YLI 2023 Reflections

Claudia Plesa, Conditions for Learning Manager

Over 85 students from across the state attended YLI 2023, alongside over 25 caring adults/chaperones. Students leaders came from Alaska Gateway, Aleutians East, Anchorage, Bering Strait School District, Chatham, Copper River, Cordova, Kenai, Fairbanks, Galena, Hoonah, Iditerod, Juneau, Kake, Kashinamiut, Kodiak, Kuspuk, Lower Kuskokwim, Lower, Yukon, North Slope, Northwest Arctic School District, Sitka, Southeast Island, Yukon Koyokuk, Yupiit school districts.  

Students got to know each other, took part in planning workshops around issues impacting their peers, shared their experiences with board members and educational leaders from across the state.

Students also had leadership, art and self expression, self care, dance and song, advocacy and using your voice to make change workshops. They spent time with leaders from across the state- to learn stories, strategies and ways they can make an impact on issues important to them. Some of the issues talked about in depth were mental health supports, staffing and school funding, access to culturally responsive curriculum and to leadership opportunities for youth.  

AASB would like to thank Sealaska and the Mental Health Trust authority for their support for our students at YLI. Both organizations provided scholarships for students not typically able to attend, provided funding for self care and mental health support and speakers, and made sure student voices are heard in decision making spaces.

To find out more about YLI 2023, or any of our other youth events, email Claudia Plesa or call 907-463-1660.

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