Executive Committee Western Region Representative Jalen Harvey attended the 36th Annual Gila River Youth Conference in Bapchule, Arizona in the month of July. The theme of the conference being, “Continuing to motivate & encourage through culture.” The conference consisted of guest speakers, a variety of workshops pertaining to life after high school, traditional games like […]
Executive Committee Midwest Representative Marla Mesarina attended the 2-day Intertribal Youth Summit hosted by The Coalition Planning Committee of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and their sponsors. Marla had the opportunity to participate in workshops and socialize with other youth and youth councils in the Midwest region. “I had an amazing time speaking […]
To highlight Leadership in the Southeastern Region, National UNITY Council Executive Committee Representative Thorn Grove interviewed individuals who positively impact their communities. Grove interviewed Reggie Brewer Jr. of the Lumbee Tribe. Mr. Brewer works with the Lumbee Boys and Girls Club and has been the Culture Coordinator for the past 13 years. Mr. Brewer teaches […]
Beginning on July 22, 2023, the Fort Hall Youth Council has made smudging an essential part of every Youth Council meeting, creating a sacred space that honors their spiritual wellness and cultural traditions. Before each gathering, a respected adult performs a smudging over the meeting building, cleansing the environment and preparing it for positive energy. […]
2022 Cultural Recognition Visual Arts Grammy Award co-recipient Norma Baker-Flying Horse of Red Berry Woman wowed the crowd at the 2023 National UNITY Conference once again! Norma was able to work with Native youth at the conference and help them fulfill their wish of modeling in a fashion show. This was a great opportunity for […]
Alitama Perkins, 17, Eastern Band Cherokee/Waccamaw/Mdewakanton/Equadorian, from Cherokee, North Carolina, shared her talents with UNITY‘s executive director Mary Kim Titla during a surprise visit to the area. Perkins, of the Deer Clan, is an accomplished Cherokee basket maker and seamstress specializing in ribbon skirts. Over the summer, she attended the National UNITY Conference in […]
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian officially welcomed UNITY Youth from across the Nation to Washington, D.C., with a UNITY Night at the Museum! One youth attendee shared that he “was nervous about coming to such a big city at first, but when we arrived, it felt good to be welcomed in such […]
Komatke Village, AZ – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris became the first sitting Vice President to visit the Gila River Indian Community when she spoke to a crowd of about 800 elected leaders, officials from Arizona tribes but took the time to meet with the UNITY affiliated-Four Sister Tribes’ youth councils from the Ak-Chin Youth […]
2023-24 National UNITY Council Executive Committee BIOGRAPHIES Jonathan Arakawa, UNITY Co-President Tribe: Lower Elwha Klallam, Washington Jonathan Arakawa is an enrolled member of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. He currently attends the Evergreen State College where he is studying for his Bachelor’s degree in Tribal Governance. He has served in various elected and appointed […]
UNITY Concludes Successful National Conference in Washington, D.C. Highlights included prominent speakers and workshops, as well as the election of officers for the National UNITY Council Executive Committee Mesa, Arizona – UNITY hosted a sold-out annual National Conference, June 29-July 3, at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., with more than 2,200 youth and adult attendees […]
