This month, Jada Allen traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to attend the Southeastern Earth Ambassador Regional Gathering, joining Native youth leaders, UNITY staff, and regional representatives for a powerful experience rooted in connection, culture, and environmental learning. Surrounded by peers from across the Southeast, Jada stepped into a space where youth voices, lived experiences, and shared knowledge came together to strengthen a collective commitment to protecting the land and water. “It was an amazing event,” she shared, reflecting on the impact of the gathering.
The gathering served as a meaningful community event, bringing together Indigenous youth from diverse homelands to learn from one another and build lasting relationships. For Jada, whose roots are grounded in the swamp lands of North Carolina, the opportunity to connect with Seminole and Miccosukee leaders created a powerful sense of familiarity and shared understanding. “As a person from a swamp landscape, it was amazing to meet Seminole and Miccosukee tribal and environmental leaders,” she said. These moments of connection highlight the importance of intertribal exchange and the ways Indigenous communities share similar relationships with their environments.
Through immersive experiences in the Everglades, Jada engaged in hands-on learning that deepened her understanding of ecosystems, water systems, and the role Indigenous communities play in environmental protection. These experiences reflect a broader form of civic engagement—one that centers listening, observing, and learning directly from the land and those who have cared for it for generations. The gathering created space for youth to ask questions, share stories, and reflect on how their own communities can continue to protect vital natural resources.
Jada’s participation also aligns with her ongoing commitment to service and environmental education. By attending and engaging fully in the gathering, she is strengthening her ability to bring knowledge back home to her community. These experiences equip her with new perspectives and tools to support future initiatives focused on environmental resilience and preparedness—issues that deeply impact coastal and swamp-based tribal communities.
Educationally, the gathering reinforced the importance of place-based learning and Indigenous knowledge systems. By witnessing how the Seminole and Miccosukee communities steward their lands, Jada gained insight into how cultural practices and environmental science work together to sustain ecosystems. These lessons will continue to shape her work as she develops her Earth Ambassador platform.
The UNITY Earth Ambassador Program continues to uplift leaders like Jada Allen who are expanding their understanding of environmental stewardship through connection, culture, and community. This year’s cohort represents a network of Indigenous youth who are learning from one another, honoring their homelands, and stepping into leadership roles that prioritize sustainability and resilience. Through experiences like the Southeastern Gathering, they are not only growing as individuals—they are strengthening a movement rooted in Indigenous knowledge and collective responsibility.