From the Crow Nation to Arizona State University, Whitney Robinson is using leadership, resilience, and service to create opportunities for Native youth and inspire the next generation.
This month’s Community Spotlight shines on Whitney Robinson, an 18-year-old Crow and Navajo youth whose energy, vision, and drive are already making an impact far beyond her years. An urban Native entrepreneur and founder of Generations Forward LLC, Whitney is grounded in both culture and community while boldly stepping into spaces of leadership and innovation. Whether she’s advocating for youth voice, building her business, or participating in opportunities like the Expanding Horizons Youth Conference, she carries a clear commitment to growth, responsibility, and lifting others as she moves forward.
Here is Whitney’s story, in her own words.
Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Whitney Robinson, and I am an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation. I’m from Billings, Montana, and recently graduated from Skyview High School. This fall, I will be attending Arizona State University, where I plan to study Social Justice and Human Rights on a pre-law track.
Throughout high school, I was involved in student leadership, public speaking, advocacy, entrepreneurship, pageantry, and community service. I was able to represent my community on stages across the country while developing a passion for leadership and public service. Along the way, I learned a great deal about myself and the impact one person can have when they are willing to step outside their comfort zone. One of my favorite parts of those experiences has been meeting new people, hearing their stories, and learning from different perspectives. They have also allowed me to travel, experience new places, and share my love of music through playing the cello. I love grabbing a delicious signature coffee wherever I go.
Being Native American is one of the most important parts of who I am. My culture, family, relationships, and community have shaped my values and the way I see the world. I come from people with a strong history of resilience, leadership, and perseverance. Those teachings continue to shape the person I want to be and the way I hope to live my life.
As I look toward the future, I hope to continue building bridges between communities, creating opportunities for young people, and helping ensure Native American voices are represented wherever important decisions are being made.
Who were your mentors growing up? What did they teach you?
My greatest mentors have been my family, especially my mother and my grandpa. My mother taught me the importance of hard work, determination, networking, and believing in myself even when things feel difficult. She encouraged me to introduce myself, build relationships, seek out opportunities, see both sides of every situation, and never be afraid to step outside my comfort zone. She taught me not to sit back and wait for things to happen, but to be willing to put myself out there and pursue the things that mattered to me. Looking back, many of the experiences that have shaped my life started because of the lessons she taught me.
My grandpa taught me the importance of culture, community, education, and service. He helped me understand where I come from and why it is important to stay connected to my roots. I have also been fortunate to have great friends and family, as well as teachers, advisors, and community leaders who invested in me and encouraged me to become a leader.
The older I get, the more I appreciate those lessons. They have shaped how I approach leadership, how I build relationships, and how I try to support others along the way.
What was it like growing up as an urban Native youth in Billings?
It was both rewarding and challenging. Growing up in Billings gave me opportunities to be involved in a lot of different activities and meet people from a variety of backgrounds. At the same time, there were moments when I felt like people made assumptions about me before they truly got to know me or expected me to fit a certain stereotype.
As I got older, I learned that I did not have to choose between being proud of my culture and pursuing my own interests outside of it. I could honor my culture while also exploring my own interests, goals, and dreams. Learning that gave me a stronger sense of confidence in who I am and helped me realize that there is no single way to be Native.
That understanding continues to shape how I see myself today and who I want to be, and it has given me the confidence to be myself wherever I go.
You have shared that you experienced racism in high school. How did that experience shape you and your decision to speak up for others?
Experiencing racism in high school was difficult, and there were moments when I felt hurt, frustrated, and misunderstood. Being judged based on stereotypes rather than who I actually was opened my eyes to the challenges many students continue to face. It was an important reminder that discrimination is still very real in today’s world and that education and understanding are still needed in many communities.
It would have been easy to stay quiet, but the experience taught me the importance of speaking up, even when it feels uncomfortable.
I learned that while I cannot control how other people see me, I can control how I respond and how I carry myself. Looking back, those experiences made me more resilient, strengthened my confidence, and reinforced the importance of standing up for myself and others.
Was there a moment when you truly embraced your Native identity and became proud of who you are?
I wouldn’t say there was one specific moment. It happened gradually as I got older and became more confident in who I was. The more I learned about my culture, my family, and where I come from, the more I appreciated being Native and the role it plays in my life.
As a young person, there were times when I felt different from those around me. As I grew older, I stopped viewing that as something that set me apart and began to see it as something that made me unique. I realized that my culture is not just part of my background. It is part of who I am.
Today, I am proud of who I am and where I come from. I am grateful for the values, teachings, and experiences that have shaped me, and I carry those with me wherever I go.
How did your parents and grandparents and traditional Native teachings influence the person you are today?
My parents and grandparents played a major role in shaping the person I am today. They taught me the value of respect, kindness, humility, and perseverance. They encouraged me to pursue my goals while remaining grounded in my culture, my faith, and remembering where I come from.
Traditional Native teachings have influenced how I approach leadership and service. I was taught to think beyond myself and consider how my actions affect my family, community, and future generations.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate those lessons even more. They continue to guide the decisions I make and remind me to stay grounded in who I am and where I come from.
You recently gave a TEDx talk about finding your voice through resilience. What does that message mean to you?
My TEDx talk focused on the idea that resilience and confidence often grow together. Throughout my life, there have been moments when I felt uncertain, discouraged, or afraid to speak up. I learned that confidence is not something you are born with. It is something you build through experience, growth, and perseverance.
That message means a lot to me because I know some young people feel like their voices don’t matter, or they doubt themselves, or even question whether they belong. I want them to understand that they do not need to have everything figured out before pursuing a particular goal or making a difference. Sometimes the most important step is simply being willing to try, even when you are afraid of failing.
Growth happens when we choose courage over fear.
Tell us about Generations Forward LLC. What inspired you to start it, and what impact do you hope it has on Native youth?
Generations Forward MT was created out of my passion for advocacy, education, and helping young people recognize their potential. As I became more involved in leadership and public speaking, I saw an opportunity to create a platform that could help people connect with Native voices and experiences while also encouraging youth to build confidence and leadership skills of their own.
As I continued developing Generations Forward MT, people in my network connected me with resources that helped support and expand the project. I was honored to receive a Montana Tribal Tourism grant to create new opportunities for cultural education, storytelling, and community engagement. That support reinforced my belief that there is value in helping people connect with Native voices, stories, and experiences.
My hope is that Generations Forward MT serves as a bridge between communities while inspiring Native youth to see the value in their own stories, perspectives, and potential. I want young people to know that they can make a difference, pursue their goals, and find their own ways to give back to their communities. If I can help even one young person discover their confidence and step into leadership, then I will consider that a success in my heart.
You’ve accomplished a lot already, from pageantry to advocacy to entrepreneurship. What motivates you to keep pushing yourself?
I am motivated most by my younger sister, Reese. She is entering 7th grade this fall, and I want her to grow up knowing she is capable of so much and that her voice matters. I want her to never feel limited by the same experiences of racism or doubt that I faced growing up. She inspires me every day because I see so much potential in her, and I want to help build a world where she can step into her future with confidence and opportunity. I am also motivated by all Native youth, my family, and the responsibility I feel to set an example for them.
Knowing that my work can have an impact beyond myself also motivates me.
Every opportunity I have been given has come with the chance to open doors for others.
Whether I am speaking to students, advocating for Native representation, or building my business, I want my efforts to encourage others to believe in themselves, see what is possible, and realize they are capable of more than they may think. That sense of purpose keeps me grounded in everything I do.
I am also motivated by the sacrifices my family has made and the support I have received from mentors and community members. Their belief in me inspires me to continue growing and challenging myself. I know there is still so much to learn, and I hope that by continuing to grow, I can provide the same kind of encouragement and support that Reese and so many other youth and young adults deserve.
You’re heading to Arizona State University to study social justice and pre-law. What inspired your interest in law and public service?
My interest in law and public service developed through my experiences in leadership and advocacy. As I became more involved in issues affecting Native youth and communities, I realized how important laws, policies, and public institutions are in shaping people’s lives. I wanted to better understand those systems so I could be part of the conversations and decisions that affect people’s livelihoods.
I also have a legal internship with a local law firm. My phenomenal boss, Liz, strengthened that interest even further. As a civil rights attorney, she introduced me to work that closely aligns with my own interests in advocacy and helping others. The experience allowed me to see how the legal system works and how attorneys can help people navigate difficult situations, and it’s given me an even greater appreciation for the role law can play in helping people and communities.
I look forward to continuing my advocacy work and helping create greater opportunity and fairness within our communities.
You’ve said you hope to become a lawyer and possibly run for office one day. What changes would you like to see for Native communities?
I would like to see greater access to education, stronger support systems for Native youth, and more Native leaders serving in roles at the local, state, and national levels. Native leaders are already making important contributions in our communities, tribal governments, and organizations.
I believe our country benefits when people from different backgrounds and experiences are able to contribute their perspectives and talents to the conversations and decisions that shape our future.
What gives you hope for the future?
What gives me hope is seeing the incredible work being done by Native youth across the country. Through leadership conferences, workshops, community events, and organizations like UNITY, I have met young people who are passionate about serving others, preserving culture, and creating positive change. Their dedication, optimism, and vision remind me that the future is bright.
I am also honored to have been selected as one of UNITY’s 25 Under 25 honorees this year, a national recognition that celebrates Native youth leaders who are making an impact in their communities and beyond. While the recognition is amazing, I look forward to connecting with other young leaders, learning from their experiences, and building relationships with mentors from across the country. I look forward to seeing the scale of impact Native youth and leaders are making nationwide and learning from people who are strengthening organizations, creating pathways for others, and making a difference in unique ways.
I am also hopeful because I see more Native leaders making an impact in education, business, government, and media. There is still work to do, but I believe progress is happening.
Every time I see someone step into a leadership role, pursue their goals, or use their talents to help others, it reminds me of what is possible.
What advice would you give to Native youth who are still trying to find their voice?
My advice would be to remember that what you have to offer matters, even if you do not feel confident yet. Finding your place and growing into who you are takes time, and it does not happen overnight. Give yourself permission to learn, grow, and make mistakes along the way. You do not have to be perfect to make a difference.
Stay connected to your culture, seek out mentors, and never underestimate the power of your story. Some of the opportunities that have shaped my life happened because I was willing to take a chance before I felt completely ready. Trust yourself, be willing to step outside your comfort zone, and remember that there is strength in who you are and where you come from.