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2023 UNITY Awards

2023 Eddie Wadda Alumni of the Year Award

Deadline: May 31, 2023 at 5:00 pm (Phoenix-MST)

Application Link: https://forms.gle/4u7mv1cQmvCR7fGN8

Do you know a UNITY alum who should be recognized for their outstanding achievement and contributions to the Native American community? UNITY is accepting nominations for its prestigious Eddie Wadda Alumni of the Year award.

The purpose of the “Eddie Wadda Alumni of the Year Award” is to recognize outstanding achievement by an individual among UNITY alumni. An Alumni of UNITY is any individual who was actively a part of UNITY as a youth, advisor, trustee or staff, that is over the age of 24. UNITY values the dedication of these individuals who embody the spirit of UNITY by giving back to the Native American community. In appreciation, UNITY will honor one such Alumnus or alumna this year during the 2023 National UNITY Conference in Washington, DC.

Please note, only online submissions are accepted at this time. Letter of Recommendation must be uploaded here to this form, and not sent in separately. Only online materials submitted by this date will be reviewed and considered.

Questions? Please contact Greg Mendoza at G.mendoza@unityinc.org or 480-718-9793.


 

2023 UNITY J.R. Cook Advisor of the Year Award

Deadline: May 31, 2023 at 5:00 pm (Phoenix-MST)

Application Link: https://forms.gle/4pb4kF9rCraKCFof9

Effective and successful youth councils consistently have one key ingredient in common; an advisor who is involved, provides wise counsel and guidance, and is willing to work closely with youth council members as they make and carry out their decisions and related activities.

UNITY values the dedication of these many individuals who provide adult leadership and nurture and support the development of Native youth. In appreciation, UNITY will honor one such advisor this year during the 2023 National UNITY Conference GALA in Washington, DC.

Please note, only online submissions are accepted at this time. Before completing this form, a letter of support from a community member or leader is required.

Questions? Please contact Greg Mendoza, Youth Programs Director at G.mendoza@unityinc.org or 480-718-9793.

2023 UNITY Youth Council of the Year Award

Report Deadline: May 31, 2023 at 5:00 pm (Phoenix-MST)

Annual Membership Report Link: https://forms.gle/YrKoUtVDcaWYj9xT7

(Criteria for this award is based on the submission of UNITY Annual Membership Report and up-to-date Affiliation Fee)

The purpose of UNITY’s Youth Council of the Year (YCY) Leadership Award is to recognize affiliates of the UNITY Network, youth councils who are conducting activities in community service, cultural heritage, environment, and healthy lifestyles.

The annual award is based on the submission of the UNITY-affiliated youth council annual membership report and paid affiliation fee.

For example, UNITY Network affiliated youth councils have:

  • volunteered to help the elderly or handicapped
  • presented workshops on leadership, peer pressure and school participation
  • established a college scholarship
  • sponsored youth camps and conferences
  • started own business
  • sponsored food and clothing drives
  • conducted bone marrow tissue typing drive
  • sponsored health forums and health career day
  • raised money for an infant heart transplant
  • purchased Christmas toys for less fortunate children
  • sponsored trash clean up days
  • participated in beading and craft classes
  • sponsored alcohol and drug free dances or skate-a-thons
  • raised money for a recreation center
  • participated in a governor’s page program

This Award aims to:

  • Recognize the accomplishments of UNITY’s affiliated youth council, which are dedicated to serving their communities;
  • Encourage rising Native leaders to aspire to greater levels of achievement
  • Build a support network of ‘service to community’ minded leaders that will grow with each year and;
  • Further the UNITY mission of building a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement

Honorees will be recognized during the 2023 National UNITY Conference in Washington, DC.

The 2023 scholarships are made possible by the generous support of CEO Dave Beaver and Titan Facility Services, LLC:

Golda Cook Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2023
Description: One Male and One Female will receive $2,000.

In honor of the life of Golda Cook (1913 – 2005) and her ongoing support of the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY), especially in the organization’s early years, Golda’s friends, family, and UNITY trustees have made contributions to establishing the Golda Cook Memorial Fund.

J.R. Cook Scholarship

Deadline: May 31, 2023

Description: One Student will receive $2,000.

 

In honor of the life of UNITY’s founder J.R. Cook (1939- 2022) and his vision to empower Native youth to reach their full potential, his family and UNITY Alumni have established this scholarship award.

On April 16, 1976, under his leadership, United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. was born. In 1978 J.R. joined forces to kick off the first of many national conferences. J.R. felt so strongly about UNITY that he took no salary for seven years but worked in other part-time jobs to survive.

J.R. was a member of the St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Oklahoma, City. He enjoyed in sharing a good meal with family and friends, especially with his friends at the Bedlam BBQ in Oklahoma City. Supporting education in Oklahoma was always very important to J.R. and he continued to find ways to still be active even in failing health. J.R. is survived by his sister, JoAnn Carney who cared for him until his passing, his faithful dog, Jake who he so loved, and countless UNITY alumni who meant the world to him.

Criteria Information for the Three Awards: 

Criteria Information for the Three Awards: 

Applicants should meet the following requirements to be considered:​

  • show community involvement and financial need (Merit-based)
  • must be a member or descendant of a federally recognized or state-recognized tribe.​
  • must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited institution.
  • If awarded, must be in attendance at the National UNITY Conference for this year (Travel expenses incurred by the recipient WILL NOT be covered by UNITY); or provide a video message as an acceptance speech

Note: Scholarships will be graded based on the 5 interview questions in the application form. Take time to answer each question with a thoughtful and descriptive response. Respond to each question with at least four complete sentences.

 


CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO ALL THREE  SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS: https://forms.gle/w9KWs71bUDSfYuBq8