Leadership transcends borders for Liliana Mars, a proud Narragansett and Navajo youth leader serving as Northeast Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee. Liliana uses her roles from the Pacific coast to the Southeast and back to her Northeast homeland to inspire Native youth, promote cultural pride, and foster unity.
“All throughout September, I was given many opportunities to travel across the United States, and to say I was lucky is an understatement,” Liliana shared. “I was blessed to learn from many different tribes and share the teachings of my Narragansett people. We are still here, still standing strong, and I’m honored to represent my tribe in this way.”
Representing UNITY on a National Scale
Liliana’s journey this month began at the Sycuan Powwow in El Cajon, California, where she participated and won the title of 2024-2025 Miss Sycuan Powwow Princess. This new title joins her role as Northeast Representative, broadening her platform to promote UNITY’s mission and amplify Native voices nationwide.
“A title is more than a crown—it’s a platform,” Liliana said. “It allows me to encourage youth and inspire hope in our communities. It’s about showing that our culture is alive and thriving.”
As Miss Sycuan Powwow Princess, Liliana bridges the Northeast and Pacific regions, using her dual titles to connect communities and promote UNITY’s vision of fostering the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of Native youth.
Building Community Through Grassroots Efforts
Back in her home state of Rhode Island, Liliana worked with the Narragansett Youth Council to organize a food distribution event that provided over 175 boxes of fresh produce, eggs, and honey to tribal members. The event demonstrated the power of grassroots mobilization and civic engagement in addressing community needs.
“Giving back to my community is one of the most rewarding parts of leadership,” Liliana said. “It’s about creating opportunities to care for one another and show what we can achieve together.”
At the Native Agricultural Summit in Bristol, Rhode Island, Liliana spoke about the role of Native youth in shaping the future. She emphasized the importance of passing down traditional knowledge while embracing new opportunities for learning and growth.
“We impact and change our future daily by learning new things and passing down old teachings,” she shared. “Whether it’s through language, dance, crafting, or storytelling, our past teachings will forever carry us forward.”
Connecting Tribes Across Regions
Liliana’s travels also took her to the Lumbee Powwow in Maxton, North Carolina, where she joined Southeast Representative Kaylee Evans to connect with Native youth and discuss regional UNITY meetups. Together, they co-hosted a meetup in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, demonstrating UNITY’s ability to bring tribes and regions together through shared goals and visions.
“Even though the turnout for the meetup was smaller than anticipated, it was a success,” Liliana said. “Every connection matters, and I’m looking forward to hosting more events to strengthen our network.”
Promoting UNITY’s Mission
Liliana’s leadership reflects UNITY’s mission to build a strong, unified, self-reliant Native America. By traveling across regions, she fosters relationships, shares cultural teachings, and inspires Native youth to take pride in their heritage and roles as future leaders.
“UNITY encourages youth to come together, whether on reservations, campuses or in urban centers,” Liliana explained. “Our collective impact is what creates real change in our communities.”
A Legacy of Leadership
From powwows to food distributions and regional meetups, Liliana Mars is proving that leadership knows no boundaries. Through her servant leadership, she is uplifting Native communities, promoting wellness, and ensuring that the teachings of her ancestors continue to guide future generations.
“I will always and forever be grateful for the many opportunities that have been blessed upon me,” Liliana said. “Representation matters, and I’m proud to show the world that our culture is thriving.”
Liliana’s story reminds us that leadership is not about a single role or place—it’s about connection, resilience, and the commitment to make a difference, no matter where you are. She is building bridges across nations through her work, inspiring Native youth to lead with pride, purpose, and unity.