25 Under 25 Leadership Award

25 Under 25 National Youth Leaders Celebrated

United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) is proud to announce the latest cohort of the 25 Under 25 National Native Youth Leaders, a prestigious recognition program celebrating the achievements of young Native American and Alaskan Native leaders. Launched in 2014, this biennial initiative honors 25 outstanding youths under the age of 25 who exemplify UNITY’s core values and strive for holistic well-being in their lives.

Supported by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Illuminative, this program provides Native youth with the opportunity to travel to the National Recognition Awards ceremony and engage in essential leadership training during their term.

At the National UNITY Conference held in Portland, Oregon on June 29, 2024, the following individuals were celebrated as the 2024 Class of 25 Under 25 National Native Youth Leaders:

Alyssa Mosley, 23, Nanticoke Lenni Lenape of New Jersey
Anagali Duncan, 21, Cherokee of Oklahoma
Carmella Bear, 17, Penobscot of Maine
Dasia Peters, 22, Mashpee Wampanoag of Massachusetts
Derek Capitan, 24, Laguna Pueblo/Navajo of New Mexico
Evelyn Enos, 19, Akimel O’odham/Tohono O’odham of Arizona
Elise Lamas, 19, Tohono O’odham of Arizona
Faith Iukes, 14, Tulalip of Washington
Gabriel Jurado, 19, Siletz of Oregon
Gabriella Nakai, 17, Choctaw/Navajo of Arizona
Georgia Harjo, 17, Muscogee (Creek) of Oklahoma
Ian Teller, 23, Navajo of Arizona
Jenna Makes Good, 22, Dakota Sioux of Kansas
Jori Cowley, 23, Cherokee/Delaware of Oklahoma
Kiara Tanta-Quidgeon, 23, Mohegan of Connecticut
Laney Marie Lupe, 23, White Mountain Apache of Arizona
Mariah Hernandez-Fitch, 23, Houma of Louisiana
Natallie Battiest, 21, Choctaw of California
Nizhoni Deschene, 16, Navajo of Maryland
Precious Vicente, 24, Akimel O’odham/Hopi of Arizona
Racquel Jean Oliver-Britton, 22, Yuki of California
Samantha Eddy, 22, Navajo of Arizona
Sophia Turning Robe, 21, Spokane/Siksika of Washington
Steve Harvey, 22, San Carlos Apache of Arizona
Talon Watchman, 17, Navajo of Arizona

Each recipient received a unique handmade beaded medallion and will experience specialized training provided by UNITY over an eight-month period to further their personal and leadership growth. This year’s honorees were celebrated at the National UNITY Conference, where their outstanding contributions and dedication to their communities were recognized.

The UNITY 25 Under 25 is a national youth leadership recognition program. The awards program is designed to celebrate the achievements of Native American and Alaskan Native youth ages 14 to 24 who embody UNITY’s core mission and exude living a balanced life developing their spiritual, mental, physical, and social well-being.

This program is brought to you in part by the generous support of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Through their ongoing partnership, Native youth can travel to the National Recognition Awards ceremony and attend vital leadership training during the Native youths’ term.

2024 UNITY 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leadership Awards Program

The 2022 class of 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders are:

Ajah-Rain Yellowhair, 17, Navajo, NM
Alexis Large-Cooley, 17, Confederated Tribes of Siletz, OR
Ally Gee, 22, Navajo, CO
Bella Nayquonabe, 17, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, MN
Candice Joe, 19, Navajo, AZ
Charles Mason, 18, Mvskoke (Creek) Nation, OK
Chelbie Turtle, 21, Cherokee Nation, OK
Elijah Cota, 20, Pascua Yaqui, AZ
Elizabeth Bryant, 20, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, OR
Jasmine Lamas. 18, Gila River Indian Community, AZ
Jonathan Arakawa, 22, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, WA
Jovi J. Williams, 17, White Mountain Apache Tribe, AZ
Kanyen Mousseaux Begay, 17, Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, SD
Karri Montero, 21, Ketchikan Indian Community, AK
Kiera Toya, 21, Pueblo of Jemez, NM
Lourdes Pereira, 21, Hia-Ced O’odham/Tohono O’odham, AZ
Maci Schott, 22, Ponca Tribe, NE
Morgan Messimore, 18, Delaware Tribe of Indians, OK
Nathan Solorio, 15, Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation, PA
Lilly Painter, 20, Winnebago/Kiowa Tribe, OK
Leticia Cervantes, 20, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, OK
Samuel Lopez, 19, Tohono O’odham Nation, AZ
Samuel Uuyavuk Schimmel, 22, Kenaitze Indian Tribe /Native Village of Gambell, AK
Shanell Lavallie, 23, Aanih and Nakoda, MT
Truman Pipestem, 20, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, OK

Honorees are recognized during the UNITY National Conference, each receiving a hand-made beaded “25 Under 25” medallion. In addition to being recognized, each awardee will receive special training by UNITY over one year designed to build on their achievements. The class is recognized as UNITY ambassadors, and it serves as a stellar example of Native youth leadership in Indian Country today.

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