casey, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma<\/p>\n

\u2022 Heath Clayton, Chickasaw Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Raymond Crow Eagle, Rosebud Sioux Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Joshua Emerson, Dine\/Navajo Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Robby Deere, Muscogee (Creek) Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Maximillian T. Frye, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes<\/p>\n

\u2022 Tanya Gibbs, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians<\/p>\n

\u2022 Loretta Grey Cloud, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Lauren Good Day, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (MHA) Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Natasha Hacker, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community<\/p>\n

\u2022 Cante Heart, Rosebud Sioux Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jonas Hill, Oneida Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Michael-Corey Hinton, Passamaquoddy Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Josh Jackson, Cherokee Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nicole Johnny, Dine\/Navajo Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Souksavanh Keovorabouth, Dine\/Navajo Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Theo Latta, Cherokee Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dakota Louis, Northern Cheyenne Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jordann Lankford, The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana<\/p>\n

\u2022 Alexandria McCorkle, Forest County Potawatomi Community<\/p>\n

\u2022 Anita Mitchell, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Alli Moran, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kristian Poncho, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana<\/p>\n

\u2022 John Preckwinkle III, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians<\/p>\n

\u2022 Keith Ray, Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dr. Crystal Miller, Walker River Paiute Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dr. Desi Small-Rodriguez, Northern Cheyenne Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Rochelle Stockwell, Suquamish Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Silas Tikaan Galbreath, Mentasta Tribe<\/p>\n

\u2022 Tyler Thomas, Cherokee Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Dr. Lois Stevens, Oneida Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jameson Wilson, Oneida Nation<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jordan Zickermann, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians<\/p>\n

\u2022 Steven Orihuela, Bishop Paiute Tribe<\/p>\n

The post 2026 Native American 40 Under 40 class announced<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Visit Original Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/div>

Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, Yankton Sioux Tribe MESA, AZ \u2013 The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development is proud to announce the 2026 class of Native American 40 Under 40 recipients. Nominated by their peers, 40 Under 40 honorees exemplify leadership, initiative, and dedication and have made significant contributions <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a>
Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> January 9, 2026<\/p>\n

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