Press release from the Hoopa Valley Tribe:

Cheng.

The Hoopa Valley Tribe is proud to announce that Uriah Cheng a  proud member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe and descendant of the Yurok and Chimariko tribes, has been selected to participate in the highly esteemed 2025 Native All-American Game.

This prestigious honor recognizes Uriah as one of the top 70 high school football players from Indian Country, celebrated for his athletic talent, academic achievement and leadership qualities. Uriah’s selection highlights his commitment to maintaining a strong grade point average while excelling on the football field, embodying the values of perseverance, discipline and community pride.

The Native All-American Game serves as a platform to showcase Native youth talent and leadership, inspiring the next generation of Native athletes and leaders. As a participant, Uriah will represent not only community but also his tribal heritage, demonstrating the strength and resilience inherent in Native youth.

“This is an incredible honor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase my skills and represent my tribes,” said Uriah. “I look forward to connecting with other talented Native athletes and sharing our culture and traditions through this experience.”

Starting this week, Uriah will begin weekly meetings via Zoom with mentors and coaches to prepare for the game, focus on leadership development and build his skills. During the week leading up to the game, he will attend a camp where he will work with experienced coaches, participate in position exercises and learn leadership lessons from community leaders and mentors. The game will feature coaching from former NFL players Derek Fine, Ahman Green, Levi Horn and Chase Johnson, and will be covered by national media, offering Uriah valuable exposure and the opportunity to meet college recruiters and professional organizations

Uriah has expressed enthusiasm for this opportunity and is actively engaging in fundraising efforts to cover the costs associated with travel and participation, as the expenses for transportation and other expenses are not provided. The community is encouraged to support Uriah in this endeavor as he prepares to represent Indian Country on this exciting stage.

Your donation — whether big or small — will make a meaningful difference in helping Uriah seize this incredible opportunity. Together, we can support his journey to grow as an athlete and a youth leader.

The Hoopa Valley Tribe congratulates Uriah on his achievement and wishes him success as he prepares for the 2025 Native All-American Game. His dedication and leadership serve as an inspiration to all Tribal members and Native youth across Indian Country.

For more information or to contribute to Uriah’s fundraising efforts, please email info@nativeamericanpathways.org or donate here:  https://gofund.me/07ed2b29f .