Native Youth Participate in UNITY’s New Healing Circle Training in Gila River
Gila River youth leaders help introduce research-informed curriculum focused on cultural connection, peer support, and community wellness planning.
GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY, Ariz. — Native youth from across the Phoenix metropolitan area participated in UNITY’s HealingCircle training October 3–4, 2026, at the Huhugam Heritage Center. Hosted in partnership with the Akimel O’odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council (AOPPYC), the weekend gathering introduced UNITY’s newly redesigned, research-informed curriculum focused on strengthening cultural identity, resilience, healthy relationships, and youth-led community wellness initiatives.
The updated Healing Circle curriculum combines Indigenous cultural values with research-informed prevention strategies through interactive, hands-on activities. Participants created personal medicine bags to identify their individual strengths and sources of support, constructed oversized beaded earrings to represent community support networks, and explored how cultural connections serve as protective factors for Native youth. Additional sessions focused on creating safe and inclusive spaces, being a good relative, recognizing community needs, and practicing ways to navigate difficult conversations and connect peers with appropriate support.
The Akimel O’odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council played an important role in hosting the training, including welcoming participants through local cultural sharing and highlighting its ongoing community wellness efforts. On Sunday, council members presented upcoming youth activities and wellness initiatives planned for the coming year. Participants then worked in small groups to strengthen these existing projects by identifying community partners, incorporating protective factors, and developing specific 30-, 60-, and 90-day action steps. Teams concluded the training by presenting their wellness plans and identifying opportunities for continued collaboration.
The gathering also highlighted local community partnerships. Participants enjoyed an Indigenous-inspired lunch catered by The Ranch Mobile Eatery. The local cultural contributions, youth-led presentations, and community-centered activities helped connect the curriculum’s prevention objectives with the traditions, resources, and leadership already present in the Gila River Indian Community.
The Gila River training is part of UNITY’s broader effort to expand culturally grounded youth wellness education through regional HealingCircle gatherings. UNITY extends its appreciation to the Clayton and Odessa Lang Ofstad Foundation for its support of the HealingCircles initiative and to the Akimel O’odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council and local community partners for helping make this gathering possible. Through continued partnerships, UNITY aims to equip Native youth with practical peer-support skills and opportunities to lead community-based prevention and wellness efforts.
Interested in hosting a UNITY Healing Circle? Tribal Youth Councils and community partners can visit UNITY’s website to connect with the UNITY team about hosting opportunities.