Behind every powerful youth gathering is a team of leaders working tirelessly to make it happen. This January, Liliana Mars of the Narragansett and Navajo Nations dedicated much of her time to preparing for one of UNITY’s most impactful events of the year—the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference.
As a Northeast Executive Committee Member of the National UNITY Council, Liliana spent the early part of the month fundraising, organizing, and coordinating logistics to help ensure the conference would be a success. Planning events that bring hundreds of Native youth together requires dedication and teamwork, and Liliana played an active role in helping prepare for the gathering.
Although her busy schedule prevented her from attending a youth council meeting hosted by the Mashpee Tribe, Liliana remains connected to the community and looks forward to attending their Winter Ball in February.
From January 16–19, Liliana joined Native youth leaders from across the country at the Sheraton Downtown in Phoenix, Arizona, for the UNITY Midyear Conference. The annual gathering brought together youth from affiliated councils throughout the UNITY network to participate in leadership sessions, cultural activities, and discussions about issues affecting Native youth today.
For Liliana, UNITY gatherings are always meaningful experiences. Reflecting on the conference, she shared, “I love any and all UNITY conferences because it warms my heart to see the youth interacting, networking, and overall learning new things.”
Seeing young leaders connect and support one another reinforces why she continues to stay involved in youth leadership. She explained, “I believe UNITY conferences start the foundation for young leaders, those that need that extra push and motivation, those that need the support.”
Liliana believes strongly in the role UNITY plays in shaping the next generation of Indigenous leaders. “I believe that UNITY is the foundation of it all, and why I continue to help and work with all these kids as much as I can.”
Her dedication reflects the mission of the National UNITY Council (NUC), which represents more than 300 affiliated youth councils nationwide and serves as the unified voice of Native youth, including Native Hawaiian and Alaskan Natives. Through leadership conferences, community projects, and youth-led discussions, UNITY provides a platform where Native youth can build confidence, strengthen cultural identity, and develop solutions for challenges facing their communities.
As a Northeast Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Liliana helps elevate youth voices while supporting initiatives that empower Native youth across the UNITY network. From organizing behind the scenes to participating in the conference itself, her work continues to help build the foundation where future Indigenous leaders can grow, connect, and lead.