Kaylee Evans is creating meaningful opportunities for cultural education, advocacy, and student leadership through her involvement in Native student initiatives in the Northeast Region. Based in North Carolina and actively engaged at Columbia University, Kaylee has helped organize events that center Native visibility, wellness, cultural expression, and community connection for Indigenous students and allies.
One of Kaylee’s important contributions this year focused on raising awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). In November 2025, she helped the Columbia Native American Council organize and install a memorial on the Butler Lawns at Columbia University. Located in a central area of campus, the memorial served as both a space for reflection and a public educational display honoring Indigenous women while bringing attention to the ongoing MMIW crisis. The project emphasized Social Wellness by encouraging awareness, visibility, and support for Native communities through education and collective action.
Kaylee also supported Mental Wellness through cultural arts and community-building activities. On April 3, 2026, she helped organize a Ribbon Skirt Workshop at Columbia University that welcomed more than 20 participants. The workshop taught Native students how to create ribbon skirts while also encouraging craft-making as a positive outlet for stress relief and emotional wellness. By creating space for cultural learning and creativity, the workshop fostered community connection and strengthened cultural pride among participating students.
In May 2026, Kaylee played a major leadership role in organizing the annual Columbia Powwow held in Central Park. The student-led event welcomed more than 200 attendees and celebrated Native cultures, dance, and community gathering. Serving as both the Head Woman and one of the main planners, Kaylee helped coordinate an event that reflected strong student leadership and collaboration. The powwow created opportunities for Native students, families, and community members to come together in celebration while strengthening Social Wellness through cultural engagement and shared community space.
Kaylee also participated in advocacy and student support efforts during an “Emergency Teach-In: DHS and Columbia” event held in February 2026 at Columbia University. The gathering focused on helping students better understand safety resources and ways to protect themselves during a time of concern surrounding immigration enforcement activity on campus. The event highlighted Physical Wellness through education, preparedness, and peer support.
Looking ahead, Kaylee expressed interest in creating more opportunities that bring Native youth from across the Northeast Region together. Her work reflects a commitment to strengthening connections between Indigenous students and building supportive spaces where Native youth can learn, lead, and uplift one another.
Through advocacy, cultural education, and student-led leadership, Kaylee Evans continues to embody UNITY’s mission of empowering Native youth to serve their communities with strength, compassion, and cultural pride.
