SAVE ON 2026 REGISTRATION FEES - REGISTRATION IS OPEN
UNITY Midyear Conference Registration Rates:
Full Rate: January 1 – January 9 – $550
For payment questions please email Marquez Quintero at accounting@unityinc.org
About The UNITY Midyear Conference
More than 700 Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native youth (ages 14-24) and advisors will gather in Phoenix, Arizona, in early January for the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference, where the focus will be on “Collective Impact: Building Power Through Purpose.”This three-day leadership experience will offer immersive training in community organizing and youth council development, equipping participants with tools to create meaningful change in their communities. Youth will engage in hands-on training centered around asset mapping, interactive team-building, and Indigenous leadership practices. They’ll explore how to identify local strengths, work collaboratively, and lead effectively as part of a UNITY Youth Council.The 2026 Midyear curriculum will guide participants in creating a 10-Step Action Plan for a future community service project addressing one of four critical areas: Mental Health & Wellness, Social Justice, Cultural Revitalization, or Climate Action. These action plans will empower youth to return home ready to organize, inspire, and lead with purpose.
Throughout the conference, youth will also enjoy cultural sharing, peer networking, and engaging speed-workshops and breakout sessions that honor Native traditions while building leadership capacity. UNITY is proud to welcome dynamic speakers and trainers who are committed to advancing community wellness and civic engagement throughout Native communities.
Join us in Phoenix to ignite your voice, sharpen your skills, and unite with peers who are ready to build a movement of collective impact across Native Country.
UPON ARRIVAL at REGISTRATION, EACH YOUTH ATTENDEE WILL SELECT ONE OF THE FOUR TRAINING TRACKS TO BE THE FOCUS OF THEIR COMMUNITY ORGANIZING ACTION PLANS:
Mental Health & Wellness Track
Possible project plans include:
- Hosting peer-led talking circles, healing spaces, or youth wellness summits
- Developing social media campaigns on suicide prevention, coping strategies, or historical trauma
- Organizing school-based efforts to incorporate wellness breaks, safe spaces, or Native-centered mental health curriculum
Social Justice Track
Possible project plans include:
- Mobilizing for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives (MMIWR) awareness events
- Hosting community forums on ICWA, voter suppression, or educational equity
- Launching advocacy toolkits to educate peers on sovereignty, treaties, and civil rights
Cultural Revitalization Track
Possible project plans include:
- Organizing youth-led language revitalization workshops or culture camps
- Creating digital storytelling projects documenting elders’ knowledge and stories
- Leading efforts to restore traditional games, foods, dances, or regalia making in schools and communities
Climate Action Track
Possible project plans include:
- Leading clean-up or restoration efforts for local rivers, forests, or sacred sites
- Collaborating with tribal environmental departments to raise awareness about water and land protection
- Building school gardens, composting programs, or renewable energy projects that reflect traditional land practices
There will be a separate training track for Advisors and Youth Advocate attendees (over 25 years old), focused on youth council development to help support Native youth complete their Action Plans.
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
340 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Phone: (602) 262-2500
Remember to mention "UNITY" when booking your hotel to take advantage of discounted rates
Conference Host Hotel
Conference Speakers
Billy Mills
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Education:
* University of Kansas, KS. / 1962, Bachelor of Science Degree in Education
* University of Kansas, KS. / 2019, Honorary Doctor of Humanities
* School of the Mines and Engineering Science and Technology University / 2022, Honorary Doctor of Public Service
Military Service:
* United States Marine Corps. / 1962 – 1965 / Rank: Captain / Honorable Discharge U.S.M.C., 1965
Appointments:
* Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports / 1979 -1980
Business:
* Billy Mills Speakers Bureau / Public Relations and Speakers Bureau
* 10K Gold Productions / Promotions and Publishing Company
Running Strong for American Indian Youth (IndianYouth.org).
* Billy Mills Running Strong for American Indian Youth Scholarship / 2003 / University of Kansas, KS.
* Dream Starter / 2014 to present / Washington, D.C.
* Dream Starter Teacher / 2016 to present / Washington, D.C.
Honors and Awards:
* Olympic Gold Medalist, 10,000 Meter Run / 1964 / Tokyo, Japan
World Record, 6 Mile Run / 1965 / San Diego, California
5 American Records, Track and Field / Multiple Locations / 1964 – 1965
* Inductee 8 Sports Hall of Fame, including the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame / 1976 and
the United States Olympic Hall of Fame / 1984
* Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Century for the State of South Dakota / 2000
* Presidential Citizens Medal / 2013 / President Barack Obama
* Theodore Roosevelt Award / 2014 / National Collegiate Athletic Association
* Lifetime Achievement Award / 2015 / Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
* Billy Mills Middle School / 2018 / Lawrence, KS.
* Greatest Distance Race on the track in the 20th Century / Running Times Magazine and Number 1 in
the “100 Greatest Track & Field Battles of the 20th Century” / Jeff Hollobaugh
Judith Le Blanc
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Judith is a citizen of the Caddo Nation. She has been the executive director of Native Organizers Alliance (NOA) for eight years. She leads a national Native training and organizing network that supports tribes, traditional societies, and community groups, urban and reservation, in organizing grassroots political power to achieve Native sovereignty and racial equity for all.
Judith is a board member of the Movement Strategy Center and chair of the board of the NDN Collective. She currently serves on the Environmental Justice Working Group, convened by US Representatives Raul Grijalva and Barbara Lee. Judith was a 2019 Roddenberry Fellow. In 2022, she was a Resident Fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Harvard University.
Paige Bethmann
Director & Producer
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Paige Bethmann is a Haudenosaunee woman and first-time feature filmmaker based in Rochester, New York. Over the last 10 years, Paige has worked in non-fiction television for various digital and broadcast networks such as ESPN, PBS, Vox Media, Youtube Originals, USA, and NBC. Her directorial debut REMAINING NATIVE premiered at SXSW winning a special Jury Award and Audience Award. In 2024, Paige was named by DOC NYC’s 40 under 40 list of filmmakers to watch. She is a graduate of Ithaca College, with a bachelor’s degree in Film, Television, and Radio from the Park School of Communications.
Paige has been supported and recognized by Tracksmith Running Fellowship (2021), IDA/Logan Elevate (2022), Points North Institute CNN American Stories (2022) PGA Create (2022), 4th World Media Lab (2023) BAVC MediaMaker Fellowship (2023), DocSociety Climate Story Unit (2023), Sundance Edit & Story Lab (2023), DocLands DocPitch (2023), CMP’s Shifting Voice’s Film Fund (2023), Big Sky Pitch (2023), and the New America Fellowship (2024).
Kutoven Stevens
Long Distance Runner, Actor
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Kutoven is a long-distance runner and student at Washington State University studying Art and Anthropology. In 2021 Ku organized the Remembrance Run garnering attention from local and national news outlets such as the Reno Gazette Journal, New York Times, RedBull Magazine, MileSplit and more. Kutoven is a 2x Gatorade Player of the year recipient and was awarded Reno Gazette Journal’s Citizen of the year for his activism surrounding Indian boarding schools. Ku aspires to be a spokesperson and shoe designer at Nike.
WORKSHOPS
WHAT IS A SPEED WORKSHOP?
Calling ALL Exhibitors and Workshop Presenters!
Are YOU ready for our 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference? Bring YOUR ideas and passion to the round table! Set up a booth in our exhibitor foyer and showcase the amazing work that YOU AND YOUR TEAM are doing in YOUR Community!
Let’s make it fun!
Workshop Submission Deadline: November 7, 2025 by 5:00pm.
Similar to speed dating, presenters will have 25 minutes with each group of 10-12 Native youth participants. You will be required to present 4 times. The youth will rotate between tables of topics that interest them. The participants come to the table. You present your topic for about 15 minutes, then, for the remaining 10 minutes you engage the participants in discussion questions about your topic. Your job is to carry the discussion and to make sure everyone has a better understanding of the topic at the end of the 25 minute period.Please remember – this format of “workshopping” is meant to keep your audience engaged and feeling comfortable enough to contribute to the discussion. It’s also meant to share and to learn in a safe and positive atmosphere. Have fun with this new way of presenting your information.
Please note: Honorariums are not provided for workshop presenters. A One-Day Conference Pass is provided on Day-Of workshop presentation only (for presenters). To experience the Midyear Conference in its entirety, please register and pay for full registration. Email questions to LorenAshley at la.buford@unityinc.org
SPECIAL EVENTS
The O’odham Cu:dk is an evening dedicated to honoring the ancestral lands and vibrant traditions of the O’odham people. This family-friendly, drug- and alcohol-free event is being organized by youth council members, advisors, tribal royalty, and schools from the Four Sister Tribes:
- Ak-Chin Indian Community
- Gila River Indian Community
- Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
- Tohono O’odham Nation
EXHIBITORS
Package Rates
⟐ Vendor & Exhibitor: $600.00
⟐ Meet up to 750 Native Youth, ages 14-24 and their adult advisor
⟐ Education & Career Expo – Saturday
⟐ Speed workshop presentations
⟐ All day and evening activities
⟐ Cultural Sharing Night open to the community and public
Each Exhibitor/Vendor Booth Will Include
⟐ One (1) 6-ft table
⟐ Two (2) Chairs-ft table
⟐ Two (2) non-transferable registrations
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can we submit registration name changes? And when is the last day to submit name changes?
2. Can I get a registration reimbursement, if I cancel my registration?
3. Will there be On-site Registration?
4. Will I be able to get a refund if I don’t show up?
5. Can I attend the conference by myself, if I’m 18, without chaperone?
6. Do advisors have to register?
7. Is there a one-day registration fee?
8. Will masks be mandatory?
9. What are some of the Covid19 protocols for this conference?
10. Are COVID-19 vaccines required to attend?
11. Can we pay a fee to attend just the luncheon?
12. Are Checks or Purchase Orders accepted when making registrations?
13. Is there a dress code for the conference?
14. How many people can stay in a room?
15. Will there be other host hotels with discounted rates?
16. What if we plan to arrive a day or two early or stay extra days? Will hotel rooms be available at the conference rate prior to or after the conference?
17. Will transportation be provided to and from the airport?
18. How far from Sky Harbor Airport is the hotel/conference site?
19. Do I have to be in a UNITY affiliated youth council to attend the conference?
20. Are students under the age of 14 allowed to attend?
21. Can I participate in the conference if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
22. What will the weather be like in Phoenix, during the conference days?
23. I’m an Exhibitor. Will electrical power be available for my booth space?
24. What will my speed workshop area be equipped with?
25. What are the parking fees?
26. What are some fun things to do around the hotel in Phoenix?
27. Will there be places to eat near the conference site?
28. Where can I go for medical help, if needed?
