UNITY

Boozhoo! UNITY’s Earth Ambassador Shares Her Experience at AISES 2025

[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 […]

UNITY Earth Ambassador Jada Allen Shares Research and Builds Connections at the 2025 AISES National Conference

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]UNITY Earth Ambassador Jada Allen had an incredible time at the 2025 AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota! Attending as part of the AISES Firewall Cybersecurity Cohort, she finally got to meet her cohort members, mentors and mentees alike, from all across the country in person. Together, they shared […]

Teaching, Tradition, and Togetherness: Tia Butler Strengthens Community Through Cultural Connection

Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), Northwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, dedicated her time and heart to empowering others through education, culture, and connection. From teaching local youth to celebrating intertribal gatherings, Tia’s month reflected her deep commitment to serving her people and strengthening the ties that unite Native […]

Leading with Culture and Courage: Amaya Escalante Shows Up for Western Region Youth

When culture, celebration, and youth leadership collide, you get a month like this. In October, Amaya Escalante of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe stepped into powerful spaces across Arizona—honoring tradition, uplifting Native youth, and strengthening community ties as a Western Region Executive Committee member of the National UNITY Council. October began with the 41st Annual Native […]

Seeds of Connection: Tia Butler Cultivates Community Through Culture and Sustainability

As fall settled over the Northwest, Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), Northwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, embraced a season of growth — literally and spiritually. Her autumn months were filled with community, culture, and sustainability as she joined gatherings, powwows, and workshops centered on strengthening Indigenous food sovereignty […]

Learning, Leading, and Staying Connected: Ethan Hedgepeth Strengthens His Roots in the Southeast

The humid Florida air buzzed with the sounds of drums and voices as Native youth gathered among the swamps of Fort Lauderdale. For Southeast Executive Committee Member Ethan Hedgepeth (Cherokee & Tuscarora), stepping into the UNITY Earth Ambassador Gathering was more than an opportunity to meet other leaders—it was a chance to witness the sacred […]

Walking with Strength: Amaya Escalante Honors Yoeme Traditions and Future Generations

As the fall season unfolded across Arizona, Amaya Escalante of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Western Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, reflected on a time filled with meaning, community, and culture. For the Pascua Yaqui people, this season marks the celebration of Federal Recognition, a cornerstone of identity and sovereignty — and […]

Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow: UNITY Earth Ambassadors Gather in the Southeast

This past week, UNITY Earth Ambassadors gathered in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, for a transformative experience that blended Traditional Ecological Knowledge with modern conservation science. Together, Native youth explored how Indigenous values and contemporary strategies can work hand-in-hand to guide the protection and restoration of our homelands. Opening Day – Platforms for Environmental Justice The gathering […]

From Rivers to Roots: Tia Butler Uplifts Culture and Community in the Northwest

When rivers flow free, so too do the songs, teachings, and celebrations of the people who call them home. This fall, UNITY Northwest Region Representative Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians) embraced a season of cultural renewal and community building. From paddling alongside Tribal Nations during Canoe Journey to digging camas and learning about […]

Learning From the Land: Marla Mesarina Embraces Teachings of Elders and the Earth

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 […]