Ponca Tribe youth attending Gen-I in Washington, D.C.

Native American youth from across the nation are gathering in Washington, D.C., for a special summit called by the White House.

More than 875 teens representing 230 tribes, including youth from the Ponca Tribe, meet today with First Lady Michelle Obama and cabinet members to discuss economic opportunity, education, cultural issues and other topics.

It’s part of Generation Indigenous, or Gen-I, a White House initiative that kicked off earlier this year with a brainstorming session in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Officials say the goal is to remove barriers blocking tribal youth from reaching their potential.