Grand Canyon River Trip for Native Young People
Spend nine days rafting through the Grand Canyon with fellow Indigenous leaders and cultural knowledge holders.
The Grand Canyon Regional Intertribal Intergenerational Stewardship Expedition (RIISE) is an immersive cultural journey.
On this annual river trip through the Grand Canyon, Indigenous young leaders learn traditions, narratives, and histories of the canyon from cultural knowledge-holders of tribes who call this place home.
RIISE is hosted by the Grand Canyon Trust and Grand Canyon Youth, with support from Arizona Raft Adventures and Grand Canyon Expeditions.
Ready, set, goJoin us on the river July 19-27, 2026
The trip is completely free for all selected participants, including transportation, gear, and all meals.
What will you do during the expedition?
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. See the general itinerary
Raft the Colorado River
Spend nine days running whitewater rapids and hiking up side canyons to waterfalls.
Camp in the Grand Canyon
Eat delicious meals, play games on the beach, and sleep under a ribbon of stars.
Learn about environmental justice
See how Indigenous voices are shaping the future of the Grand Canyon.
Who can apply?
The Grand Canyon RIISE river trip has space for 18 youth participants and three 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.
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 Joel Nicholas at JNicholas@hopi.nsn.us
Knowledge holders Are you an adult knowledge holder?
Apply by March 23, 2026
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.
General itinerary
Accepted applicants commit to six weeks of pre-trip online learning as well as the full river trip July 19-27, 2026.
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.