Native youth advocate Jesse Gould wins scholarship, pushes for better mental health and Native history education

Jesse Gould, a member of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, says a scholarship to Montclair State University will help him study psychology and build mental health programs for Indigenous youth. His advocacy also targets New Jersey schools, where he wants more accurate Native history and stronger representation. Why it matters: - Jesse Gould’s scholarship and advocacy put two urgent issues in focus at once: Native youth mental health and how New Jersey schools teach Native history. - Gould says the goal is to create culturally informed mental health support for his community and reduce the isolation many Indigenous students face. - His push for better curriculum and representation aims to address identity erasure in classrooms and strengthen Native student visibility. What happened: - Jesse Gould, a member of the Pùkuwànkuichik (Turtle Clan people) within the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, was awarded a scholarship to Montclair State University. - Gould plans to study psychology, with a focus on mental health and mental illness, if accepted to the university. - Gould is also pressing New Jersey leadership to improve how Native American history and Native identity are reflected in schools. - In a formal letter, Gould called attention to the lack of representation, inaccurate historical narratives and identity erasure affecting Native youth in classrooms. The details: - Gould says his long-term goal is to establish accessible mental health programs tailored to his community. - The programs are intended to address generational trauma and create safe spaces for healing and growth. - Gould said his own experience of being separated from his community at a young age led to a loss of identity as a Lenape individual. - He credits his return home and his community with helping him rebuild his foundation and reconnect with his cultural roots. - Gould says his advocacy builds on efforts started under previous state leadership to integrate accurate Native American history into school curricula. - His stated priorities include accurate representation of Native American history, especially the presence and legacy of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape people. - Gould also wants stronger partnerships between educational institutions and Indigenous communities. - He is calling for expanded cultural programs that empower youth and reinforce identity. - The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation says it continues community outreach, cultural programming and youth engagement. - The Tribal Nation also points to the Turtle Trading Post and future plans for a Native American museum as part of its heritage-preservation work. - The Tribal Nation serves New Jersey, Delaware, Philadelphia and surrounding regions. Between the lines: - Gould’s message reflects broader Indigenous concerns about colonization, forced displacement and historical erasure. - His emphasis on mental health shows how cultural loss and educational gaps can compound each other for Native youth. - The scholarship gives Gould a direct path to professional training that could support community-based care, rather than relying on outside systems alone. What’s next: - Gould plans to pursue psychology studies at Montclair State University if he is accepted. - His advocacy is likely to continue through letters, education efforts and youth-focused community work. - The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation says it will keep building programs tied to recognition, self-determination and cultural preservation. - Gould says his work is meant to help the next generation of Indigenous leaders use education and cultural pride to improve community life. The bottom line: - Gould is turning a scholarship into a platform for Native mental health access and better classroom representation in New Jersey.