Alumni – UNITY, Inc.

“How many of you are the oldest child in your family?” asked UNITY’s Executive Director Mary Kim Titla to students at McNary Elementary school. Many raised their hands. “How many of you are the middle child?” More raised their hands. “How many of you are the babies of the family?” The last of the hands went up in the school gymnasium where all 135 students K-12 recently gathered to hear Titla’s presentation during Native American Heritage Month. Read More

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Last Updated: November 26, 2018

Former UNITY Co-President and UNITY Alumnus takes story to TEDx Talk stage

“When I began with UNITY at 13, it was at a time that I knew I had a story to share but I didn’t know how to share it. UNITY gave me the tools I needed to be comfortable speaking in front of a large crowd. When I served as UNITY Co-President, I gained more,” said Dan Terrio, who was featured as a TEDx Talk speaker earlier this month.
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Last Updated: August 31, 2018

UNITY Alumni Honored for Community Advocacy

Layha Spoonhunter received the “Eddie Wadda Alumni of the Year Award” at the 2018 National UNITY Conference in San Diego, California at the 42nd Annual UNITY Gala banquet, Sunday, July 8, for his dedication and leadership reaching his community and American Indian youth through service and advocacy. Read More

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Posted: August 23, 2018

Did you know? New York Yankee served as UNITY Trustee

The late Allie Reynolds, a Muscogee Creek, was known as one of the finest pitchers in the Major Leagues. He gained national prominence as a pitcher for the New York Yankees during their 1950s dynasty. Prior to that he played for the Cleveland Indians. In 1951, he received the Ray Hickok Award, which honored the top professional athlete of the year. He played with and against the likes of baseball legends Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Joe Garagiola, Sr. and Mickey Mantle. Read More

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Last Updated: August 23, 2018

Getting to Know UNITY’s Advisor of the Year

The 2018 National Conference culminated with the annual UNITY Gala where the Council of Trustees announced annual awards to those who have gone above and beyond in their service to Native youth. Among the award winners, Ashley Dillion from the San Carlos Apache Tribe was honored as the J.R. Cook Youth Advisor of the Year. UNITY interviewed Dillion to share her insight as an Advisor with others:

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Last Updated: August 15, 2018

Jr. Miss White Mountain Apache: A Legacy of Excellence in UNITY

The title of Jr Miss White Mountain Apache was created in 2006 but has been consistent since 2008. It was the first time our tribe would have a representative between the ages of 13 to 17. In 2008, there were 10 contestants who competed for the title, each young girl representing different parts of the White Mountain Apache reservation. Read More

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Last Updated: May 11, 2018

Nominations for Scholarship and Recognition Awards Now Open

Honor a deserving individual (including yourself!) by nominating them for one of the following awards:

JR Cook Youth Council Advisor of the Year
Eddie Wadda Alumni of the Year
Gold Cook $1,000 Scholarship (1 male and 1 female recipient)

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Last Updated: January 22, 2018

UNITY Alumnus Gives Back

In December 2017, UNITY alumnus James Ramos donated $2,500.00 to support UNITY Native Youth programs. “Our Tribal youth are our future. We must invest and believe in them,” said Ramos. “Through inspiring hope, we can change lives – I personally experienced this transformation while growing up on the reservation and hope it continues on through future generations,” he added. Read More

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Last Updated: December 12, 2017

UNITY Remembers Ashley Chinana

In Memoriam

Ashley Chinana, 23, a beautiful member of the Santee Sioux Tribe, served on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee (NUC EC) from 2012 through 2014 as the first Great Plains Region Representative. On behalf of UNITY, the NUC EC, Trustees, youth, and advisors, we were very saddened to hear of Ashley’s passing and offer sincerest condolences to her family, relatives, Santee Sioux community and her friends. Read More