This July, McKaylin Peters of the Menominee Nation embodied the spirit of leadership and community engagement through a month filled with cultural representation, athletic mentorship, and civic involvement. One of her proudest moments came at the UNITY Conference in San Diego, where the Menominee Youth Council attended for the very first time. Formed in February, […]
Featuring Earth Ambassador: Néepa Hyde (Shinnecock & Onondaga, Midwest Region) Fresh off the 2025 National UNITY Conference, Néepa Hyde wasted no time putting her leadership into action. Just one week later, she began working with Dream of Wild Health’s Garden Warriors program in Hugo, Minnesota—a life-changing experience that deepened her connection to land, language, and […]
Featuring Earth Ambassador: Marla Mesarina (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe / Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Community Connection Through Food and Farming This month, Midwest Earth Ambassador Marla Mesarina traveled to Hilo, Hawai‘i, as a proud member of the Next Generation Language Leaders Cohort, part of the National Native American Language Resource Center (N-NARLC). During her time […]
For Gabriel Loonsfoot (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians), summer 2025 has been a season of cultural pride, youth engagement, and leadership on both national and tribal stages. At the National UNITY Conference in San Diego, Gabriel connected with Native youth from across the country, representing the Midwest region and his community with honor. Soon after, […]
Gabriel Loonsfoot, a proud citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, is a dedicated young leader who blends cultural tradition with youth empowerment. Serving as the 2025–2026 Midwest Area Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Gabriel also leads in his local community as Chairman of the Pokagon Band Youth Council. In both […]
This fall, Native youth from across the country will unite for two powerful regional events designed to blend traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation science: the UNITY Earth Ambassadors (Midwest) Gathering in Michigan and the UNITY Earth Ambassadors (Southeast) Gathering in Florida. These gatherings are part of the UNITY Earth Ambassadors Stewardship Program, a 10-month […]
Nyah Neadeau, 23 Tribe: Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Youth Council: Red Lake Nation Youth Council Boozhoo! My name is Nyah Neadeau, and I proudly come from the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. I currently serve as the Chairperson of the Red Lake Nation Youth Council and work as a grant writer for […]
Zhaawan Martell, 17 Tribe: Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, Michigan Youth Council: Saginaw Chippewa Youth Council As a proud member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, I am currently serving my fourth year on the Tribal Youth Council. Being part of this council has deepened my connection to my community and strengthened my commitment to leadership […]
Gabriel Loonsfoot, 17 Tribe: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Youth Council: Pokagon Band Native Nations Youth Council Bozho, ndénwemagnek newij neshnabé mine shna jayék bémadzet. Déwégen Nene Ndezhnekas. Odawa, Ojibwé, Gigabé, mine Bodéwadmi ndowe. Pokegnék ndepndogwes. Mko Ndodem. Owashtanung ndozhbiye. Bowating ndede otopi. Hello, my relatives and all who walk in a good way. My […]
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 […]
