Behind every powerful youth gathering is a team of leaders working tirelessly to make it happen. This January, Liliana Mars of the Narragansett and Navajo Nations dedicated much of her time to preparing for one of UNITY’s most impactful events of the year—the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference. As a Northeast Executive Committee Member of the […]
Leadership takes many forms—planning for the future, uplifting culture, and creating spaces where Native youth can connect and grow. This January, Gabriel Loonsfoot of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi continued to embody that spirit of servant leadership as a Midwest Executive Committee Member of the National UNITY Council. The month began on January 4 with […]
For Jamie Crowe of the Pueblo of Tesuque, January was filled with moments of pride, inspiration, and renewed commitment to Native youth leadership. As a Southwest Executive Committee Member of the National UNITY Council, Jamie began the year by reconnecting with fellow youth leaders and celebrating an important milestone within their family. From January 16–19, […]
For Amaya Escalante of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the UNITY Midyear Conference was more than a leadership gathering—it was a space to reconnect with culture, build relationships, and strengthen the collective voice of Native youth. As a Western Region Executive Committee Member of the National UNITY Council, Amaya attended the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference held […]
For Tia Butler of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, January was a month rooted in cultural education, community outreach, and preparing for the UNITY Midyear Conference. Throughout the month, Tia continued working with students and community members to share teachings about traditional plant medicines and Indigenous ecological knowledge. These educational efforts help pass down […]
From the moment youth leaders arrive, the energy of the UNITY Midyear Conference is something you can feel in the room. For Alina Sanchez of the Miwok Wilton Rancheria, the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference in Phoenix, Arizona was a powerful reminder of why Native youth leadership matters. Held from January 16–19, the gathering brought together […]
Hope for the future of Indian Country was on full display this January as hundreds of Native youth gathered in Phoenix, Arizona for the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference. Among the leaders helping guide that momentum was Watson Whitford, Chippewa Cree and Navajo leader and Co-President of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee. The Midyear Conference […]
The conference was held January 17-19 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel Phoenix, Ariz. – More than 600 Native youth from tribal communities throughout the United States gathered for the UNITY Midyear Conference over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Addressing the most important issues they face today, attendees celebrated Dr. King’s legacy by building real-world […]
January marked an important time of transition and growth for Vydell Willie of the Navajo Nation, a UNITY Earth Ambassador in the Western Region. As the new year began, Vydell stepped into a new academic semester at Northern Arizona University while continuing to stay active in leadership and personal development. At the beginning of the […]
The conference unites Native youth who are ready to build a movement of collective impact across Native Country Mesa, Arizona – United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) will host an exclusive screening of the documentary Remaining Native at the Arizona Science Center on Friday, January 16, 6-9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Attendance […]
