January marked a month of connection, transition, and cultural engagement for Rhiannon Eaglespeaker of Blackfeet and Kiowa heritage. As a Rocky Mountain Executive Committee Member of the National UNITY Council, Rhiannon began the year by strengthening relationships with Native youth leaders across the country and continuing community involvement in Montana.
The month began with Rhiannon attending the UNITY Midyear Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The gathering brought Native youth leaders together from across the UNITY network to collaborate, participate in workshops, and build lasting relationships. For Rhiannon, it was an exciting opportunity to meet fellow leaders and connect more closely with members of her Rocky Mountain region.
UNITY gatherings provide Native youth—including Native Hawaiian and Alaskan Natives—a space to share culture, ideas, and leadership strategies while celebrating the diversity of Indigenous communities. The Midyear Conference allowed Rhiannon to experience the many personalities, traditions, and perspectives that youth bring from their respective tribes and regions.
Reflecting on the experience, Rhiannon shared how meaningful it was to meet so many people from across the UNITY network. “Meeting everyone has been such a wonderful experience of culture and personality shock, everyone is so unique and funny. I’m so glad I get an opportunity to be a part of all the events.”
After the conference, Rhiannon relocated to Bozeman, Montana, where she began participating in activities organized by the American Indian Council at Montana State University alongside fellow UNITY leader Watson Whitford. The council hosts regular weekly events designed to bring Native students together, strengthen campus community, and create welcoming spaces for Indigenous students attending the university.
Through these events, Rhiannon has been able to meet many Native students, build new friendships, and stay engaged in campus life. Being involved in these gatherings allows Native youth leaders to support one another academically, culturally, and socially while continuing their leadership journeys.
Rhiannon’s January experiences reflect the mission of the National UNITY Council (NUC): to represent Native youth with a unified voice while developing leadership skills rooted in Native heritage and teachings. Through national conferences and community engagement, UNITY empowers Native youth to connect, collaborate, and return home prepared to strengthen their communities.
As a Rocky Mountain Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Rhiannon helps elevate the voices of youth from her region while working alongside fellow representatives and Co-Presidents to guide national priorities. From building relationships at UNITY Midyear to creating community on campus in Montana, she continues to demonstrate how Native youth leadership grows through connection, culture, and shared experience.
