Launched in 2014, this program celebrates the remarkable achievements of 25 exceptional Native youth leaders under the age of 25 across Indian country. As a national recognition initiative, it honors Native American and Alaska Native youth who embody UNITY’s core mission, showcasing their commitment to living a balanced life while nurturing their spiritual, mental, physical, and social well-being. Native youth can travel to UNITY sponsored events and attend vital leadership training during the Native youth’s term.
The program empowers Native youth by uplifting their voices, encouraging them to take pride in their identities and contributions. It fosters community building by highlighting the achievements of these leaders, creating a sense of collaboration among Native youth from various tribes. Additionally, the recognition serves as a powerful source of inspiration for future generations, illustrating the impact they can have when they pursue their passions and stay committed to their communities.
The program empowers Native youth by uplifting their voices, encouraging them to take pride in their identities and contributions. It fosters community building by highlighting the achievements of these leaders, creating a sense of collaboration among Native youth from various tribes. Additionally, the recognition serves as a powerful source of inspiration for future generations, illustrating the impact they can have when they pursue their passions and stay committed to their communities.
This page is dedicated to the program and a resource where those interested may learn about the application process, program activities, and upcoming events, and meet the current/incoming class of 25 Under 25 Leaders.
2026 UNITY 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leadership Awards Program
2026 UNITY 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leadership Awards Program
The 2024-25 Class of 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders
The 2024 Youth Leaders are:
- Alyssa Mosley, 23, Nanticoke Lenni Lenape of New Jersey
- Anagali Duncan, 21, Cherokee of Oklahoma
- Carmella Bear, 17, Penobscot of Maine
- Dasia Peters, 22, Mashpee Wampanoag of Massachusetts
- Derek Capitan, 24, Laguna Pueblo/Navajo of New Mexico
- Evelyn Enos, 19, Akimel O’odham/Tohono O’odham of Arizona
- Elise Lamas, 19, Tohono O’odham of Arizona
- Faith Iukes, 14, Tulalip of Washington
- Gabriel Jurado, 19, Siletz of Oregon
- Gabriella Nakai, 17, Choctaw/Navajo of Arizona
- Georgia Harjo, 17, Muscogee (Creek) of Oklahoma
- Ian Teller, 23, Navajo of Arizona
- Jenna Makes Good, 22, Dakota Sioux of Kansas
- Jori Cowley, 23, Cherokee/Delaware of Oklahoma
- Kiara Tanta-Quidgeon, 23, Mohegan of Connecticut
- Laney Marie Lupe, 23, White Mountain Apache of Arizona
- Mariah Hernandez-Fitch, 23, Houma of Louisiana
- Natallie Battiest, 21, Choctaw of California
- Nizhoni Deschene, 16, Navajo of Maryland
- Precious Vicente, 24, Akimel O’odham/Hopi of Arizona
- Racquel Jean Oliver-Britton, 22, Yuki of California
- Samantha Eddy, 22, Navajo of Arizona
- Sophia Turning Robe, 21, Spokane/Siksika of Washington
- Steve Harvey, 22, San Carlos Apache of Arizona
- Talon Watchman, 17, Navajo of Arizona
The 2022-23 Class of 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders
The 2022 Native Youth Leaders are:
- Ajah-Rain Yellowhair, 17, Navajo, NM
- Alexis Large-Cooley, 17, Confederated Tribes of Siletz, OR
- Ally Gee, 22, Navajo, CO
- Bella Nayquonabe, 17, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, MN
- Candice Joe, 19, Navajo, AZ
- Charles Mason, 18, Mvskoke (Creek) Nation, OK
- Chelbie Turtle, 21, Cherokee Nation, OK
- Elijah Cota, 20, Pascua Yaqui, AZ
- Elizabeth Bryant, 20, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, OR
- Jasmine Lamas, 18, Gila River Indian Community, AZ
- Jonathan Arakawa, 22, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, WA
- Jovi J. Williams, 17, White Mountain Apache Tribe, AZ
- Kanyen Mousseaux Begay, 17, Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, SD
- Karri Montero, 21, Ketchikan Indian Community, AK
- Kiera Toya, 21, Pueblo of Jemez, NM
- Lourdes Pereira, 21, Hia-Ced O’odham/Tohono O’odham, AZ
- Maci Schott, 22, Ponca Tribe, NE
- Morgan Messimore, 18, Delaware Tribe of Indians, OK
- Nathan Solorio, 15, Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation, PA
- Lilly Painter, 20, Winnebago/Kiowa Tribe, OK
- Leticia Cervantes, 20, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, OK
- Samuel Lopez, 19, Tohono O’odham Nation, AZ
- Samuel Uuyavuk Schimmel, 22, Kenaitze Indian Tribe /Native Village of Gambell, AK
- Shanell Lavallie, 23, Aanih and Nakoda, MT
- Truman Pipestem, 20, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, OK
The 2020-21 Class of 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders
The 2020 Native Youth Leaders are:
- Adrien Pochel, Wuskwi Sipihk First Nations Cree, Illinois
- Alayna Harkreader, Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma
- Alysia Coriz, Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico
- Angela Noah, White Mountain Apache, Oregon
- Anthony Tamez, Wuskwi Sipihk First Nations Cree & Sicangu Lakota, Illinois
- Autumn Adams, Yakama Nation, Washington
- Bianca Hernandez, Gila River Indian Community, Arizona
- Brook Thompson, Yurok & Karuk, Oregon
- Caleb Dash, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Arizona
- Claudia McHenry, MvSkoke, Oklahoma
- Dylan Baca, White Mountain Apache, Arizona
- Frankie Pedersen, Listuguj Mi.gmaq First Nations, Illinois
- Kaitlyn Pinkerton, Cherokee, Oklahoma
- Kennise McGertt, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Arizona
- Kylie Hunts-In-Winter, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Arizona
- Logan Monroe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota
- Marco Ovando, Shoshone Paiute, Idaho
- Nadira Mitchell, Navajo, Arizona
- Niagra Rockbridge, Navajo, Arizona
- Owen Oliver, Quinault Indian Nation, Washington
- Sareya Taylor, White Mountain Apache, Arizona
- Shayla French, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan
- Timothy Benally, Navajo, ArizonaÂ
- Wyomee Cooke, Navajo, ArizonaÂ
- Yasmine Quiroz, Gila River Indian Community, Arizona
The 2018-19 Class of 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders
The 2018 Native Youth Leaders are:
- Asheligh Fixico, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma
- Audriana Mitchell, Colorado River Indian Tribes, ArizonaÂ
- David Warmack, Tohono O’odham Nation, TexasÂ
- Elwood McClellan Jr., Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, Oklahoma
- Faith Long, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina
- Frederick Gipp, Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, Kansas
- Jasmine Wildcat, Northern Arapaho, Wyoming
- Jayden Lim, Pomo, California
- Katherine Carmain, Rosebud Sioux, TexasÂ
- Kellian Staggers, Navajo, New Mexico
- Lance Sanchez, Tohono O’odham Nation, ArizonaÂ
- Lauren Shelly Pina, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Arizona
- Maddie Lamb, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma
- Mariah Jordan Sharpe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, ArizonaÂ
- Maritza Nuglene-Gomez, Inupiat, Alaska
- Nancy Deere-Turney, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma
- Sapphire Carter, Chippewa Cree, Montana
- Savanna Rilatos, Confederated Tribes of Siletz, Oregon
- Shasta Dazen, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Arizona
- Sky Wildcat, Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma
- Tashoni Morales, Tachi-Yakut/Te-Moak W Shoshone, California
- Tristan Joe, Navajo, New Mexico
- Vonica LaPlante, MHA Nation, North Dakota
- Xavier Medina, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Arizona
The 2016-17 Class of 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders
The 2016 Native Youth Leaders are:
- Anissa Garcia, Akimel O’odham, Arizona
- Birk Albert, Athabascan, New York
- Brayden White, St. Regis Mohawk, New York
- Caitlin Bordeaux, Rosebud Sioux, South Dakota
- Christie Wildcat, Northern Arapaho, Wyoming
- Cierra Fields, Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma
- Claullen Tillman, Eastern Shoshone, Wyoming
- DeLesslin George-Warren, Catawba, DC
- Dyami Thomas, Klamath/Leech Lake Ojibway, Washington
- Eric Woody, Navajo, New Mexico
- Hamilton Seymour, Nooksack, Washington
- Jessica McCool, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, California
- JoRee LaFrance, Crow Nation, Montana
- Lakota Pochedley, Citizen Potawatomi, Oklahoma
- Mariah Gladstone, Blackfeet, Montana
- Michele Danner, Inupiaq, Alaska
- Rebecca Kirk, Klamath, Washington
- Rory Wheeler, Seneca Nation, New York
- Sara DeHerrera, Choctaw Nation, California
- Sarah Jones, Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma
- Seth Cooper, Walker River Paiute/Assiniboine/Muscogee Creek, ArizonaÂ
- Shandiin Gorman, Navajo, Arizona
- Tatiana Ticknor, Dena’ina/Tlingit, Alaska
- Vance Home Gun, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana
- William Lucero, Lummi, Washington
The 2014-15 Class of 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders
The 2014 Native Youth Leaders are:
- Alex Wesaw, Pokagon Band Potawatomi
- Chelsea Wilson, Cherokee
- Collin Church, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
- Dahkota Brown, Wilton Rancheria
- Dallas Pinkham, Yakama
- Desirae Rambler, San Carlos Apache
- Drew Phillips, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of The Potawatomi
- Dyan Melvin, Hopi
- Haley Trefon, Dena’ina Athabascan Indian
- Jewel Honga, Hualapai
- Kelly Charley, Navajo
- Keturah Peters, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
- Lauren McLester-Davis, Oneida
- Layha Spoonhunter, Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho and Oglala Lakota
- Leslie Locklear, Lumbee and Waccamaw Siouan
- Maria Bartlett, Pascua Yaqui
- Megan LaRose, Navajo
- Nataanii Hatathlie, Navajo
- Nathalie Tomasik, Cherokee
- Sarah Jo Schilling, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
- Savannah Ingram, Confederasted Tribes of Grand Ronde
- Susun Fisher, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
- TaNeel Real Bird, White Clay Tribes/Ft. Belknap Nakoda and Apsaalooke
- Taylor Ann Charlie, Navajo/Sandia Pueblo
- Teressa Baldwin, Inupiaq EskimoÂ
United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) is proud to announce the latest cohort of the 25 Under 25 National Native Youth Leaders, a prestigious recognition program celebrating the achievements of young Native American and Alaskan Native leaders. Launched in 2014, this biennial initiative honors 25 outstanding youths under the age of 25 who exemplify UNITY’s core values and strive for holistic well-being in their lives.
Supported by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Illuminative, this program provides Native youth with the opportunity to travel to the National Recognition Awards ceremony and engage in essential leadership training during their term.
United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) is proud to announce the latest cohort of the 25 Under 25 National Native Youth Leaders, a prestigious recognition program celebrating the achievements of young Native American and Alaskan Native leaders. Launched in 2014, this biennial initiative honors 25 outstanding youths under the age of 25 who exemplify UNITY’s core values and strive for holistic well-being in their lives.
Learn More about 25 Under 25 Native Youth Community Impact:
News Releases
Stanford’s Sweethearts: An Inside Look at the Life of the first Native American Stanford Dollie
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The feeling of being a Stanford Dollie on the sidelines under the Saturday Night
November 20, 2025
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Pacific
Where in the World is Mary Kim Titla?Â
This week, UNITY’s very own Executive Director, Mary Kim Titla (San Carlos Apache), has been
August 28, 2025
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25 Under 25
The Power of Service: Top Ten Issues and Community Action for 2025–2026
At the National UNITY Council (NUC) Business Meeting on June 30, 2025, during the National
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Training Sessions
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At the 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference, Native youth took powerful steps toward self-sufficiency and leadership
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NUC Executive Committee
Native Youth Wellness – Reclaiming Health Through Cultural Identity
At the 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference, Native youth explored wellness through a cultural lens—connecting physical,
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Native Youth
Healing Through Heritage – Native Youth Reclaim Mental and Spiritual Wellness Through Cultural Practice
The 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference fostered healing through powerful conversations around the intersection of culture,
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Embracing Identity – Youth Reconnect with Culture Through Storytelling and Creative Expression
The 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference in Phoenix, Arizona brought together Native youth from across the
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UNITY Midyear Conference
Power of the Pen – Native Youth Find Healing Through Storytelling
UNITY’s 2025 Midyear Conference celebrated the legacy of oral tradition and the power of written
February 19, 2025
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