Native Voices: Youth Writers from the 2026 Graton Writing Project

We’re honored to again present the talented youth of the annual Graton Writing Project, a series of writing workshops designed for middle and high school Native students from Sonoma County, California. The program culminates in a published anthology of their work, highlighting the students’ creativity and unique perspectives. Each year, participants collaborate with writing mentors to craft original pieces centered around a specific theme. Past themes have explored topics such as the environment/climate change, impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, preserving cultural heritage through the stories of Native American ancestors, and more broadly, their hopes for the future. This year, the students’ works will be inspired by exploring how the struggle for social justice within California Indian communities has impacted their respective families – and what responsibilities they have to ensure that any progress made is upheld moving into the future. Greg Sarris (The Forgetters,The Last Human Bear ), Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, will moderate this moving showcase, highlighting the powerful stories from the 2026 cohort. Presented by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.