Gabriella Nakai, a proud citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Navajo Nation, understands that true leadership means honoring the past, serving the present, and creating pathways for future generations. As a UNITY 25 Under 25 awardee, Gabriella spent the fall and winter seasons demonstrating servant leadership that uplifts Indigenous communities across the […]
On a crisp winter evening, the ACIR InnerVoice Youth Council embraced the holiday spirit by supporting the annual Tribal Christmas Dinner at the Polk County Commerce Center, where over 100 elders, families, and community members gathered to celebrate, connect, and reflect. The dinner has long been a cherished tradition, bringing together generations to honor the […]
United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY), in partnership with the Center for Native American Youth and the White House, co-hosted the 2024 White House Tribal Youth Forum in Washington, D.C. The event, held at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building, brought together nearly 150 Native youth leaders nationwide to engage in […]
Uplifting Youth through Servant Leadership Sophie Landin, an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (MHA Nation), exemplifies servant leadership as the Great Plains Regional Representative on UNITY’s Executive Committee. In her community of White Shield, North Dakota, Sophie focuses on empowering Native youth and celebrating culture. She works closely with elders and […]
O’Shay Birdinground Empowers Indigenous Youth to Lead “This was incredible to see just how many Indigenous youth can make an impact,” shared O’Shay Birdinground, a proud member of the Apsaalooke (Crow) Nation and a Rocky Mountain Regional Representative on UNITY’s Executive Committee. O’Shay’s inspiring leadership was on full display as he participated in the historic […]
This winter, members of the Cheyenne & Arapaho Youth Council (CAYC) launched a heartwarming initiative aimed at supporting elders across their tribal communities. Titled “Share the Warmth: Blankets for Elders,” the project brought together 40 youth who organized a blanket drive that not only met a practical need but also strengthened intergenerational bonds and uplifted […]
Watson Whitford: Elevating Voices and Inspiring Hope for Native Youth “The fate of the world rests in the hands of the youth across the world, and because of that, we have hope,” said Watson Whitford, UNITY Male Co-President and a proud Chippewa Cree and Navajo Nations member. In November, Watson’s leadership reached new heights as […]
On December 1, 2024, the Comanche Nation IAMNDN Youth Council participated in the annual Comanche Nation Elders Day, held at the Great Plains Coliseum in Lawton, Oklahoma. With an attendance of over 450 elders and community members, this special event was a heartfelt celebration of gratitude and respect for the wisdom and legacy of Comanche […]
Following the annual Red Lake Holiday Parade, the Red Lake Nation Youth Council brought the community together for an evening of celebration, connection, and culture by hosting the 2024 Holiday Round Dance. With over 100 attendees, the event promoted social wellness through laughter, music, and shared traditions. The round dance welcomed community members of all […]
Voices of Change: Kaytlynn Johnston Inspires Native Youth Leadership “This work is vital to me. It’s given me new opportunities and new friendships,” shared Kaytlynn Johnston, UNITY’s Female Co-President and a proud member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe of California. Kaytlynn’s servant leadership shone brightly in November as the Master of Ceremony at the 2024 […]
