This fall, Alina Sanchez (Miwok – Wilton Rancheria), Pacific Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, showed that leadership doesn’t always happen on a big stage — sometimes it happens through everyday acts of connection, service, and joy. From running a school snack shack to sharing stories with her Native Sisters Circle and […]
United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association. Chairman Stevens was not only a respected national leader and advocate for Tribal sovereignty, he was also a steadfast supporter of Native youth and the future generations of Indian Country. He understood that the […]
This fall, Watson Whitford (Chippewa Cree/Navajo), Male Co-President of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, journeyed north on a path rooted in prayer, culture, and leadership. His travels took him from Bozeman, Montana, to Hinton, Alberta, Canada, where he attended an Anishinaabe ceremony that hadn’t been practiced among his Chippewa Cree people of Rocky Boy for […]
When the drums echoed across the Northern Cheyenne Reservation this fall, Rhiannon Eaglespeaker (Blackfoot and Kiowa), Rocky Mountain Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, was there not just to dance — but to teach, to give back, and to keep her culture alive through every step. Rhiannon balanced service and cultural preservation, […]
As fall settled over the Northwest, Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), Northwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, embraced a season of growth — literally and spiritually. Her autumn months were filled with community, culture, and sustainability as she joined gatherings, powwows, and workshops centered on strengthening Indigenous food sovereignty […]
The humid Florida air buzzed with the sounds of drums and voices as Native youth gathered among the swamps of Fort Lauderdale. For Southeast Executive Committee Member Ethan Hedgepeth (Cherokee & Tuscarora), stepping into the UNITY Earth Ambassador Gathering was more than an opportunity to meet other leaders—it was a chance to witness the sacred […]
This fall, Pacific Region Representative Alina Sanchez (Miwok – Wilton Rancheria) has been busy creating spaces where Native youth and community voices can thrive. From student government leadership to cultural representation and wellness advocacy, Alina continues to show how youth leaders can weave service, identity, and collaboration together to create lasting impact. On September 19, […]
As the fall season unfolded across Arizona, Amaya Escalante of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Western Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, reflected on a time filled with meaning, community, and culture. For the Pascua Yaqui people, this season marks the celebration of Federal Recognition, a cornerstone of identity and sovereignty — and […]
For Pacific Region Representative Alina Sanchez (Miwok – Wilton Rancheria), leadership this fall has meant stepping into diverse spaces—from the school campus to the baseball field—to uplift voices, build community, and represent her culture with pride. Whether interviewing new student leaders, advocating for social justice, or representing her tribe at a Native American Night, Alina […]
As summer drew to a close, Co-President of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Mazie Countryman (Northern Arapaho, Shoshone, Navajo), still found time to serve her community while preparing for the school year. In Fort Hall, Mazie and her youth council helped organize the parade for the 2025 Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival, a celebration that brought […]
