The International Indigenous Youth Council (IIYC) was started and led by womxn and two-spirit peoples during the Standing Rock Indigenous Uprising of 2016 while peacefully protecting the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. In 2017 we extended the reach of the organization through a chapter model and now have IIYC chapters across Turtle Island, including Chicago, Denver, New Mexico, Southern California, South Dakota, Texas (Yanaguana Chapter) and Twin Cities Minnesota. We are rooted in the protection of the elements and have been brought together and continue to be guided by the prayer for the water. We aspire to inspire young individuals to build bridges of solidarity and become leaders of their communities.