Leadership is about creating spaces where Native youth know they belong. This October, Ethan Hedgepeth, of Cherokee and Tuscarora heritage, strengthened connections both regionally and on campus—reminding Native students that they are never alone. As a Southeast Executive Committee Member of the National UNITY Council, Ethan co-hosted a Southeast and Southern Plains Regional Meetup over […]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]UNITY Earth Ambassador Jada Allen had an incredible time at the 2025 AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota! Attending as part of the AISES Firewall Cybersecurity Cohort, she finally got to meet her cohort members, mentors and mentees alike, from all across the country in person. Together, they shared […]
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 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 […]
The start of a new school year can be intimidating, but for Ethan Hedgepeth (Cherokee & Tuscarora), it came with an important realization—he’s not alone. As a Southeast Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Ethan carries the responsibility of serving Native youth in his region while also navigating college life at East Carolina […]
Jada Allen (Lumbee Tribe) is tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing Native communities—climate-driven natural disasters. Through her Earth Ambassador platform, she is creating workshops for Lumbee and other Native youth in North Carolina that focus on disaster preparedness and resilience. “Participants would learn how to create emergency plans, assemble disaster kits, and develop […]
At the National UNITY Council (NUC) Business Meeting on June 30, 2025, during the National UNITY Conference in San Diego, California, more than 130 Native youth leaders representing over 60 affiliated youth councils across 23 states gathered to identify the most urgent challenges facing their peers and communities. Guided by both regional discussions and survey […]
This summer, Ethan Hedgepeth (Cherokee & Tuscarora) brought his voice, his presence, and his energy to both cultural and creative spaces. At the National UNITY Conference in June, he joined other Native youth at the UNITY Drum, lending his voice to songs that carried through the gathering. He also stepped into a new role — […]
This summer, Earth Ambassador Jada Allen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina demonstrated what it means to blend cultural pride, civic engagement, and environmental advocacy into a season of meaningful action. On June 20th, she presented two workshops at the North Carolina Native Youth Organization’s annual conference, reaching around 70 Native youth with her […]
This fall, Native youth from across the country will unite for two powerful regional events designed to blend traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation science: the UNITY Earth Ambassadors (Midwest) Gathering in Michigan and the UNITY Earth Ambassadors (Southeast) Gathering in Florida. These gatherings are part of the UNITY Earth Ambassadors Stewardship Program, a 10-month […]
