The UNITY Rocky Mountain Rep O’Shay Birdinground (Apsaalooke)has been attending events in his region. He attended the Rocky Boy and Crow Fair celebrations and started his senior year at the University of Montana.
On August 9-11 and 22-27, he attended different cultural celebrations with his community. O’Shay shared, “Powwow means everything to me. At one point in time, we were practicing our culture away from the public eye, and now, in modern times, we can actively participate in public for everyone to come and celebrate our unique cultures.”
NATIONAL UNITY COUNCIL
This Youth Program is made up of representatives from UNITY Youth Council and Individual Membership. The mission of the National UNITY Council is to represent the UNITY Network so that common concerns are studied and addressed with a positive and unified voice. This will be accomplished through midyear and national meetings and projects that develop the leadership skills of Native youth by drawing upon their Native heritage and teachings. Further, the National Council will provide a means through which Native youth may learn how to effectively work together and address issues of concern in an environment that encourages them to interact in a dignified manner that respects and honors all.
A major component of the national UNITY Network is the National UNITY Council (NUC), which is comprised of male and female representatives from each of the affiliated youth councils as well as affiliated individuals. The NUC is the central collective voice of UNITY, where Native Youth have the opportunity to take a stance on issues affecting Indian Country. Presiding over the National UNITY Council is the National UNITY Council Executive Committee (NUCEC), which is comprised of ten Regional Representatives and both the Male and Female Co-Presidents.
The NUCEC is made up of one male and one female who serve as co-Presidents, and 10 area representatives who represent UNITY youth councils and individual members in 10 regions.
To invite O’Shay to an upcoming event email ob.rockymountain@unityinc.org