For Ethan Hedgepeth, leadership is about showing up where Native youth and families are already gathered and making sure they know they are part of something bigger. Through campus outreach and community conversations, Ethan used his voice to share UNITY’s mission, connect with youth and parents, and strengthen pathways for Native youth leadership in the Southeast region.
Ethan attended an East Carolina Native American Organization meeting, where he shared information about UNITY and the opportunities available through the National UNITY Council. ECNAO provides space for Native and non-Native students to come together in community on East Carolina University’s campus, making it a meaningful place to introduce students to UNITY’s national network.
By speaking directly with students, Ethan helped connect campus-based Native youth and young adults to leadership development, service, advocacy, and ways to stay engaged beyond their local community.
Ethan also attended the BraveNation Powwow and Gathering at UNC Pembroke, where he spoke with Native youth and their parents about UNITY. The 2026 BraveNation Powwow and Gathering was hosted at the Jones Athletic Center on UNC Pembroke’s campus, with grand entry scheduled at noon and the event open to the public.
UNC Pembroke described the week surrounding the gathering as a celebration showcasing the history, culture, accomplishments, and contributions of American Indian people. In that setting, Ethan’s outreach helped connect culture, education, and leadership by sharing how Native youth can get involved with UNITY and the National UNITY Council.
Ethan’s report highlights the power of simple but meaningful conversations. By talking with youth and parents, he helped make UNITY feel accessible and personal. That kind of outreach matters because families often play a key role in encouraging youth to attend events, join councils, and step into leadership opportunities.
Reflecting on the experience, Ethan shared, “It made me happy to talk to the youth and parents about an organization that I am passionate about, and that they are interested in it too.”
His words show the heart behind his service. Ethan is not just sharing information. He is sharing something he believes in, and that passion can inspire other Native youth to see themselves as leaders, advocates, and changemakers.
Ethan’s outreach reflects the National UNITY Council’s mission to represent the UNITY Network with a positive and unified voice. Through events like student organization meetings and powwows, Native youth leaders have opportunities to build relationships, share resources, and encourage one another to stay connected to culture and community.
The National UNITY Council continues to uplift Native youth, Native Hawaiian youth, and Alaskan Native youth by creating spaces where young leaders can study common concerns, develop leadership skills, and take action in their communities. Ethan’s work is a strong example of how regional leaders help carry that mission into schools, campuses, cultural gatherings, and family spaces across Indian Country.
As a Southeast Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Ethan Hedgepeth plays an important role in representing youth voices from his region while helping strengthen UNITY’s national network. Through his campus and powwow outreach, he is helping Native youth and families learn that UNITY is more than an organization. It is a community of young leaders working together to inspire hope and change lives for the better.