In 1994 at the National UNITY Conference in Tampa Bay, Florida, Bea Shawanda, Odawa/Pottowottomi from Wikwemikong Manitoulin Island, Ontario and her son Niso presented UNITY with a drum. A great gift from our north country, it was said that this drum is for everyone. All who can and want to sing were invited to have a seat at this drum. “Wherever it may be, the UNITY Drum is considered as an open drum, no matter what tribe or gender. All tribes have their own way and protocols and we have to respect each and everyone,” said Junior Sierra, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and a UNITY drum keeper.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Posted: September 10, 2019
Ak-Chin Youth Council Wellness Warriors
National UNITY Council Representatives Xendryk Silas-Antone and Marie Antone share how Ak-Chin Youth Council helped promote Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Social Wellness throughout the year. Youth councils can join the national Wellness Warriors movement by to share traditional wellness teachings.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: September 10, 2019
Zombies, Basketball & Gardening: California youth approaches to Wellness
Native youth from the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians joined the national UNITY Wellness Warriors movement by sharing traditional wellness teachings in creative ways. Learn more on how this Youth Council paired substance abuse awareness with community service projects to address community health.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: September 10, 2019
Klamath Tribes Youth Council Wellness Warriors
The Klamath Tribes Youth Council are celebrating their cultural wellness by hosting year round events. These Oregon Native youth have taken the UNITY Wellness Warriors Challenge to new heights by hosting over six events within the past 12 months in the UNITY Northwestern Region. As part of the Wellness Warriors program, UNITY Youth Councils are promoting Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Social Wellness.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: September 10, 2019
Yoyoscut Resilient Youth: Rocky Mountain Wellness Warriors
Over a hundred community members attended the Yoyoscut Resilient Youth Council’s cultural wellness event where Sqʷllumt – Coyote Stories were told in the Usšneɫxʷ – Longhouse, St. Ignatius, Montana. During this Wellness Warriors event, a local elder passed on stories to youth. The youth council reported that it was a “meaningful experience for the youth to learn our history and for youth to share their oral histories with others.” The youth council was able to not only develop their own spiritual wellness, but engaged generations in being connected through the youth driven community event.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: August 30, 2019
Team-building training at the bottom of the Grand Canyon
“Don’t step on a landmine!,” said Mary Kim Titla, UNITY’s executive director. She was speaking to educators and staff at the Havasupai Elementary School participating in a team-building exercise. The landmine exercise involved an obstacle course ridden with imaginary land mines (plastic cups). Teams of two people, one blindfolded, were instructed to navigate their way through the course without hitting a land mine. The exercise is designed to build communication skills and trust.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: August 30, 2019
Video Contest Winners showcased during Wellness Warrior Summit
To celebrate the third year of UNITY Wellness Warriors, three winning Youth Councils were showcased during the UNITY Wellness Warrior Summit. They also received three complimentary registrations to attend the National Conference through the Kellogg Scholarship. Each of them created a video showcasing what wellness means to them in their communities. The UNITY Wellness Warriors program, in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, hosted this day as the culmination and sharing of Wellness Warrior projects and youth council activities.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: August 7, 2019
Earth Ambassadors Florida Environmental Excursion
Kayaking and cleaning a river wasn’t on the agenda during the 2019 National UNITY Conference but that’s exactly what the UNITY Earth Ambassadors (EA) did while in Orlando, Florida. The group snuck away on Saturday, July 6 to join members of the Central Florida Recon at the Econlockhatchee River for a cleaning expedition using kayaks, buckets and trash grabbers. This was coordinated by Frank Weaver, Environmental Protector and Filmmaker. The group recovered 54 pounds of trash, 6 tires, mattress springs and 5 fish hooks. The Central Florida Recon team were given gifts from the EAs in appreciation.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: August 13, 2019
UNITY Advisory Cohort empowers Native youth voice
Get to know the newest UNITY Peer Guide Cohort and learn more about their passion for advocating for “non-traditional” Native youth leadership. UNITY has recruited this diverse group of youth mentors, to design and facilitate six regional trainings across the nation. These trainings will empower Native youth to speak out about critical aspects of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention efforts within their home communities.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: June 26, 2019
National UNITY Council Network in Action
As the largest Native youth gathering in the nation quickly approaches, thousands of youth groups and tribal organizations are buzzing with anticipation. Native Youth describe the UNITY Conference as an “life changing experience” that empowers them to action when they return home. As part of the National UNITY Council’s annual membership renewal youth councils submit their Annual Reports outlining how they have impacted their local community through service projects.
Read More
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: June 30, 2019
UNITY Drum: How it all began
In 1994 at the National UNITY Conference in Tampa Bay, Florida, Bea Shawanda, Odawa/Pottowottomi from Wikwemikong Manitoulin Island, Ontario and her son Niso presented UNITY with a drum. A great gift from our north country, it was said that this drum is for everyone. All who can and want to sing were invited to have a seat at this drum. “Wherever it may be, the UNITY Drum is considered as an open drum, no matter what tribe or gender. All tribes have their own way and protocols and we have to respect each and everyone,” said Junior Sierra, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and a UNITY drum keeper.
Read More
UNITY Commemorative Pendleton Blanket
Receive this special gift for your donation to UNITY! Find out how!
Shop Amazon
There is a NEW way to give to UNITY! Shop at Amazon through UNITY’s AmazonSmile site, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases! Start your shopping by CLICKING HERE! And tell a friend!
Like Us on Facebook!