Phoenix, Arizona — January 19, 2026 During the UNITY Midyear Conference in Phoenix, the National UNITY Council (NUC) officially adopted a powerful resolution titled “Restoring Balance: Healing Trauma & Ending Violence in Native Communities.”Approved at the National UNITY Council Business Meeting with a quorum present, the resolution establishes a unified, youth-driven framework to address some […]
This autumn, Watson Whitford (Chippewa Cree/Navajo), Male Co-President of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, continued his journey of cultural connection and community building — traveling across borders, honoring sacred sites, and creating space for Indigenous students to gather and grow. His month reflected a balance of tradition, education, and leadership rooted deeply in service […]
Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), Northwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, dedicated her time and heart to empowering others through education, culture, and connection. From teaching local youth to celebrating intertribal gatherings, Tia’s month reflected her deep commitment to serving her people and strengthening the ties that unite Native […]
When culture, celebration, and youth leadership collide, you get a month like this. In October, Amaya Escalante of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe stepped into powerful spaces across Arizona—honoring tradition, uplifting Native youth, and strengthening community ties as a Western Region Executive Committee member of the National UNITY Council. October began with the 41st Annual Native […]
Even while facing personal health challenges, Jamie Crowe of the Pueblo of Tesuque chose to lean into leadership and purpose. October was a demanding month, but it became a powerful reminder that healing and service often walk hand in hand. As a Southwest Executive Committee Member of the National UNITY Council, Jamie traveled to Oklahoma […]
When the drums echoed across the Northern Cheyenne Reservation this fall, Rhiannon Eaglespeaker (Blackfoot and Kiowa), Rocky Mountain Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, was there not just to dance — but to teach, to give back, and to keep her culture alive through every step. Rhiannon balanced service and cultural preservation, […]
As fall settled over the Northwest, Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), Northwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, embraced a season of growth — literally and spiritually. Her autumn months were filled with community, culture, and sustainability as she joined gatherings, powwows, and workshops centered on strengthening Indigenous food sovereignty […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
