Watson has proven to be an exceptional leader, dedicating his time and efforts to preserving cultural traditions, building connections with Indigenous youth, and strengthening the ties in his community. In February, Watson’s journey took him across multiple locations, each offering opportunities to further his leadership skills and deepen his commitment to his cultural heritage.
One of the highlights of Watson’s month was attending the UNITY Midyear Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. This event brought together Indigenous youth from across the country, and Watson found himself inspired by the stories of resilience, leadership, and passion that filled the conference. He connected with fellow youth leaders, learning from their experiences and sharing his own vision for empowering Indigenous communities. For Watson, this conference was more than just a networking opportunity—it was a chance to feel the strength of the unity that exists among young leaders striving to make a difference.
Prior to the conference, Watson took the opportunity to visit the Gila River Community to learn about their cultural restoration work. This experience was deeply impactful for him, as he gained valuable insight into the ways communities can restore and revitalize their traditions, customs, and practices. Watson is committed to preserving the cultural ways of his own community, and learning from the Gila River community’s efforts strengthened his belief in the importance of this work for future generations.
After the conference, Watson returned to his community to continue his dedication to preserving his culture. He spent time visiting with elders in his community to deepen his understanding of their traditional way of life and to continue learning his language. Watson is passionate about keeping these traditions alive, and he hopes his work will contribute to sustaining these ways of life for many generations to come. As he emphasizes, “Creating relationships with our elders is important and will allow us to maintain our traditional ways of life.”
In addition to his local work, Watson had the privilege of traveling to Swift Current, Saskatchewan to attend a powwow, where he was able to witness the power of cultural expression and connect with others who share his values. He also participated in a round dance in his community of Rocky Boy, an event that allowed him to support the work being done by local leaders and to continue strengthening the bonds within his community.
Watson’s dedication to his community is clear. Throughout his time at home, he actively participates in ceremonies and does whatever he can to support the ongoing work of his people. He recognizes the importance of this involvement in both the present and future and remains committed to ensuring that the traditions of his culture continue to thrive.
Through all of these experiences, Watson has shown himself to be a leader who values the wisdom and guidance of elders, is committed to cultural revitalization, and is determined to ensure that the traditions of his people are preserved for the generations to come.