Dahkota Franklin Kicking Bear Brown (Miwok/Concow/Yuki enrolled with the Wilton Rancheria), an award-winning youth activist, is the founder and President of the nonprofit, NERDS (Native Education Raising Dedicated Students), which works to improve the lives and academic performances of Native students through cultural awareness, education, and substance abuse prevention. Dahkota is also a traditional dancer and served as a White House Youth Ambassador.