The early morning air was still and sacred in southern Colorado as the sun began to rise over the ancestral lands of the Kiowa and Southern Cheyenne people. For Earth Ambassador Codie Horse-Topetchy, camping out with relatives before a buffalo hunt was not just a return to tradition—it was a step into leadership grounded in […]
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, […]
Mahiya Ramirez Inspires Awareness in Her Community When Muscogee (Creek) Earth Ambassador Mahiya Ramirez stepped into her final semester at the University of Central Oklahoma, she did more than open textbooks—she opened hearts and minds. Her exhibit, Saltwater Sovereignty, now on display on campus, bridges art and activism, reminding viewers that water is not just […]
This month, Jizelle Juan (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community) demonstrated how culture, service, and community wellness are deeply intertwined in her leadership journey as an Earth Ambassador. From cultural practices to civic engagement, she continues to embody stewardship of both the land and her people. “Every Saturday throughout the month, I continued to gather willow […]
The month of August brought both transition and triumph for Navajo Earth Ambassador Vydell Willie. Between packing for his first semester of college and presenting at local chapter meetings, Vydell discovered that true leadership often means learning to balance growth in both personal and community life. Early in the month, he introduced himself as a […]
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 […]
Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi took part in a panel titled What is Food? at the Arizona Good Food Forum. Alongside intergenerational Indigenous leaders—including her grandfather, Robert Valencia—she discussed food as relationship, memory, and a vision for future generations. Sharing the stage with her grandfather was especially meaningful, planting seeds of inspiration for her ongoing commitment […]
After ten weeks of dedicated work, Pascua Yaqui Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi concluded her internship with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals this August. Partnering with the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians and the University of California Cooperative Extension, she contributed to a climate change and natural resources needs assessment. Her final presentation to the […]
