Pacific Region

UNITY Regional Profile

The Pacific Region consists of geographical areas and the states of California and Hawaii. The Pacific region has 40 affiliated youth councils in 2 states within the UNITY Network.

2024 Fall Native Youth Meetup

2022 SPRING Pacific VIRTUAL MEET-UP

2021 Fall Pacific Virtual Meet-Up

UNITY News: Pacific Updates

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Pacific Regional Representative: Ashley Johnston

Ashley Johnston – UNITY Pacific Area Representative

Tribe: Bishop Paiute Tribe

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Meet your Representative

Manahuu! ii na-nia-nai Ashley Johnston Payahuupu-wae nuu kima du, Bishop a wae nuu novi-du. she is a lifelong resident of Bishop, California, and a proud member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe. Ashley is the daughter of Carrie Brown and Tony Brown, and has 4 siblings, Leticia Gonzales, the late Carlos Gonzales Jr., Kaytlynn Johnston, and George Brown.

The Pacific Region is California and Hawaii, there are 110 federally recognized tribes in California and 81 seeking recognition.

Ashley is 17 years old and entering her Senior year at Bishop Union High School. She has previously served as the secretary for the Bishop Tribal Youth Council and is presently a general member. Ashley is also involved in various activities and projects to represent the Bishop Paiute Tribe such as cultural craft and tribal language programs, with our local cultural center and the Bishop Indian Education Center, she feels that it is important to continue our traditions and practices. Part of what has been an inspiration for her to pursue this position is my involvement with the Bishop Tribal Youth Council and volunteering for our Bishop Paiute Tribal Community. Ashley has been an active member of the Bishop Tribal Youth Council since her sixth-grade year. She is very honored and humbled to have the opportunity to represent the Pacific region and the UNITY organization. Ashley hopes to serve her community in the best way she can.

National UNITY Council Contact Information

PACIFIC REGION

Ashley Johnston, Pacific Regional Representative

aj.pacific@unityinc.org

National UNITY Council Executive Committee

nucec@unityinc.org

UNITY Youth Councils in the Pacific Region

Pacific Region Youth Councils

Agua Caliente Young Adults
Tule River Youth Council
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indian Youth Council
Soboba Youth Council
Bishop Tribal Youth Council
Tribal Youth Ambassadors
San Manuel Youth Committee
Tachi-Yokut Youth Council
Coyote Valley Youth Council
San Diego Inter-Tribal UNITY Youth Council
West Coast Native Youth
San Pasqual Native Youth Council
Wiyot Youth Council
Bay Area Inter-Tribal Youth Council
Santa Ynez Chumash
UAIC UNITY Youth Council
InterTribal Youth Council of Orange County
Viejas Youth Leaders
Morongo Band of Mission Indians Youth Council
Future Generations TRTC
United Ata’axum Youth Council
Torres Martinez Youth Council
Susanville Unity Youth Council
Round Valley UNITY Youth Council
ACORN
Big River Youth Council
Cedarville Rancheria
Hoopa Valley Tribal Jr. Youth Council
La Jolla GENERATIONS Program
Sacramento Native TANF Youth council
SCTCA Native Youth Success Program
Sherman Indian High School
Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians
Southern California Native Youth
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Table Mountain Rancheria Youth Council
Tuolumne MeWuk TANF
UNITY Youth Council of Kings County

Meet Your Earth Ambassador

Bronson Kainoa Azama, 22

Tribe: Kānaka Maoli, Hawaiʻi

Bronson is a senior at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa majoring in Political Science focusing on Indigenous Politics. He is expecting to graduate in 2024. He is a youth trailblazer who has advocated at every level of government from the City Council to the United Nations. His experience, skill sets, and values are proven and tested to help facilitate change in government and the community to benefit kānaka maoli and our ʻāina (natural environment/family).

What does it mean to you to be an environmental ambassador? In our traditions in the Pacific the Earth, Sky, and Sea, and all natural things of this earth are viewed as ʻohana, family, or kaainga, also family. Our duties entail caring for our grandmother earth, sky father, and our mother who is the sea. It is our sacred duty to protect our family, the titles bestowed upon our people identify who we are. Such a title as to be an Earth Ambassador is to be someone who embodies what is best for our natural family to maintain a reciprocal relationship to ensure they are best capable to feed their children the humans, the birds, the fish, and so much more. An Earth Ambassador speaks and acts in the best interest of the Earth(grandmother, to ensure our cousins the bird and whales are cared for amongst all other relatives of the natural world, and that our grandmother can continue to nourish life that sustains all generations to come after our time in this world.

Meet your 25 Under 25

Natalie Battiest, 21, Choctaw, California

School: Master’s Degree in Global Medicine (2024); Bachelor’s Degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2024), University of California

Platform: EmpowerED is a transformative initiative designed to support Native high school students in navigating their educational and career pathways. This program will offer a series of workshops and career panels focusing on essential skills such as study techniques, college applications, and career exploration. By collaborating with guest speakers, including Native students in higher education, the program aims to provide participants with practical insights and inspiration. The initiative will unfold over several months, beginning with program planning and curriculum development, followed by workshop preparation and guest speaker recruitment. The core phase will involve implementing the workshops and career panels, with the final stage dedicated to evaluating the program’s impact through participant feedback and tracking post-program outcomes. As the project leader, I will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of EmpowerED, including curriculum design, guest speaker coordination, and logistical arrangements. The goal is to empower Native youth with the tools and knowledge to pursue higher education and career opportunities, fostering a supportive environment for their academic and professional growth.

Racquel Jean Oliver-Britton, 22, Yuki, California

School: Junior, Mendocino Community College, Major: Human Services

Platform: I plan to tackle the drug problem in my community by organizing a series of large-scale events involving drug counselors, teachers, tribal health members, and local law enforcement. The project will feature workshops for different age groups: elementary and middle school students will have indoor sessions, high school students will use gym or classroom settings, and adults and elders will participate in outdoor discussions. Scheduled from spring to summer, the events will include games, meals, and participation from local youth, with my role focusing on overseeing the schedule, coordinating activities, and ensuring the events run smoothly.

Crystal

“Being here with UNITY is such a great experience. You get to meet so many new people and learn more about different tribes and their cultures.””

Marisa

“The gathering, the sharing of cultures, the UNITY of our people!”

Greg

“Our YOUTH is the future!”

Fefe

“It’s the best place to be open about what you think and what you want to do for your school or community. They make you feel like family and welcome you openly.”

Darlene

“Great organization that allows empowerment for the Native youth to excel in leadership skills, networking opportunity, and early professional growth.”

Kay

“Awesome for youth group & leadership.”