Some birthdays are about cake. Others are about calling. For Amaya of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, November wasn’t just another trip around the sun—it was a month rooted in growth, gratitude, and stepping boldly into leadership spaces that uplift Native youth across Indian Country. As a Western Region Executive Committee member of the National UNITY […]
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 […]
As the fall season unfolded across Arizona, Amaya Escalante of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Western Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, reflected on a time filled with meaning, community, and culture. For the Pascua Yaqui people, this season marks the celebration of Federal Recognition, a cornerstone of identity and sovereignty — and […]
Calling All Oklahoma Natives! Join UNITY for this free Healing Circle training for Native youth and the adults who serve them. Sign up today to attend the one-day training on October 17-18, 2025, at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, OK. (659 First Americans Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73129) Registration is open to the first 50 Native youth & Advisors who […]
Colorful floats, traditional songs, and community pride filled the streets of the White Mountain Apache Reservation as the annual Tribal Parade began. For Amaya Escalante (Pascua Yaqui Tribe), it was more than just a celebration—it was her first event serving as the Western Region Area Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee. Invited by […]
This month, Jizelle Juan (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community) demonstrated how culture, service, and community wellness are deeply intertwined in her leadership journey as an Earth Ambassador. From cultural practices to civic engagement, she continues to embody stewardship of both the land and her people. “Every Saturday throughout the month, I continued to gather willow […]
The month of August brought both transition and triumph for Navajo Earth Ambassador Vydell Willie. Between packing for his first semester of college and presenting at local chapter meetings, Vydell discovered that true leadership often means learning to balance growth in both personal and community life. Early in the month, he introduced himself as a […]
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 […]
