Representatives of the Umatilla Tribes attended the White House Tribal Youth Gathering in Washington, D.C., on July 9, 2015. Photo from Facebook

Several young members of the Umatilla Tribes in Oregon attended the first-ever White House Tribal Youth Gathering in Washington, D.C., last week.

The youth were among the nearly 1,000 participants in the historic conference. They said the highlight was hearing from First Lady Michelle Obama and taking pictures with her.

"It really impacts us and that's why we strive to be leaders to help those who didn't have a chance to do what they can do," Lennox Lewis told KULR. "That's why we're here today to make a difference in our world."

Eight young members from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma also attended the event. The tribe's youth council launched the "Cherokee Language 2020 Challenge" to increase usage of the Cherokee language.

“Our Tribal Youth Council is a wonderful example of young Cherokee citizens with a desire to improve their communities, their tribe and their world,” Chief Bill John Baker said in a press release.

Get the Story:
Local Teens Return From D.C., Hope to Help Tribe (KULR 7/13)
White House Youth Gathering: Native Youth Have First Lady and President Behind Them (Indian Country Today 7/13)
Tribal Youth Council works with White House for Gen-I Challenge (Anadisgoi 7/9)

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