A Valley teen is one of more than a dozen young women being honored by the White House for their achievements.
The honor is part of a celebration of International Day of the Girl, which is on Oct. 11. First Lady Jill Biden is recognizing the young women for “leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States.”
Arizona’s honoree is Gabriella Nakai from Phoenix.
The White House says the 17-year-old “is a Navajo and Choctaw leader dedicated to furthering food security and sustainability, indigenous sovereignty, and youth advocacy.”
With her daughter in the presence of the First Lady a few doors down, Katosha Nakai beamed with pride moments before her youngest was honored at the highest level of government.
“Most importantly, see the impact they’re making in the world that’s fantastic,” she said.
When Katosha’s daughter, Gabriella, who goes by Gabbe, saw the lack of produce on shelves on the reservation during the pandemic, the Arcadia High School student sought to change that by not just growing produce, but finding food that thrives in our desert climate.
”She’s growing Hopi pumpkins, Navajo watermelon, seeing how they work and survive in these drought conditions, it morphed into a sustainability project for her, it’s just amazing,” said Katosha.
On top of the soil she works in, Gabbe uplifts Native communities by supporting mental health, in part, as a Yoga instructor. She also promotes sustainable seed saving, and, as a member of the Choctaw nation whose father is Navajo, she founded her school’s Native American Club.
On Wednesday, she took the podium next to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
”The resilience and strength of indigenous people inspire me. My cultural upbringing and my people’s ability to adapt while keeping our traditions alive teach me to accept change but also be a change maker,” said Gabbe.
If you ask her mom what Gabbe hopes to be one day, she says anything from a yoga instructor to a congresswoman — as long as it’s helping others.
