Throughout 2025, the Hualapai Tribal Youth Council in Arizona’s Western Region continued creating meaningful spaces for youth, families and elders through community service, cultural learning and wellness-centered events. Sponsored by the Hualapai Tribe, the youth council demonstrated Native youth leadership in action by organizing opportunities that strengthened community connection while honoring Hualapai traditions.
One of the council’s largest efforts was the Youth Social Bird Gatherings held on August 22, 2025, at the Hualapai Cultural Resources Building. Centered on Social Wellness, the back-to-school event welcomed more than 100 community members and provided school supplies for students from Head Start through college. The gathering also created opportunities for local vendors to set up tents and share their work with the community. By bringing families together while helping students prepare for the school year, the youth council supported both youth success and community wellbeing in a practical and welcoming way.
The council also deepened cultural learning through Traditional Plant Harvesting on September 21, 2025, at Diamond Creek in the Grand Canyon. During this Spiritual Wellness activity, youth members harvested traditional plants to be used as décor for the Hualapai Days fashion show while learning Hualapai language connected to animals, plants and traditional ethnobotany. The day also included hiking, swimming and shared meals, creating space for relationship-building and cultural connection. The experience highlighted how youth leadership can preserve and strengthen cultural knowledge while creating opportunities for learning together.
Community engagement remained a strong focus throughout the year. On July 10, 2025, the youth council participated in Hualapai Family Day – Traditional Game at Metcalfe Park in Kingman, Arizona. More than 100 attendees joined the celebration, where youth council members taught community members how to play Wistoh, a traditional Hualapai game, and awarded prizes to participants. Children as young as six joined in, making the activity an intergenerational opportunity to share culture through play. Earlier in the summer, on June 18, the council also supported Elderly Fun Day at the Hualapai Recreation & Gymnasium. Even with summer work schedules limiting attendance, youth leadership was present—assisting elders with physical activities including basketball toss, mobility exercises and movement-based games in support of Physical Wellness.
Looking ahead, the Hualapai Tribal Youth Council shared ideas for expanding opportunities through more technology and video gaming workshops for younger generations, along with a future gathering for Arizona youth councils to connect and build relationships statewide. Their vision reflects UNITY’s mission by uplifting Native youth leadership through service, cultural pride and community-centered wellness. Through every event—whether gathering school supplies, sharing traditional games, learning on the land or supporting elders—the Hualapai Tribal Youth Council continues to lead with purpose and strengthen community for future generations.
