This September, Laylalanai Gocobachi moved with purpose across her community—showing up as a leader, storyteller, and connector. From volunteering at the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Charitable Organization’s annual golf tournament to speaking at the YOEME Youth Council inauguration, she brought encouragement and visibility to Native youth spaces. “Seeing how passionate and driven our youth are gives me hope and strength for our future,” she shared. Her presence at the Miss Pascua Yaqui pageant, where she reflected on her own journey as a former titleholder, added another layer of mentorship—reminding young women of the power of representation and growth.
Her civic engagement reached new levels as she collaborated directly with tribal leadership and programs. Laylalanai met with the Department of Language and Culture to map out her Earth Ambassador workshops, ensuring her work aligns with cultural priorities and community needs. She also engaged with the Iliiaitchik: Indigenous Correspondents Program, refining her storytelling with mentorship support, and was featured in a filmed project by the Santa Cruz Heritage Project, where she spoke on land relationships and Yaqui truth. “I spoke about the importance of the desert, relationships to the land, and why it is important to carry my Hiak Luturia (Yaqui Truth),” she explained.
Service has been at the heart of her work this month. Laylalanai co-led the “Seeds of Strength” workshop alongside Western Region Representative Amaya Escalante and Chokim Co-Speaker Desiree Valenzuela. The workshop created a space for both youth and elders to come together in a healing circle, sharing stories of resilience, trauma, and growth while learning about Native seeds and environmental responsibility. Supported by the Department of Language and Culture, participants painted pots and engaged in hands-on learning—turning cultural knowledge into lived experience. This initiative also connected to her broader work with Native Seeds/SEARCH, where she is planning to bring youth groups for educational tours, expanding access to Indigenous agricultural knowledge.
Laylalanai’s cultural and educational outreach continued across multiple platforms. She released informational videos on Yaqui traditions and resources, hosted a fundraiser to support her environmental film project, and collaborated with youth leaders across the Western Region. She also brought her message to the Im Mampo Tawak Youth Summit in Guadalupe, where she shared words of encouragement and educated participants about UNITY and youth leadership pathways. Her work at Mochik Ranch with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s CET Pilot Project opened doors for future research collaborations tied to her undergraduate studies and Earth Ambassador platform—bridging education with real-world application.
Throughout the month, she remained grounded in community—tabling at cultural events, connecting with youth councils, and building partnerships that will carry her work forward. Her leadership reflects a balance of tradition, innovation, and intention, showing that true impact happens when youth lead from who they are.
The UNITY Earth Ambassador Program continues to uplift leaders like Laylalanai Gocobachi who are transforming their communities through environmental advocacy, cultural revitalization, and youth empowerment. This year’s cohort represents a powerful movement of Indigenous youth reclaiming knowledge, building connections, and creating sustainable futures rooted in identity and purpose. Through workshops, storytelling, and community action, they are not just preparing for the future—they are actively shaping it.