Come see UNITY at the Indian Gaming Association at booth # 950 in Oklahoma City, OK! We even have Emcee One present with us too in his home town 🤩 Booths are open from 12-5pm
Come see UNITY at the Indian Gaming Association at booth # 950 in Oklahoma City, OK! We even have Emcee One present with us too in his home town 🤩 Booths are open from 12-5pm
This year the National UNITY Conference theme was "The voice of Hope!" It was a very exceptional and appropriate theme as over 3,000 Native Youth travelled across the nation to San Diego, California. UNITY and the Stevens-DesRosiers family honored the late Norman H. DesRosiers, former National Indian Gaming commission Vice President and former Gaming commissioner and Director to many tribes within the gaming industry. Norman was a pillar of Hope for the Tribal people and Tribal Leaders when it came to protecting tribal assets, ensuring tribes had a seat at the table when it came to Tribal regulations and legislation pertaining to Gaming. He worked for Tribe since the early 1990s where he started at Fort McDowell, then continued into his career with the San Carlos Apache Tribe helping them to open the Apache Gold Casino, where his wife and family are from. Norman was very instrumental in helping tribes and had a legacy of becoming self sufficient and successful in their gaming industry.
In 2020, sadly, Mr. DesRosiers lost his fight to cancer, and ensured his family would continue their support to the UNITY organization because he was a firm believer in education and that we needed to empower our Tribal Youth and young leaders because they are our future but most of all our Hope!
His wife, Janice Stevens DesRosiers and children Erik DesRosiers, Chrissa Stevens- DesRosiers, and Carl Stevens and their children were in attendance at the 2025 National UNITY Conference to award two first ever scholarship awards of $4,000 for 2-years to very talent and exceptional students. The family awarded Evelyn Enos and Joshua Shumak with the scholarships to continue their family`s legacy.
Evelyn was in attendance and cheered on by the DesRosiers family and the all her peers. It was a great way to honor and celebrate the life of Norman H. DesRosiers. The DesRosiers family wishes both the awardees with success. They know that both of these individuals will serve the Indian Community well and in their father`s name. ❤️💙#UNITYSD2025
This year the National UNITY Conference theme was "The voice of Hope!" It was a very exceptional and appropriate theme as over 3,000 Native Youth travelled across the nation to San Diego, California. UNITY and the Stevens-DesRosiers family honored the late Norman H. DesRosiers, former National Indian Gaming commission Vice President and former Gaming commissioner and Director to many tribes within the gaming industry. Norman was a pillar of Hope for the Tribal people and Tribal Leaders when it came to protecting tribal assets, ensuring tribes had a seat at the table when it came to Tribal regulations and legislation pertaining to Gaming. He worked for Tribe since the early 1990s where he started at Fort McDowell, then continued into his career with the San Carlos Apache Tribe helping them to open the Apache Gold Casino, where his wife and family are from. Norman was very instrumental in helping tribes and had a legacy of becoming self sufficient and successful in their gaming industry.
In 2020, sadly, Mr. DesRosiers lost his fight to cancer, and ensured his family would continue their support to the UNITY organization because he was a firm believer in education and that we needed to empower our Tribal Youth and young leaders because they are our future but most of all our Hope!
His wife, Janice Stevens DesRosiers and children Erik DesRosiers, Chrissa Stevens- DesRosiers, and Carl Stevens and their children were in attendance at the 2025 National UNITY Conference to award two first ever scholarship awards of $4,000 for 2-years to very talent and exceptional students. The family awarded Evelyn Enos and Joshua Shumak with the scholarships to continue their family`s legacy.
Evelyn was in attendance and cheered on by the DesRosiers family and the all her peers. It was a great way to honor and celebrate the life of Norman H. DesRosiers. The DesRosiers family wishes both the awardees with success. They know that both of these individuals will serve the Indian Community well and in their father`s name. ❤️💙#UNITYSD2025
Hey UNITY fam!
Did you go to the 2025 National UNITY Conference in San Diego, CA? We’d love to hear what you thought! Fill out our quick survey by Monday, July 14th and you could win a FREE registration to next year’s National UNITY Conference in Oklahoma City, OK!
Your voice matters—help us make our 50th anniversary even better!
Use the QR code or link in bio.
Hey UNITY fam!
Did you go to the 2025 National UNITY Conference in San Diego, CA? We’d love to hear what you thought! Fill out our quick survey by Monday, July 14th and you could win a FREE registration to next year’s National UNITY Conference in Oklahoma City, OK!
Your voice matters—help us make our 50th anniversary even better!
Use the QR code or link in bio.
Join us in welcoming UNITY`s newest cohort of changemakers -- the 2025-26 Earth Ambassadors. This group of Native youth leaders will serve as environmental stewards, uplifting Indigenous knowledge, advocating for climate justice, and inspiring their communities through action and cultural pride.
(From left to right: Jizelle Juan, Codie Horse-Topetchy, Néepa Hyde, Jada Allen, Marla Mesarina, McKaylin Peters, Mahiya Ramirez, Nizhoni Deschene, Vydell Willie, Laylalanai Gocobachi)
#ProtectMotherEarth #IndigenousLeadership
Join us in welcoming UNITY`s newest cohort of changemakers -- the 2025-26 Earth Ambassadors. This group of Native youth leaders will serve as environmental stewards, uplifting Indigenous knowledge, advocating for climate justice, and inspiring their communities through action and cultural pride.
(From left to right: Jizelle Juan, Codie Horse-Topetchy, Néepa Hyde, Jada Allen, Marla Mesarina, McKaylin Peters, Mahiya Ramirez, Nizhoni Deschene, Vydell Willie, Laylalanai Gocobachi)
#ProtectMotherEarth #IndigenousLeadership
Join UNITY for a dynamic 2.5-day in-person training designed for Native youth ages 14–24! This gathering will bring together young leaders from across the Midwest to explore community-driven solutions to environmental issues—grounded in culture, leadership, and collaboration.
Limited Space – Register Today!
This event is free of charge, and registration is open to the first 50 Native youth who sign up.
Please note: Meals will not be provided and are the responsibility of each participant.
Register now using the link in bio.
Join UNITY for a dynamic 2.5-day in-person training designed for Native youth ages 14–24! This gathering will bring together young leaders from across the Midwest to explore community-driven solutions to environmental issues—grounded in culture, leadership, and collaboration.
Limited Space – Register Today!
This event is free of charge, and registration is open to the first 50 Native youth who sign up.
Please note: Meals will not be provided and are the responsibility of each participant.
Register now using the link in bio.
The wait is over and your photos with Quannah are now available to view! 🤩#UNITYSD2025
View the photos by going to the link in our bio.
The wait is over and your photos with Quannah are now available to view! 🤩#UNITYSD2025
View the photos by going to the link in our bio.
We’re proud to present this year’s elected youth leaders who will represent Native youth from across the country, uplift community voices, and carry forward UNITY’s mission of empowering the next generation. These outstanding individuals bring passion, cultural pride, and a strong commitment to leadership and service.
Co-Presidents
Male Co-President: Watson Whitford, 19
Tribes: Chippewa Cree/Navajo – Montana
Female Co-President: Mazie Countryman, 20
Tribes: Northern Arapaho, Eastern Shoshone, Shoshone Bannock, Navajo – Idaho
Area Representatives
Great Plains: Weston Bird, 16
Tribes: Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara – North Dakota
Midwest: Gabriel Loonsfoot, 17
Tribe: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians – Michigan
Northeast (Secretary): Liliana Mars, 18
Tribes: Narragansett/Navajo – Rhode Island
Northwest: Tia Butler, 21
Tribe: Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians – Oregon
Pacific: Alina Sanchez, 16
Tribe: Wilton Miwok – California
Rocky Mountain: Rhiannon Eaglespeaker, 18
Tribes: Blackfoot/Kiowa – Montana
Southeast: Ethan Hedgepeth, 19
Tribes: Cherokee/Tuscarora – North Carolina
Southern Plains: Victor Organista, 19
Tribe: Prairie Band of Potawatomi – Kansas
Southwest: Jamie Crowe, 22
Tribe: Tesuque Pueblo – New Mexico
Western: Amaya Escalante, 19
Tribe: Pascua Yaqui Tribe – Arizona
#UNITYSD2025
We’re proud to present this year’s elected youth leaders who will represent Native youth from across the country, uplift community voices, and carry forward UNITY’s mission of empowering the next generation. These outstanding individuals bring passion, cultural pride, and a strong commitment to leadership and service.
Co-Presidents
Male Co-President: Watson Whitford, 19
Tribes: Chippewa Cree/Navajo – Montana
Female Co-President: Mazie Countryman, 20
Tribes: Northern Arapaho, Eastern Shoshone, Shoshone Bannock, Navajo – Idaho
Area Representatives
Great Plains: Weston Bird, 16
Tribes: Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara – North Dakota
Midwest: Gabriel Loonsfoot, 17
Tribe: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians – Michigan
Northeast (Secretary): Liliana Mars, 18
Tribes: Narragansett/Navajo – Rhode Island
Northwest: Tia Butler, 21
Tribe: Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians – Oregon
Pacific: Alina Sanchez, 16
Tribe: Wilton Miwok – California
Rocky Mountain: Rhiannon Eaglespeaker, 18
Tribes: Blackfoot/Kiowa – Montana
Southeast: Ethan Hedgepeth, 19
Tribes: Cherokee/Tuscarora – North Carolina
Southern Plains: Victor Organista, 19
Tribe: Prairie Band of Potawatomi – Kansas
Southwest: Jamie Crowe, 22
Tribe: Tesuque Pueblo – New Mexico
Western: Amaya Escalante, 19
Tribe: Pascua Yaqui Tribe – Arizona
#UNITYSD2025
The 2025 UNITY fashion show was one to remember! The models were absolutely stunning and of course the outfits were as well 🔥
Designer: @red_berry_woman
Make up artist: @estrada_t57
Thank you, Norma! It was a successful 6th year doing this fashion show with the UNITY youth. We appreciate your dedication to inspire them. You are an inspiration 💙 #UNITYSD2025
The 2025 UNITY fashion show was one to remember! The models were absolutely stunning and of course the outfits were as well 🔥
Designer: @red_berry_woman
Make up artist: @estrada_t57
Thank you, Norma! It was a successful 6th year doing this fashion show with the UNITY youth. We appreciate your dedication to inspire them. You are an inspiration 💙 #UNITYSD2025
TESTIMONIALS
UNITY's Mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth and to help build a strong, unified, and self- reliant Native America through greater youth involvement.
“Being here with UNITY is such a great experience. You get to meet so many new people and learn more about different tribes and their cultures.””
“The gathering, the sharing of cultures, the UNITY of our people!”
“Our YOUTH is the future!”
“It’s the best place to be open about what you think and what you want to do for your school or community. They make you feel like family and welcome you openly.”
“Great organization that allows empowerment for the Native youth to excel in leadership skills, networking opportunity, and early professional growth.”
“Awesome for youth group & leadership.”
UNITY Supporters, Partners and Sponsors
