Community projects range from “the return of planting foods using native seed banks and traditional seeds as an exercise of Native sovereignty, and by growing it exercises an act of environmental sovereignty” says Earth Ambassador Gabriella Nakai (Choctaw/Navajo) from Phoenix to creating “business sustainability within her tribal community through the promotion of greener businesses, less waste, recyclable products, recycling, and making the San Carlos Apache Tribe a greener mindset” explains Earth Ambassador Lauren Pino (San Carlos Apache), a recent graduate of Penn State University.
The Earth Ambassador Legacy: Years of Earth Advocates
2025-26 Class of Earth Ambassadors
The 2025-2026 Earth Ambassadors are:
- Codie Horse-Topetchy – 22, Kiowa, Comanche & Otoe-Missouria Tribes, OK
- Jada Allen – 21, Lumbee Tribe, NC
- Jizelle Juan – 18, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, AZ
- Laylalanai Gocobachi – 19, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, AZ
- Mahiya Ramirez – 22, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, OK
- Marla Mesarina – 19, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe & Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, MN
- McKaylin Peters – 23, Menominee Indian Tribe, WI
- Neepa Hyde – 14, Shinnecock Nation, MN
- Nizhoni Deschene – 17, Navajo Nation & Turtle Mountain Chippewa, MD
- Vydell Willie – 18, Navajo Nation, AZ
2023-24 Class of Earth Ambassadors
The 2023-2024 Earth Ambassadors are:
- Bronson Kainoa Azama, 22, Kānaka Maoli, Hawaii
- Derek Capitan, 24, Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico
- Spencer Walton, 20, Confederated Tribes Of Siletz Indians, Oregon
- Jovi Williams, 18, White Mountain Apache, Arizona
- Evelyn Enos, 18, Akimel O’odham, Gila River Indian Community, Arizona
- Tia Butler, 19, Confederated Tribes Of Siletz Indians, Oregon
- Anagali (Shace) Duncan, 20, Cherokee, Rhode Island
- Sumaya Quitugua, 18, Acoma Pueblo, Chamorro, Arizona
- Liliana Mars, 17, Narragansett Indian Tribe, Rhode Island
- Sareya Taylor, 21, White Mountain Apache, New Mexico
2021-22 Class of Earth Ambassadors
The 2021-2022 class of UNITY Earth Ambassadors are:
- LeAndria Gene, 17, Navajo
- Steve Harvey, 19, San Carlos Apache
- Binaahozhoonii Daisey Howard, 15, Navajo (Dine) / Zuni
- Tobi Candice Joe, 18, Navajo
- Maiya Martinez, 20, Spokane Tribe
- Gabriella Nakai, 15, Navajo / Choctaw
- Lauren Shelly Pina, 20, San Carlos Apache
- Tylee Tom, 20, Navajo
- Karlin Tsotigh, 16, Kiowa
- Watson Whitford, 15, Chippewa Cree
2019-20 Class of Earth Ambassadors
The 2019 Class of UNITY Earth Ambassadors are:
- Alec Lee (Navajo), 19, New Mexico
- Angela Noah (White Mountain Apache Tribe), 19, Oregon
- Hope Long (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), 16, North Carolina
- Jeidah DeZurney (Confederated Tribes of Siletz), 20, Oregon
- Kaylene Nevaquaya (Comanche Nation), 18, Oklahoma
- Marco Ovando (Shoshone-Paiute Tribe), 19, Nevada
- Sage Lacapa (White Mountain Apache Tribe), 15, Arizona
- Samuel Lopez (Tohono O’odham Nation), 16, Arizona
- Sky Wildcat (Cherokee Nation), 23, Oklahoma
- Zunneh-Bah Martin (Diné), 22, New Mexico
2017-18 Class of Earth Ambassadors
The 2017 class of the UNITY Earth Ambassadors Leadership Program includes:
- Damien Carlos, 18, Tohono O’odham Nation – Sells, AZ
- Nicholas Call, 15, Yamasee – Orange Springs, FL
- Tristan Joe, 17, Navajo Nation – Kirtland, NM
- Raeanna Johnson, 15, Navajo Nation – Hardrock, AZ
- Tatiana Ticknor, 18, Dena’ina/Tlingit – Anchorage, AK
- Sonwai Wakayuta, 16, Hualapai – Kingman, AZ
- Attaquin Weeden, 20, Mashpee Wampanoag, Mashpee, MA
- Jazmine Wildcat, 14, Northern Arapaho, Riverton, WY
- Journey Zephier, 17, Yankton Sioux, Kapaa, HI
- Rainbow Star Zephier, 15, Yankton Sioux, Kapaa, HI
2015-16 Class of Earth Ambassadors
The 2015 class of the UNITY Earth Ambassadors Leadership Program includes:
- Henry Birk Albert, 16, Koyukon Athabaskan – Lake Placid, NY
- Kristine Baker, 16, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians – Belcourt, ND
- SuSun Fisher, 16, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians – Grand Ronde, OR
- Mariah Gladstone, 21, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Blackfeet – Helena, MT
- Wyatte Goggles, 20, Eastern Shoshone – Fort Washakie, WY
- Tequorra Green, 22, Lumbee – Baskerville, VA
- Kenaba Hatathlie, 18, Navajo – Kirtland, NM
- Jessica McCool, 17, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians – Solvang, CA
- Xavier Medina, 16, Pascua Yaqui – Tucson, AZ
- Nadira Mitchell, 14, Navajo – Tucson, AZ
- Ryan Stiffarm, 15, San Carlos Apache / Acoma / Gros Ventre – Chandler, AZ
- Rory Wheeler, 17, Seneca Nation of Indians – Irving, NY
- Tomas WhiteAntelope, 24, Northern Arapaho / Lummi – Richmond, CA
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