Grand Canyon River Trip for Native Youth

Calling Indigenous young leaders and knowledge holders

Join us July 20-28, 2025 for the fourth annual Grand Canyon Regional Intertribal Intergenerational Stewardship Expedition (RIISE)

The Grand Canyon holds many stories of creation and resilience. On this trip, Indigenous youth will learn traditions, narratives, and histories of the canyon from cultural knowledge-holders of tribes who call this place home. As we travel downriver, adult and youth participants on the trip will determine the cultural sites we visit and the content of discussions and workshops. We expect to share ecological knowledge of the Southwest, ethnographic knowledge of plants and foods, regional astronomy, and intergenerational perspectives of connection to place, among other cultural teachings.

Join this intertribal, intergenerational group of Native youth and knowledge holders to build your connection to — and meaningfully discuss the future of — this sacred space. Hosted by the Grand Canyon Trust and Grand Canyon Youth, with support from Arizona Raft Adventures and Grand Canyon Expeditions, this nine-day Grand Canyon river trip is one you won’t want to miss. There is no cost to participate.

Note: The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, guided by cultural advisors, does not endorse RIISE due to cultural considerations. For further inquiries or alternative opportunities, please contact Stewart B. Koyiyumptewa at skoyiyumptewa@hopi.nsn.us or (928) 734-3615.

Who can apply?

The Grand Canyon RIISE river trip has space for 18 youth participants and four adult knowledge holders. Based on tribal affiliation and application responses, we will try to distribute the participant spots as evenly as possible among members of the associated tribes of the Grand Canyon. Please contact us at risingleaders@grandcanyontrust.org if you have any questions.

Youth participants

Young people (ages 16 to 20) who identify as tribal members of tribes with cultural connections to the Grand Canyon. Application closes April 28, 2025.

Apply by April 28

Adult knowledge holders

Knowledge holders serve as tribal mentors, supporting young people in strengthening their relationships with their ancestral homelands, with one another, with their communities, and with themselves. We seek knowledge holders from tribes with cultural connections to the Grand Canyon who can share cultural reverence in this powerful space, while also providing spiritual care. Knowledge holders should be models of respectful co-leadership, honoring the intertribal nature of RIISE. Application closes Friday, March 21, 2025 at  p.m.

Apply by April 14

General itinerary

Pre-trip: The trip includes six weeks of pre-trip education and coursework (done online via GoogleClassroom) to familiarize participants with the Grand Canyon and local environmental justice issues. Participants will also meet with guides, knowledge holders, and other leaders on Zoom several times before the trip for online introductions, orientations, and Q&A sessions.

Day 0: The day before the launch, all participants will meet in Flagstaff, Arizona, with transportation provided to Lees Ferry, the start of your Grand Canyon river trip. There will be a camping and rafting orientation with the river guides.

On the river: Each day will be spent rafting down the Colorado River. Participants will ride rapids, stop at important cultural sites, and share stories and knowledge. Participants will cook delicious meals together in the evenings and discuss creative solutions to the complex environmental and social justice issues that threaten the Grand Canyon and its peoples.

Post-trip: The river trip ends at Diamond Creek, near Peach Springs, Arizona. Transportation back to Flagstaff is provided.

Accommodations

This is a camping expedition. Expect to sleep outside under the stars. All group rafting, kitchen, and camping gear will be provided. All shared meals, snacks, and water will be provided. Grand Canyon Youth has personal camping items and rafting gear to borrow. Please email Danya Gorel at risingleaders@grandcanyontrust.org with any questions.

Public health considerations

Our top priority is the safety and comfort of our trip participants. Precautionary measures that will be followed on trips to avoid the spread of communicable diseases will be communicated in pre-trip emails. If we feel that a trip cannot be safely conducted due to public health conditions, or for any other reason, we will cancel the trip with as much notice as possible. Contact risingleaders@grandcanyontrust.org with any questions.