Gabriel Loonsfoot (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians), Midwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, carried his leadership through a powerful blend of service, ceremony, and song. From spiritual renewal to youth engagement, Gabriel spent the month nurturing both the physical and cultural landscape of his community — proving that leadership is as […]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Boozhoo, my name is Marla Mesarina and I am a sophomore at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. I attended the 2025 AISES Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My experience during this conference was both exhilarating and fulfilling. I attended this conference with my AISES chapter at my University! I am not officially affiliated with […]
This fall, Gabriel Loonsfoot (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi), Midwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, embodied the heart of service through cultural preservation, youth leadership, and community restoration. From rebuilding sweat lodges to leading his youth drum group across state lines, Gabriel’s actions reflected a deep commitment to his people, his culture, […]
The sweetness of fresh berries and the wisdom of elders shaped a month of growth for Earth Ambassador Marla Mesarina of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. August became a season of firsts—her first time berry picking, her first teaching video, and her first regional gathering as part of the Earth […]
Laughter, music, and the smell of good food filled the air as youth and elders gathered for a circus-themed luncheon hosted by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Youth Council. At the heart of it all was Gabriel Loonsfoot, Midwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, who sees leadership not as a title, […]
The sound of jingles echoed through the Woodland Bowl as Menominee Earth Ambassador McKaylin Peters stepped out in her new regalia—dresses she had sewn herself with care. Dancing old style jingle at her tribe’s powwow, she felt grounded in tradition and proud of the work of her own hands. Her family’s drum, the Smokeytown Singers, […]
The scent of smoke hung heavy in Minnesota this August, a reminder of how climate change impacts every corner of our lives—even in the cornfields, where young leaders bent to pull weeds. For Shinnecock and Onondaga Earth Ambassador Néepa Hyde, the month was her busiest yet, filled with hands-on lessons in food sovereignty, cultural teachings, […]
Native youth from across the Midwest gathered with UNITY Earth Ambassadors for an intensive training on environmental leadership. Hosted by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the program blended traditional knowledge, scientific approaches, and youth-driven advocacy to prepare participants as leaders for climate action. Some youth drove over 11 hours to attend […]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The UNITY Earth Ambassadors (Midwest) Gathering, held August 21–24, at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, brought Native youth together for an immersive training rooted in the stewardship of the four elements—Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water. Hosted by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the event combined cultural traditions, environmental science, and […]
At the National UNITY Council (NUC) Business Meeting on June 30, 2025, during the National UNITY Conference in San Diego, California, more than 130 Native youth leaders representing over 60 affiliated youth councils across 23 states gathered to identify the most urgent challenges facing their peers and communities. Guided by both regional discussions and survey […]
