Youth Councils in Action
Mazie Countryman’s March leadership work moved from helping a local youth council raise funds to learning from tribal leaders at a national gathering. The month connected hands-on service in Fort Hall, Idaho, with the wider relationships she was developing as UNITY’s Northwest Representative.
At the Shoshone-Bannock High School Powwow on March 1 and 2, 2024, Countryman helped the Fort Hall Youth Council with its fundraiser. The council held two cakewalks, creating an activity within a cultural gathering while supporting its own work.
Later that month, she attended the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas with fellow UNITY executive committee members. The March 11–14 gathering offered a different kind of learning environment, with opportunities to hear tribal leaders from across Indian Country.
“It was a once in a lifetime expereince to attend RES in Las Vegas, Nevada,” Countryman wrote. “I enjoyed listending to all the informational talks given by tribal leaders from around Indian Country.”
Countryman belonged to UNITY’s 2023–2024 National UNITY Council Executive Committee cohort. The cohort represents Native youth perspectives, connects regional councils and individual members, and strengthens leadership through cooperation and service. Her March activities connected both local participation and broader leadership learning with that purpose.
Supporting the cakewalks continued a relationship with Fort Hall Youth Council that appears throughout her reports. In January, she helped serve the feast during the annual round dance. Her April update described further fundraising support at Highland High School’s powwow.
That continuing involvement gives context to the national conference experience. Countryman was learning from established leaders while also contributing to the everyday activities through which youth councils organize, serve, and sustain their work.
The two settings connect with UNITY’s social, cultural, and leadership development goals. A school powwow gave her a place to support peers and community activities; RES provided a place to listen to leaders carrying responsibility across Indian Country.
Her report shows these experiences as connected parts of a developing leadership practice: showing up for a local council, learning in new settings, and maintaining relationships across both.
