Weston Bird, a proud member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations, is quickly emerging as a strong voice for Native youth leadership. At just 16 years old, Weston is already making a significant impact as the 2025-2026 Great Plains Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee. Entering his senior year of high […]
This month, UNITY Earth Ambassador Codie Horse-Topetchy, Kiowa, Comanche, and Otoe-Missouria, spent a transformative week at the Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit hosted by the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative at the University of Arkansas Law School. Selected for the Animal Science track, she immersed herself in workshops and field trips that […]
Featured Photo by Karen LoneFight The sound of drums, the swirl of regalia, and the energy of the grand entry at the White Shield Powwow sparked something powerful in Weston Bird (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Tribes) this July. Surrounded by community, he stepped onto the arena for the first time, guided by experienced dancers who shared […]
This summer, UNITY Earth Ambassador Codie Horse-Topetchy, Kiowa, Comanche, and Otoe-Missouria, was honored to join the Indigenous Kinship Circle for Climate Futures research program at the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (SCCASC) in Norman, Oklahoma. Alongside other college students from the University of Oklahoma and the University of New Mexico, she began a two-year […]
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 […]
Ready to lead? The National UNITY Council (NUC) is accepting petitions for Area Representative and Co-President (Female and Male) positions on the Executive Committee. This is your opportunity to represent Native youth, uplift your region, and help shape the future of Indigenous leadership. Available Positions: Area Representatives from UNITY’s ten regions Co-Presidents (must be former […]
Are you a Native youth artist with a passion for design? Here’s your chance to showcase your creativity! UNITY is inviting Native youth ages 14 to 24 to submit their original artwork for the 2025 National UNITY Conference Logo Contest. The winning design will be used on promotional materials for this summer’s National UNITY Conference […]
The National UNITY Council Executive Committee (NUC EC) is thrilled to announce our spring regional meetups, designed to unite youth councils and Native youth from across the country. These virtual gatherings welcome UNITY-affiliated youth councils and their supporters to reconnect, collaborate on shared goals, and develop impactful project plans. Our regional meetups are a great […]
During the 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference, the National UNITY Council (NUC) Executive Committee (EC) was a team of mentors behind an unforgettable gathering of Native youth leaders. With unwavering dedication, they cultivated an environment where young people could learn, heal, and grow as community leaders. From facilitating healing circles to creating spaces for cultural exchange […]
Excitement was building as the Midyear conference drew near. In Downtown Phoenix, Arizona more than 600 Native youth would gather for a weekend of storytelling, cultural sharing and creativity. In UNITY fashion there were many pre-conference activities planned for those that arrived early, including the Healing Circle. There were more than 60 youth that participated […]
