Editor's Note: I'm proud to say that I have seen this young man make some radical changes in his life. He learned to re-invent the negativity foisted upon the Indian in America into a strong voice for change for himself and his people. His dedication to Native American youth trapped in the foster care system is without parallel and is driven by his own experiences and his deep and unapologetic love for his people.

If Indian Country can produce one young man such as this, there is the potential for many more to come forward and speak to a real change in the Indian in America. Mr. Goodwin knows who he is and isn't afraid to say so. He speaks to a reality that is attainable once the Indian looks to him and herself and our own paradigms rather than those instilled in us by the colonialist mind-assassination that has genocidally burdened the America's Indigenous people for the past five centuries.

Are we moving forward? It will depend on how far Indian Country is willing to support its warriors. And this young person needs and deserves all of our support.

- The Angryindian
------------------------------------------------------------

2008 Aspen Ideas Festival - 2008 Speakers and Moderators

Charles (Mishkomaengun) Goodwin lives in Seattle, WA and is a 22 year old American Indian from the Black Foot and Keetowah tribe. He has been an active participant in a number of Casey Family Programs initiatives designed to improve services and outcomes for the more than 500,000 young people in foster care across the U.S. He also has worked as a Mentoring Coordinator at the nation’s first and only urban Boys and Girls Club for Native Americans located in Seattle. Goodwin’s speaking engagements have included: First Annual Indian Child Welfare’s Native American Lobby Day where he spoke in the company of Senators, Governor Christine Gregoire, tribal leaders, foster parents, other foster youth and social work professionals; the Northwest Indian Youth conference and the National Native American Mentoring Conference. Goodwin was in foster care from the ages of 13 – 18 years old.