Youth Advocacy Institute 2025

Chookán, Lakrisha Brady, Youth & Cultural Education Coordinator

AASB’s Annual Legislative Fly-in and Youth Advocacy Institute (YAI) was held on February 8th – 10th in Juneau, Alaska. This Institute has been a great opportunity for school board members and youth leaders from across the state to gather and review statewide legislation that will affect schools across the state.

This year, YAI had representatives from 20 different school districts, and a total of 53 students and 18 chaperones. Each student had opportunities to explore various bills that were of interest to them. These included HB 69 Education Funding / BSA Increase, SB 41 Public Schools Mental Health Education, and HB 57 Communication Devices in Schools. With peers across the state, students discussed the three bills, and how they might impact their day-to-day lives in school. This year, students delivered exceptionally passionate testimony, highlighting the severe funding shortages and dire consequences of underfunding in their school districts. They shared vulnerable stories about what schools and their communities look like now, and they highlighted that none of their peers knows what a fully funded school looks like.

Students were taught the importance of advocacy, and how it ranges from preparing and delivering testimony to legislators, to written testimony, to showing up at local school board meetings, and more. Participants also had a chance to tour the Capitol building, and were able to ask Representative Nellie Unangiq Jimmie & Senator Jesse Keihl questions. Some questions included, “What did you look forward to in high school and what motivated you to attend?”, “What are ways to motivate teachers to stay in Alaska and prevent burn out?”, “What are Legislators doing to prevent/help with mental health issues with students and teachers?” and more. Gunalchéesh to both Rep. Jimmie and Sen. Keihl for their time and dedication to today’s Alaskan youth.

Students, alongside board members, testified to the Joint Education Committee, most focused on the need for fully funded schools. You can see these testimonies here.

If you’re interested in learning more about developing youth leadership skills and creating opportunities for student voice in your district, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Youth Leadership team. Find out more by emailing Chookán, Lakrisha Brady.