This month, Jizelle Juan took her leadership across the ocean to Hilo, Hawaiʻi, where she traveled with the Bird Singing and Dancing by the River group to participate in the Hilo All Nations Powwow. Representing the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Jizelle and her group shared Piipaash bird dancing, O’odham basket dancing, and social dances, offering a powerful expression of identity and connection. “Traveling to Hawaiʻi to share our O’odham and Piipaash songs and dances was truly powerful,” she shared. Through movement, song, and presence, Jizelle helped build bridges between Indigenous communities separated by geography but united in culture.
While in Hawaiʻi, Jizelle and her group extended their impact beyond the powwow grounds by visiting a local school for a meaningful cultural exchange. Welcomed with a traditional song by students, the visit quickly turned into a shared experience of learning and respect. Jizelle helped explain the unique identity of her community—two tribes in one: the O’odham and Piipaash—and participated in a fashion show highlighting traditional regalia. She also spoke about her leadership roles, including her work as President of the Young River Peoples Council and as a UNITY Earth Ambassador. “Hearing the students close with a thank-you song reminded me how deeply culture can connect us, no matter where we come from,” she reflected.
Back home in Salt River, Jizelle continued her commitment to civic engagement and youth leadership through the ongoing work of the Young River Peoples Council (YRPC). She participated in executive and general meetings, helping guide the direction of the council and ensuring youth voices remain at the center of community decision-making. These consistent efforts reflect her dedication to building strong leadership structures for the next generation.
Her service projects throughout the month focused heavily on cultural education and mentorship. Jizelle helped teach traditional games such as Toka (women’s game) and Songivil (men’s game) to youth across multiple programs, including the Teen Wolf Program, Boys & Girls Club of Salt River, and the Hawk and Hummingbird Mentorship Program. She also guided youth in creating usaga, the hitting stick used in Toka—ensuring that cultural knowledge is not only taught but practiced. These hands-on teachings bring tradition to life while strengthening identity and confidence among young people.
Jizelle also helped host a booth at the Himdag Ki Fun Fair, where YRPC engaged the community through games, giveaways, and social dancing—creating a welcoming space for connection and celebration. Through every event, she demonstrated that leadership is about showing up, sharing knowledge, and uplifting others.
Reflecting on her experiences, Jizelle remains grounded in purpose. “Every time I share who we are—from our dances to our youth leadership—I feel proud to carry the voices of my community and our traditions forward,” she said. Her journey this month is a powerful reminder that culture is not just preserved—it is lived, shared, and carried across generations and lands.
The UNITY Earth Ambassador Program continues to uplift youth leaders like Jizelle Juan who are preserving culture while leading change in their communities. This year’s cohort represents a vibrant network of Indigenous youth committed to environmental stewardship, cultural revitalization, and leadership development. Whether across oceans or at home, they are building connections, honoring traditions, and ensuring that the voices of Native youth are heard, respected, and carried forward into the future.