Honoring Native American People’s Day with Carla Knapp: A Visionary Leader for Native Youth Services

Carla Knapp, National Vice President of Native Services, Boys & Girls Club of America, Enrolled Tribal Member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, Born into the Bear Clan.?We are honored to feature her today as we pay tribute to all Native Americans for Native Americans People’s Day.??To learn more about that, click here.

Carla has received numerous awards including the Executive Director’s Award for demonstrating outstanding performance, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Native Service to Youth Award, the Maytag Leadership Award honoring dependable leaders throughout the BGCA movement, the National Indian Gaming Association Chairman’s Leadership Award, the 2019 W. Errol Sewell Leadership Award, and was most recently named the recipient of the 2021 Linkage’s Women’s Leadership Executive Impact Award.

Carla is married to Joseph Knapp, a tribal member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, and is the proud mother of two children, Gary and Imalah.?With the support of her family, Carla’s mission is to provide opportunities that improve the lives of youth and communities.

What is your personal/professional story?

For 23 years, I have been part of the Boys & Girls Club movement. Since my time at BGCA and through the creation of BGCA Native Services in 2013, I have had the great privilege of working with so many of our Sovereign Tribal Nations to sustain and support the development of Boys & Girls Clubs who are shaping their future leaders. Watching the vast potential of the young people whose lives these Clubs have impacted come to fruition as they graduate high school, earn their degrees, become the next Tribal leaders, Tribal employees or go out into the world to inspire change in their own professional careers is nothing short of extraordinary; it’s what keeps me sustained in this important work each and every day.

It has been and is such an honor to lead such an incredible team, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Native Services team works tirelessly to bring culturally relevant services, programs, resources, trainings, and cultural competency to all of our Sovereign Tribal Nations who have a Boys & Girls Club or the desire to establish a Native Boys & Girls Club. I am incredibly proud of BGCA Native Services and all we have accomplished collectively and feel hopeful about what the future holds for us.?However, it is just as important to thank all that walk alongside us on this journey; our Tribal Leaders, Club Leaders, Club Staff, and our Partners and Ambassadors, for their unwavering dedication to advancing our mission. None of this would be possible without the commitment of BGCA to support the bright futures we envision for Native youth.?

In my career, there is nothing better than seeing our Clubs provide a safe nurturing environment where our Native youth build resilience and thrive as their true authentic selves as we work together on behalf of future generations. The future of our communities rests in the hands of our youth and a Tribal seven generations principle. It is their health and well-being that will impact the future of many Native communities and Boys & Girls Clubs build leaders.

Where do you find community??

I find community within the Native Services team at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, I find community within the nearly 250 Native Boys & Girls Clubs sites. We are family, we are my extended family.?I find community where I can show up as my true authentic self, a space that is created that provides that sense of belonging.?

What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?

Many people know or hear me say that I am a daddy’s girl, but many don’t know why. I was born in the late 60’s and little did I know that the 70s would play a huge role in shaping who I am today. In the 70’s my tribe was fighting for their Federal Tribal Recognition.?My dad was and is a fierce warrior for Tribal Sovereignty and at such a young age I didn’t fully understand what that meant, but what I did know is that he would use his voice any chance he could.???

As I got older and understood what this meant, I understood his sacrifice, learned the power of his voice, perseverance, grit, and determination. I saw his courage and strength as a strategic visionary leader - knowing when to use his voice and when not to, to walk quietly, to make a presence, and little did I know that this would shape me and my life forever.

During my professional path, I found my voice. I have learned when to use it and when to take a step back, when to walk quietly, when to make a strong presence, and most importantly to never lose my true authentic self and carry that same spirit of respect my father has for Tribal Sovereignty.

Where does your passion to serve come from?

I was always told as a little girl by my dad “You were born with gifts, and it is your job to find out what those gifts are, don’t let those gifts go to waste, know your strengths, you have great work to do." I always knew that I wanted to do something greater, so I started to make not only personal goals but also professional goals.

I had a vision, a vision of the future – and most importantly how I wanted to be as a leader, and how I wanted to contribute to others.?

That vision has helped me advance in my role today because I knew my future vision and what I was working towards. I feel truly honored to serve and support nearly 250 Native Boys & Girls Clubs across the Nation.?

Every day in my work, I think about how I want to be remembered, did I make a difference, did I do my best, and was I able to contribute and make a difference not only for this generation but for generations to come???

I love the saying, I wake up with determination and go to bed satisfied knowing that I did my best. People, passion, and purpose.

How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?

Help raise awareness of the great work that is happening through Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country

Continue to elevate and empower indigenous people.