The National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) will now have a “UNITY” Fire burning at its conferences for spiritual and community building purposes. NICOA liked the idea of the UNITY Fire so much they invited UNITY youth and others to take part in a ceremonial lighting of the fire to kick off its conference earlier […]
Thanks to funding provided by Freeport McMoran Inc., UNITY youth leaders, advisors and elders were able to experience the UNITY Fire ceremony and learn about fire keeping duties at the UNITY Midyear Conference held last February in Tempe, Arizona. The UNITY Fire program began in the 1990s at the National UNITY Conference. A Seneca elder, […]
Nearly all our ceremonial ways are centered around the use of air, water, plant life, animal life, and the use of fire. For this reason, a member of the 1995 Executive Committee of the National UNITY Council by the name of SleepyEye LaFromboise (Seneca/Dakota) asked one of his grandfathers, Warren Skye (Seneca) pictured, how UNITY […]
Photo: The late Grandpa Warren Skye, former Conference Elder, Fire Keeper Nearly all our ceremonial ways are centered around the use of air, water, pant life, animal life, and the use of fire. For this reason, a member of the 1995 Executive Committee of the National UNITY Council by the name of SleepyEye LaFromboise, Seneca/Dakota, […]
The Phoenix Indian Center is offering a wide range of spring opportunities for Native youth, families, elders and community members. Upcoming programs include cultural art workshops, Indigenous cooking demonstrations, family activities, suicide prevention training, career development services and ongoing community support. Pee-Posh Clay and Bead-Making Workshop Series Community members of all ages are invited to […]
On April 16, 2026, communities across the country are invited to greet the dawn in a moment of reflection, unity, and hope as United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) celebrates its 50th birthday. To begin this milestone day, UNITY will host a Sunrise Prayer at 6:00 a.m., welcoming Native youth, elders, families, and community […]
Helena Sorenson has been quietly making big things happen for the UNITY family for a long time. From turning complex travel logistics into smooth arrivals, calm check-ins, and “we’re good” moments when everyone else is stress-sweating. Her career started in service, including volunteer work with the American Red Cross, and grew into decades of travel […]
The Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute has announced its 2026 CNAY Fellows, a group of 24 Indigenous leaders ages 18 to 24 committed to creating positive change in their communities. Representing 36 Tribal Nations and nine states, the Fellows will participate in a culturally grounded curriculum focused on Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, […]
For Rhiannon Eaglespeaker, February was about using both cultural expression and community service to bring people together and support important causes. As a Rocky Mountain Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Rhiannon participated in events that raised awareness while continuing to give back to families in need. During the second weekend of February, […]
For Gabriel Loonsfoot of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, February was filled with opportunities to share culture, strengthen community relationships, and support youth leadership through song, dance, and tradition. As a Midwest Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Gabriel spent the month participating in gatherings that celebrated Indigenous culture across Michigan and […]
