Ethan Hedgepeth: Uplifting Native Youth Through Wellness, Leadership, and Cultural Pride Ethan Hedgepeth, a proud Cherokee and Tuscarora leader from North Carolina, brings heart, determination, and cultural pride to his role as the 2025–2026 Southeast Area Representative for the National UNITY Council Executive Committee. Representing Native youth from twelve southeastern states, Ethan is dedicated to […]
Ethan Hedgepeth, 19 Tribe: Cherokee, Tuscarora Youth Council: NCNAYO Ethan Hedgepeth, a proud member of the Cherokee and Tuscarora Nations, is a dedicated student currently attending East Carolina University. He is pursuing a degree in exercise science with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. Passionate about helping others heal and thrive, Ethan’s career path […]
Ready to lead? The National UNITY Council (NUC) is accepting petitions for Area Representative and Co-President (Female and Male) positions on the Executive Committee. This is your opportunity to represent Native youth, uplift your region, and help shape the future of Indigenous leadership. Available Positions: Area Representatives from UNITY’s ten regions Co-Presidents (must be former […]
Jada Allen of the Lumbee Tribe Named 2025-26 UNITY Earth Ambassador UNITY is honored to announce Jada Allen, a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, as one of its newly awarded 2025 Earth Ambassadors. Representing the Southeast Region, Jada is a senior at Duke University whose life’s work is deeply grounded in protecting […]
The 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference provided powerful platforms for Native youth to explore their deep connection to the Earth and the responsibility they hold as caretakers of sacred lands. The environmental workshops centered Indigenous knowledge, spiritual values, and collective activism as tools to protect the future of tribal communities. These sessions uplifted youth voices as […]
Are you a Native youth artist with a passion for design? Here’s your chance to showcase your creativity! UNITY is inviting Native youth ages 14 to 24 to submit their original artwork for the 2025 National UNITY Conference Logo Contest. The winning design will be used on promotional materials for this summer’s National UNITY Conference […]
The National UNITY Council Executive Committee (NUC EC) is thrilled to announce our spring regional meetups, designed to unite youth councils and Native youth from across the country. These virtual gatherings welcome UNITY-affiliated youth councils and their supporters to reconnect, collaborate on shared goals, and develop impactful project plans. Our regional meetups are a great […]
During the 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference, the National UNITY Council (NUC) Executive Committee (EC) was a team of mentors behind an unforgettable gathering of Native youth leaders. With unwavering dedication, they cultivated an environment where young people could learn, heal, and grow as community leaders. From facilitating healing circles to creating spaces for cultural exchange […]
Excitement was building as the Midyear conference drew near. In Downtown Phoenix, Arizona more than 600 Native youth would gather for a weekend of storytelling, cultural sharing and creativity. In UNITY fashion there were many pre-conference activities planned for those that arrived early, including the Healing Circle. There were more than 60 youth that participated […]
At the 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference during the bi-annual Business Meeting, Native youth leaders from across the country came together to pass a powerful resolution as the National UNITY Council—Resolution 02-02-25-2: “Inspiring HOPE (Heart-to-Heart Conversations, Open-Minded Dialogue, Promoting Resources, Encouragement).” This initiative is a national call to action for the 300+ Native youth councils affiliated […]
