Featured Photo by Karen LoneFight The sound of drums, the swirl of regalia, and the energy of the grand entry at the White Shield Powwow sparked something powerful in Weston Bird (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Tribes) this July. Surrounded by community, he stepped onto the arena for the first time, guided by experienced dancers who shared […]
Liliana Mars, a proud Narragansett and Navajo young leader, is a shining example of how cultural pride and service can come together to create powerful change. With a heart rooted in advocacy, wellness, and cultural preservation, Liliana recently graduated with honors and a 4.0 GPA from Acellus Academy. This fall, she will begin a new […]
Featuring Earth Ambassador: Mahiya Ramirez (Muscogee – Southern Plains Region) This past month, Mahiya Ramirez stood on the sands of La Jolla Shores, camera in hand, heart wide open. As part of UNITY’s Earth Ambassador Pre-Conference Training and the 2025 National UNITY Conference in San Diego, Mahiya joined fellow Indigenous youth in a cultural exchange […]
Featuring Earth Ambassador: Vydell Willie (Navajo Nation, Western Region) Community Events: Honoring Legacy Through Celebration This July, UNITY Earth Ambassador Vydell Willie found himself in the heart of community celebrations and civic milestones across the Navajo Nation. He began the month by attending the Day 3 Summer Council Session, where his uncle’s Country Western band […]
Jamie Crowe: Championing Health Equity and Cultural Revitalization for Native Youth Jamie Crowe, a proud member of the Pueblo of Tesuque, stands as a committed advocate for the health and well-being of Native communities. Serving her second term as the Southwest Regional Representative and Vice President on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Jamie brings […]
This summer, UNITY Earth Ambassador Codie Horse-Topetchy, Kiowa, Comanche, and Otoe-Missouria, was honored to join the Indigenous Kinship Circle for Climate Futures research program at the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (SCCASC) in Norman, Oklahoma. Alongside other college students from the University of Oklahoma and the University of New Mexico, she began a two-year […]
For Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), the weeks following the 2025 National UNITY Conference have been a season of connection, tradition, and advocacy. Since returning home, she has been fully immersed in community life — “These activities were so meaningful, as they were an outlet to not only connect with community members, but […]
For Victor Organista (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), service isn’t just a duty — it’s a way of life. As a Program Assistant at the Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Victor spent his summer investing in the next generation, from guiding elementary school field trips to creating spaces for community […]
For Alina Sanchez (Miwok – Wilton Rancheria), summer 2025 was a season of powerful advocacy. Fresh from the June 26–July 1 National UNITY Conference in San Diego, where she attended workshops and regional caucuses with Native youth leaders, Alina stepped confidently into her new role as Pacific Region Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive […]
Gabriel Loonsfoot, a proud citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, is a dedicated young leader who blends cultural tradition with youth empowerment. Serving as the 2025–2026 Midwest Area Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Gabriel also leads in his local community as Chairman of the Pokagon Band Youth Council. In both […]
