When Liliana Mars (Narragansett, Navajo) steps into the circle, she is doing far more than moving to the beat of the drum—she is carrying generations of resilience and responsibility as both a cultural leader and the Northeast Regional Representative and Secretary of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee (NUCEC). This past August, her calendar was […]
The sweetness of fresh berries and the wisdom of elders shaped a month of growth for Earth Ambassador Marla Mesarina of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. August became a season of firsts—her first time berry picking, her first teaching video, and her first regional gathering as part of the Earth […]
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, […]
Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi took part in a panel titled What is Food? at the Arizona Good Food Forum. Alongside intergenerational Indigenous leaders—including her grandfather, Robert Valencia—she discussed food as relationship, memory, and a vision for future generations. Sharing the stage with her grandfather was especially meaningful, planting seeds of inspiration for her ongoing commitment […]
After ten weeks of dedicated work, Pascua Yaqui Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi concluded her internship with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals this August. Partnering with the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians and the University of California Cooperative Extension, she contributed to a climate change and natural resources needs assessment. Her final presentation to the […]
Early August found Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi at the UC Berkeley Indigenous Mini-Camp, where she joined peers and Mountain Maidu knowledge keepers to learn about Indigenous stewardship, LAND BACK, and TEK. The camp offered both lessons and community, reminding her of the strength of shared space and stories. She also attended Native American Heritage Night […]
When UNITY summer intern Roshaun Norcross (Navajo) joined acclaimed Phoenix artist Antoinette Cauley and the Phoenix Mercury for a month-long mural mentorship, she stepped into more than an art project—it became a transformative journey rooted in cultural expression, professional growth, and community connection. “This month-long program helped me be an even bigger part of the […]
For Jamie Crowe (Pueblo of Tesuque), Southwest Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, July was a month of growth, purpose, and commitment to the environment. The month began in San Diego, California, at the National UNITY Conference, where over 3,000 Native youth gathered to learn, share, and lead. Jamie returned home with a […]
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 […]
At the 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference, Native youth explored wellness through a cultural lens—connecting physical, mental, and spiritual health with identity and community. UNITY’s goal to build a stronger sense of belonging among Native youth was fully realized in workshops that empowered them to embrace traditional teachings while gaining modern tools for healing and resilience. […]
