On Friday, June 27, over 3,000 Native youth, advisors, and community leaders gathered in San Diego with culture sharing at the National UNITY Conference: the Lighting of the UNITY Fire. This spiritual gathering marked the official start of the conference’s main sessions and reminded everyone present that this event is more than a gathering—it is […]
Every year, the National UNITY Conference elevates the importance of higher education by creating spaces for Native youth to explore college and career pathways in culturally relevant ways. This year, the partnership between UNITY and San Diego State University (SDSU) brought college tours and on-campus involvement to new heights, showcasing what’s possible when Native students, […]
The 2025 National UNITY Conference, in San Diego, CA, began with a powerful call to action during Native Youth Empowerment Night, where the National UNITY Council (NUC) Executive Committee welcomed peers from across the country into a greater collective of Indigenous leadership. Far beyond an icebreaker session, this evening exemplified the core values of the […]
Jamie Crowe, 19 Tribe: Pueblo of Tesuque Youth Council: Tesuque Pueblo Youth Coalition Jamie Crowe, a proud member of the Pueblo of Tesuque, is a 22-year-old student at the University of New Mexico where she studies Population Health and minors in Maternal and Child Health. With aspirations to pursue a master’s degree in Public Health […]
Ethan Hedgepeth, 19 Tribe: Cherokee, Tuscarora Youth Council: NCNAYO Ethan Hedgepeth, a proud member of the Cherokee and Tuscarora Nations, is a dedicated student currently attending East Carolina University. He is pursuing a degree in exercise science with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. Passionate about helping others heal and thrive, Ethan’s career path […]
Rhiannon Eaglespeaker, 18 Tribe: Blackfoot, Kiowa Youth Council: BTSC(Billings student tribal council) Rhiannon EagleSpeaker/WhiteShield, 18, is a proud member of the Kainai (Blackfoot/Blood), Kiowa, Arapaho, and Southern Cheyenne tribes. Enrolled with the Blackfoot in both the United States and Canada, Rhiannon was born in Browning, Montana, and holds dual citizenship in both countries. She is […]
Liliana Mars, 18 Tribe: Narragansett, Navajo Individual Member Liliana Mars, 18, is an enrolled member of the Narragansett Tribe of Charlestown, Rhode Island, and a descendant of the Navajo Nation of New Mexico. As she prepares to graduate from Acellus Academy with a 4.0 GPA, Liliana looks ahead to the fall, where she will begin […]
Weston Bird, 16 Tribe: MHA Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Youth Council: MHA Youth Leadership Council Weston Louis Bird, a 16-year-old student from White Shield, North Dakota, is a proud member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) Nation. Currently a junior at White Shield High School, Weston has earned high honors through dedication to his academics […]
Jovi Williams, 20 Tribe: White Mountain Apache Tribe Individual Member Jovi, a 20-year-old member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, resides in the community of Dishchii’bikoh on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. Born from the Dzil T’adn (Mountain Based People) to the Sai Yagaidn (White Sands People), Jovi has emerged as a dedicated […]
Jizelle Juan, 18 Tribe: Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Youth Council: Young River Peoples Council Jizelle Juan, an 18-year-old from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, is a passionate advocate for Indigenous youth and a rising leader in both her tribal nation and professional aspirations. A recent graduate of Mountain View High School and the […]
