The humid Florida air buzzed with the sounds of drums and voices as Native youth gathered among the swamps of Fort Lauderdale. For Southeast Executive Committee Member Ethan Hedgepeth (Cherokee & Tuscarora), stepping into the UNITY Earth Ambassador Gathering was more than an opportunity to meet other leaders—it was a chance to witness the sacred […]
This fall, Pacific Region Representative Alina Sanchez (Miwok – Wilton Rancheria) has been busy creating spaces where Native youth and community voices can thrive. From student government leadership to cultural representation and wellness advocacy, Alina continues to show how youth leaders can weave service, identity, and collaboration together to create lasting impact. On September 19, […]
As the fall season unfolded across Arizona, Amaya Escalante of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Western Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, reflected on a time filled with meaning, community, and culture. For the Pascua Yaqui people, this season marks the celebration of Federal Recognition, a cornerstone of identity and sovereignty — and […]
For Pacific Region Representative Alina Sanchez (Miwok – Wilton Rancheria), leadership this fall has meant stepping into diverse spaces—from the school campus to the baseball field—to uplift voices, build community, and represent her culture with pride. Whether interviewing new student leaders, advocating for social justice, or representing her tribe at a Native American Night, Alina […]
As summer drew to a close, Co-President of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Mazie Countryman (Northern Arapaho, Shoshone, Navajo), still found time to serve her community while preparing for the school year. In Fort Hall, Mazie and her youth council helped organize the parade for the 2025 Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival, a celebration that brought […]
In Billings, Montana, young leaders gathered for the Rocky Mountain Leaders Conference, a space dedicated to empowering Native youth across the state to step forward and claim their voices. Among them was Rhiannon Eaglespeaker (Blackfoot/Kiowa), the newly elected Rocky Mountain Regional Representative for the National UNITY Council. For Rhiannon, the event was not just about […]
The drumbeats of powwow songs, the heat of a sweat lodge, and the clash of a football game all wove together into one powerful month of growth for Weston (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara), the Great Plains Regional Representative for the National UNITY Council. His experiences show how cultural tradition, family, and community service shape Native youth […]
Calling All Oklahoma Natives! Join UNITY for this free Healing Circle training for Native youth and the adults who serve them. Sign up today to attend the one-day training on October 17-18, 2025, at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, OK. (659 First Americans Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73129) Registration is open to the first 50 Native youth & Advisors who […]
As the fall season began, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation came alive with gatherings that celebrated culture, community, and youth leadership. In the middle of it all was Southern Plains Executive Committee Member Victor Organista, whose presence could be felt at events ranging from food drives to kickball games, golf fundraisers, and even a national […]
This past week, UNITY Earth Ambassadors gathered in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, for a transformative experience that blended Traditional Ecological Knowledge with modern conservation science. Together, Native youth explored how Indigenous values and contemporary strategies can work hand-in-hand to guide the protection and restoration of our homelands. Opening Day – Platforms for Environmental Justice The gathering […]
