The scent of smoke hung heavy in Minnesota this August, a reminder of how climate change impacts every corner of our lives—even in the cornfields, where young leaders bent to pull weeds. For Shinnecock and Onondaga Earth Ambassador Néepa Hyde, the month was her busiest yet, filled with hands-on lessons in food sovereignty, cultural teachings, […]
Native youth from across the Midwest gathered with UNITY Earth Ambassadors for an intensive training on environmental leadership. Hosted by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the program blended traditional knowledge, scientific approaches, and youth-driven advocacy to prepare participants as leaders for climate action. Some youth drove over 11 hours to attend […]
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 […]
Featuring Earth Ambassador: Marla Mesarina (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe / Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Community Connection Through Food and Farming This month, Midwest Earth Ambassador Marla Mesarina traveled to Hilo, Hawai‘i, as a proud member of the Next Generation Language Leaders Cohort, part of the National Native American Language Resource Center (N-NARLC). During her time […]
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 […]
During the 2025 National UNITY Conference, the organization Running Strong for American Indian Youth took center stage to share the lasting impact of Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota) and the opportunities available through the Dreamstarter® Program—a leadership initiative that has helped Native youth across the country turn their dreams into community solutions. Though […]
Before the official kickoff of the 2025 National UNITY Conference, a group of Native youth leaders arrived early in San Diego to participate in UNITY’s Earth Ambassadors Pre-Conference Training—a powerful experience blending cultural connection, environmental education, and action planning for climate justice. These youth make up the newly selected 2025–2026 Circle of UNITY Earth Ambassadors, […]
On Friday, June 27, over 3,000 Native youth, advisors, and community leaders gathered in San Diego with culture sharing at the National UNITY Conference: the Lighting of the UNITY Fire. This spiritual gathering marked the official start of the conference’s main sessions and reminded everyone present that this event is more than a gathering—it is […]
Every year, the National UNITY Conference elevates the importance of higher education by creating spaces for Native youth to explore college and career pathways in culturally relevant ways. This year, the partnership between UNITY and San Diego State University (SDSU) brought college tours and on-campus involvement to new heights, showcasing what’s possible when Native students, […]
UNITY is searching for four Native youth to serve as News Anchors for UNITY News segments that will be shown during the National UNITY Conference. Two main anchors, a weather anchor and a sports anchor will be chosen. Each contestant is required to complete a brief audition video within a 60 second time limit. A […]
