UNITY Awards

2024 UNITY J.R. Cook Advisor of the Year Award

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 2024 National UNITY Conference GALA in Portland, Oregon.

Please note, only online submissions are accepted at this time.

DEADLINE is on May 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm (Phoenix-MST).

Link: https://forms.gle/NQRof26iHnj2Z43a9

2024 Eddie Wadda Alumni of the Year Award

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 2024 National UNITY Conference in Portland, Oregon.

Please note, only online submissions are accepted at this time. Only online materials submitted by this date will be reviewed and considered.

DEADLINE is on May 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm (Phoenix-MST)

Link: https://forms.gle/eJa7PamyFy1Ym4mM9

2024 UNITY Scholarships: The J.R. & Golda Cook Awards

Golda Cook Scholarship

Deadline: May 17, 2024

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 17, 2024

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 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:

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 video message as acceptance speech

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

Link: https://forms.gle/qWPsXMngUGfwxU2b9

2024-25 National UNITY Council (NUC) Declaration of Candidacy Petition

This petition is for National UNITY Council (NUC) members who are interested in running for regional area representative positions and Co-Presidents (Female and Male) on the NUC Executive Committee. Members petitioning must be in good standing in order for their name to be on the ballot. Criteria for good standing is as follows:

Representatives of youth councils in good standing:

-Youth Council Constitution and Bylaws submitted

-Letter of Resolution

-Completed one project in the past year

-Submit an annual youth council report at https://forms.gle/Hi6mqJvUCbsuM1R69

-$100.00 affiliation fee

Individuals in good standing:

-Letter of support from a tribal leader

-Annual Report (community service completed within the year) at https://forms.gle/Hi6mqJvUCbsuM1R69

-$50.00 affiliation fee

Criteria for those running for a Co-President (Female and Male) position:

-Must be in good standing

-Must have previously served as an Area Representative on the NUC Executive Committee

DEADLINE to submit petition is May 30, 2024, 5:00pm (Mountain Standard Time)

Link: https://forms.gle/mvRtzMJkvAvKaLtq8

2024-25 UNITY Annual Membership Report

Every year, the National UNITY Council requires its members to submit an annual report. These reports qualify youth councils as candidates for the Youth Council of the Year award. Youth Councils and Individual members who complete their report and pay their membership fee before May 17th, are eligible to vote during the National UNITY Council Business Meeting on July 1, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. Members may pay separately on UNITY’s donation page or if attending the national conference, you may pay on the registration site (Youth Councils $100 and Individual members $50). Perks may include but are not limited to youth council materials, resources, network contacts, and eligibility for awards.