The drumbeats of powwow songs, the heat of a sweat lodge, and the clash of a football game all wove together into one powerful month of growth for Weston (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara), the Great Plains Regional Representative for the National UNITY Council. His experiences show how cultural tradition, family, and community service shape Native youth leadership. “My favorite thing about going to powwows is being able to watch other people and learn new moves while also incorporating your own style,” Weston shared. “One learning experience I had during these trips was that no matter how old somebody is, you can learn from them.”
Traveling with family, Weston attended powwows with the Stockbridge-Munsee, Ho-Chunk Nation, and Menominee Nation. Each celebration deepened his understanding of cultural exchange and reinforced his belief in the power of learning from others. Yet it was his first sweat ceremony that left the strongest impression. “It was pitch dark and extremely hot but the powerful drum and voices would keep me in there,” Weston recalled. “The sweat ceremony made me realize that I always have a place in this world and I don’t have to be ashamed to be myself.” Experiences like this are more than personal—they tie directly to UNITY’s Top Ten Issues Facing Native Youth, especially cultural preservation, mental health, and spiritual wellness.
Outside of cultural practices, Weston also made time for athletics and community events. He played his first football game of the season against his former school, the Parshall Braves, in what he described as a meaningful moment of connection and competition with longtime teammates and friends. Beyond the football field, Weston is helping organize Mother Corn Day, a community event that will include prayer, roasting corn, and games to honor the teachings and traditions surrounding Mother Corn.
This balance of cultural grounding, athletics, and community planning highlights UNITY’s vision of holistic leadership. Through sports, Weston demonstrates healthy living and teamwork; through powwows and ceremony, he strengthens cultural knowledge and identity; and through planning Mother Corn Day, he builds civic engagement and cultural pride. Each element addresses the Top Ten Issues in tangible ways—connecting culture to wellness, service, and youth empowerment.
The National UNITY Council, made up of representatives from over 300 youth councils nationwide, thrives because of youth leaders like Weston who weave cultural teachings into their everyday lives. By attending ceremonies, engaging in community service, and representing the voices of the Great Plains, Weston contributes to UNITY’s broader mission of inspiring hope and ensuring Native youth voices are heard.
Weston’s journey is a reminder that leadership doesn’t come from one place—it can be found in the circle of a powwow, in the intensity of a sweat, or on the playing field. “The sweat ceremony made me realize that I always have a place in this world and I don’t have to be ashamed to be myself,” he said, a lesson that resonates with Native youth everywhere. His story is an invitation for others in the Great Plains to take pride in their identity, step forward as leaders, and reach out to collaborate with their UNITY Regional Representative to strengthen community traditions and youth voices.