CONNECTING THE RAINBOW
Connecting the Rainbow is an intergenerational program supporting the mental health of Native youth by fostering relationships with elders and reconnecting them with cultural traditions, language, and spirituality. Through storytelling, cultural exchange, and creative platforms like podcasting, filmmaking, and writing, youth can strengthen their identity, build resilience, and preserve Indigenous wisdom for future generations—all while creating space for healing and self-expression.
Connecting the Rainbow will launch in Fall 2025 with Eriona Tapahe, learn more about her below.
THE PROBLEM
Native youth face barriers to accessing Indigenous ancestral knowledge, traditional ecological practices, and Native storytelling because of historical oppression, systemic erasure, and limited opportunities in rural reservation communities, contributing to elevated mental health, substance use, and suicide rates.
THE SOLUTION
Strengthen the mental health of Native youth by nurturing intergenerational connections and empowering them to reclaim and share their cultural identity through creative storytelling. Using platforms like podcasting, filmmaking, and writing, youth preserve Indigenous wisdom while promoting healing, self-expression, and cultural continuity.
.jpg)
APPROACH
01
Create safe and supportive spaces where Native youth can engage directly with elders learning ancestral traditions, stories, and cultural practices.
03
Nurture youth reconnection to cultural identity, gaining a stronger sense of belonging and purpose, leading to improved mental health outcomes and reduced risks associated with isolation and disconnection.
02
Provide training and resources to document youth learnings through podcasting, filmmaking, and writing, ensuring the preservation and
broader sharing of Indigenous knowledge.
04
Amplify Indigenous voices by widely sharing youth-created content, fostering a greater appreciation of Native cultures and traditions among both Native and non-Native communities.
GOAL
Strengthen the mental health of Native youth by nurturing intergenerational connections and empowering them to reclaim and share their cultural identity through creative storytelling. Using platforms like podcasting, filmmaking, and writing, youth preserve Indigenous wisdom while promoting healing, self-expression, and cultural continuity.
Meet Eriona Tapahe.
Eriona is the inaugural recipient of Connecting the Rainbow. She first became involved with Protect the Sacred after participating in our 2023 Native Youth Summit and later went on to become a 2025 PTS Fellow.
Eriona Tapahe is a recent graduate of Utah Valley University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in American Indian Studies. She is a strong advocate for expanding job opportunities for Navajo people and has dedicated her efforts to working with Native youth to support career readiness and mentorship. Passionate about empowering her community, Eriona combines her academic background and leadership experience to create meaningful pathways that foster growth, opportunity, and long-term success.
Her Connecting the Rainbow project explores how attending a Navajo immersion program in her early school years shaped and continues to shape her connection to culture, education, and community, guiding who she is today and how she hopes to serve her people.