This September, Mahiya Ramirez stepped into a powerful leadership role as she helped facilitate the Southeast Regional Earth Ambassador Gathering in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Bringing together Native youth from across the region, the gathering created space for connection, learning, and collective growth. “Youth traveled from across the Southeast region to connect, network, and strengthen their commitment to environmental stewardship,” Mahiya shared. Through this experience, she helped cultivate an environment where young leaders could uplift one another and deepen their understanding of their responsibilities to land and water.
The gathering itself became a vibrant community event, rooted in both cultural exchange and environmental awareness. Youth explored the Big Cypress Reservation and Miccosukee wetlands, immersing themselves in ecosystems rich with life and meaning. From hands-on learning to unforgettable moments—like safely interacting with young alligators—participants engaged with the land in ways that made stewardship personal. “This gathering was not only a training, but also an immersive experience on the land and water,” Mahiya reflected. These shared experiences strengthened bonds among participants while reinforcing their roles as protectors of the earth.
Mahiya’s civic engagement extended beyond facilitation—she also took the stage to present her Earth Ambassador platform, “Recycled to Refined: Threads Reborn.” Through this initiative, she is reimagining environmental advocacy through the lens of fashion, culture, and creativity. “My work focuses on sustainable fashion and upcycling as creative tools for environmental action and cultural expression,” she explained. By addressing the environmental harms of fast fashion, she empowers youth to rethink consumption and embrace sustainability as both responsibility and art form.
Her service project approach is hands-on and accessible, teaching participants how to transform discarded clothing into wearable art. “This approach not only reduces waste but also encourages youth to see sustainability as a form of self-expression rooted in Indigenous values of respect for land and water,” she said. Through workshops and storytelling, Mahiya is helping youth see that environmental action doesn’t have to look one way—it can be creative, personal, and deeply cultural.
The educational impact of the gathering was undeniable. Youth left with strengthened leadership skills, deeper cultural connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. “They left Ft. Lauderdale with new knowledge, fresh ideas, a stronger sense of responsibility, and a shared commitment to protecting the land and water for future generations,” Mahiya shared. By creating space for storytelling, collaboration, and experiential learning, the gathering reinforced that Indigenous youth leadership is rooted in both tradition and innovation.
The UNITY Earth Ambassador Program continues to elevate youth leaders like Mahiya Ramirez, who are redefining what environmental advocacy looks like in Indigenous communities. This year’s cohort is bold, creative, and deeply committed—blending culture, sustainability, and leadership into real-world impact. Whether through fashion, storytelling, or land-based learning, these Earth Ambassadors are proving that the future of environmental stewardship is not only in good hands—it’s being reimagined, redesigned, and reclaimed.