Phoenix, Ariz. – United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY), the nation’s oldest and largest Native youth leadership organization, concluded its historic 50th Anniversary National Conference at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Held from July 10 to July 14, the landmark five-day event brought together more than 3,000 Native youth, tribal leaders, advisors, educators, and community advocates from across the United States. 

The celebration marked half a century of UNITY’s dedication to fostering the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of Native youth. Returning to Oklahoma, where the organization’s roots run deep, the conference served as both a reflection on five decades of powerful advocacy and a launching pad for the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

“To celebrate 50 years of UNITY in Oklahoma, where our journey first began, has been a profoundly emotional homecoming,” said Mary Kim Titla, UNITY’s executive director. “Seeing thousands of our young people standing proud in their culture, raising their voices, and claiming their space, I know the future of Indian Country is in brilliant hands. This 50th anniversary wasn’t just a milestone, it was a launching pad. We have spent five decades building this foundation, and this week, our youth proved they are ready to carry the torch forward with fierce determination, cultural pride, and limitless vision.”

Inspiring Keynotes and Trailblazing Co-Chairs

The historic event was headlined by a diverse lineup of trailblazing Native American leaders, artists, and athletes who shared powerful messages of perseverance, representation, and excellence:

• Lindy Waters III (Kiowa/Cherokee), NBA athlete for the San Antonio Spurs and former Oklahoma City Thunder player, who spoke on dedication and uplifting youth.
• Chef Pyet DeSpain (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), the first-ever winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef, who demonstrated the power of preserving heritage through Indigenous fusion cuisine.
• Dallas Goldtooth (Dakota), actor (Fallout, Reservation Dogs) and activist, who emphasized the importance of authentic cultural storytelling.
• Julian Brave NoiseCat (Canim Lake Band Tsq’escen), Academy Award-nominated filmmaker and author, who spoke on the intersection of art, history, and activism.
• Christian Wassana (Cheyenne/Arapaho), activist and filmmaker, who inspired youth with his personal movement, “I Am, I Can, I Will.”
• Gary “Litefoot” Davis (Cherokee), pioneering artist and entrepreneur, who championed Indigenous empowerment through business and the arts.

Dynamic Programming and Cultural Traditions

Throughout the five days, attendees aged 14 to 24 engaged in a robust agenda designed to inspire civic action and personal growth:

• Over 40 Youth-Led Workshops: Covering critical contemporary issues including mental health, environmental stewardship, higher education, career readiness, and tribal governance.
• Career & Education Day: Presented by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Pechanga Band of Indians, this event connected hundreds of youth directly with top universities, tribal corporations, and national employers.
• Cultural “Good Medicine”: Attendees participated in deep-seated cultural traditions, including the sacred UNITY Fire, the UNITY Spirit Room for reflection, and an open UNITY Drum Circle.
• National UNITY Council Business Meeting: Youth delegates practiced civic engagement, debated key issues, and democratically elected the next National UNITY Executive Committee to lead the organization forward.
• Civic and Athletic Events: The annual 3v3 basketball tournament and first-ever volleyball tournament encouraged team building and physical wellness.

Recognizing Leadership and Education

UNITY youth elected Nathan Solorio (Brokenhead Ojibway Nation/Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation of Pennsylvania) and Marla Mersarina (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe/Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of Minnesota) as co-presidents of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee. 

During their one-year term, Solorio and Mersarina will work with the following area representatives who were elected by youth councils during the conference: 

• Kayle Evans (Haliwa-Saponi/Lumbee, New York), Vice President/Northeast Area
• Alina Sanchez (Miwok – Wilton Rancheria, California), Secretary/Pacific Area
• Weston Bird (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation, North Dakota), Great Plains Area
• Kynsie May (Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Minnesota), Midwest Area
• Dean Smith (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Oregon), Northwest Area
• Rhiannon Eaglespeaker (Blackfeet/Kiowa, Montana), Rocky Mountain Area
• Ethan Hedgepeth (Cherokee/Tuscarora, North Carolina), Southeast Area
• Rulan Harjo (Fort Sill Apache Tribe, Oklahoma), Southern Plains Area
• Jesse Crowe III (Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico), Southwest Area
• Landon Martinez (Gila River-O’odham/Pee-Pos0h, Arizona), Western Area

The Golda Cook Scholarship was established in honor of the life of Golda Cook (1913- 2005) and her ongoing support of UNITY. Golda’s friends, family, and UNITY trustees have made contributions to establishing the Golda Cook Memorial Fund. This year’s recipients are:

• Talon Watchman (Navajo Nation), attending Stanford University, majoring in management science, engineering, and Native studies.
• Kowi Sunray (Kiowa), attending Wheaton College, majoring in biblical and theological studies.

The J.R. Cook Scholarship honors the life of UNITY’s founder, J.R. Cook (1939- 2022), and his vision to empower Native youth to reach their full potential. His family and UNITY Alumni have established this scholarship. This scholarship was awarded to: 

• Marla Mesarina (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe/Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, pursuing Bachelor of Arts in Ojibwemowin language and a Bachelor of Science in nutrition
• Samantha Eddy (Navajo), attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pursuing a graduate degree in architecture

During the 50th Anniversary UNITY Gala, sponsored by the Gila River Indian Community, the following awards were presented:

• UNITY J.R. Cook Advisor of the Year: Carla Whiteman (Cheyenne and Arapaho with Osage relations), advisor for the Riverside Indian School, Oklahoma
• UNITY Eddie Wadda Alumni of the Year: Dan Terrio (Stockbridge Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians), director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for Milwaukee County, Wisconsin 
• UNITY Youth Council of the Year: Navajo Prep Naat’áanii Youth Council, Farmington, New Mexico
• UNITY Youth of the Year: Néepa Hyde (Shinnecock/Onodaga), The Knox School, Long Island, New York

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ABOUT UNITY
Founded in 1976, United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) is a national network organization promoting personal development, citizenship, and leadership among Native Youth. UNITY’s mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth ages 14 -24, and to help build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement. UNITY’s network currently includes 274 affiliated youth councils in 34 states. Youth Councils are sponsored by Tribes, Alaska Native villages, high schools, colleges, urban centers, and others. UNITY’s signature event is the National UNITY Conference, held each summer in various states. It is the longest, largest Native American and Alaska Native youth leadership conference in the country, with more than 2,000 attendees annually.