Watson Whitford’s April leadership carried him from Bozeman to Farmington, from Montana to Ontario, and across relationships that remind us Indigenous kinship is bigger than any border. As the National UNITY Council Executive Committee Male Co-President, Watson continued his education at Montana State University, served through the American Indian Council and Buffalo Nations, invited Native youth to UNITY’s national network, and used his voice to encourage youth to stay connected to culture, language, and education
Watson continued his education at Montana State University while staying active with the American Indian Council. After helping with the 50th annual American Indian Council Powwow, he also helped host a Powwow Showcase in Bozeman that brought the community together to learn about different powwow dance styles through song and dance.
The Montana State University American Indian Council Powwow Showcase was held at the Emerson Center and was designed to share Indigenous song and dance from across the region while educating attendees about powwow dance styles. The showcase also served as a fundraiser connected to the American Indian Council’s cultural programming.
For Watson, the showcase was a beautiful night of teaching, celebration, and community connection. It reflected how Native youth leaders can help create welcoming spaces where culture is not only performed, but explained, respected, and shared.
Watson also traveled to Billings, Montana, for a powwow, where he connected with relatives and youth. These moments gave him the opportunity to visit with community members and invite youth to the upcoming National UNITY Conference.
Through each conversation, Watson helped extend UNITY’s mission beyond formal meetings and into the places where Native families and youth already gather. Powwows continue to be powerful spaces for relationship-building, cultural pride, and youth outreach.
Watson was invited by Navajo Preparatory School to speak at the “Night of Brilliance” gala in Farmington, New Mexico. The inaugural gala raised scholarship support for Navajo Prep students and brought together community leaders, including Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.
During the evening, Watson had the opportunity to speak with President Nygren and other local and state leaders. He was also invited to share his experience as a Navajo Prep alumnus and speak about how scholarships helped him transition more smoothly into college.
His message connected personal testimony with educational advocacy. By sharing how scholarship support impacted his journey, Watson helped show how investing in Native youth education can open doors and strengthen future leaders.
From New Mexico, Watson traveled to Toronto, Ontario, and then by train to Belleville, near Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. There, he spoke with youth from the Mohawk Nation in Tyendinaga and shared his experience reconnecting with culture and language.
The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte describe Tyendinaga as a Kanyen’kehá:ka community united by language, culture, traditions, knowledge, and history, with responsibilities to protect and respect their people, land, resources, and environment.
Watson’s goal was to inspire youth to begin or continue their own journeys of learning traditional ways of life while pursuing education. He also opened the conference with UNITY-style icebreakers, helping create connection, laughter, and a sense of belonging. Classic UNITY move: break the ice, then build the bridge.
Reflecting on his experience with First Nations relatives, Watson shared, “The border does not define our relationships with our relatives, we are still very connected to our First Nations relatives.”
His words carry a powerful message. Indigenous peoples have long-standing relationships, histories, languages, and responsibilities that existed before modern borders. Watson’s travel to Canada, his conversations with First Nations youth, and his gratitude for the opportunity to learn from their community all reflect a larger vision of Indigenous unity across Turtle Island.
Watson’s leadership reflects the mission of the National UNITY Council, which brings together Native youth, Native Hawaiian youth, and Alaskan Native youth to study common concerns, strengthen leadership skills, and speak with a positive and unified voice. Through education, cultural outreach, scholarship advocacy, and relationship-building with First Nations youth, Watson is helping inspire hope and change lives for the better in Indian Country.
As the Male Co-President of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Watson Whitford plays a vital role in helping guide UNITY’s national network and representing Native youth voices across regions. His month of service shows that Indigenous leadership can travel across communities and borders while staying rooted in culture, language, education, and the belief that our relatives are never far from us.