UNITY

Kanik Deschene Expands Community Impact Through Service, Health Advocacy, and Youth Leadership

Kanik Deschene is demonstrating how youth leadership can create meaningful impact both locally and globally through volunteer service, public health education, and community-building initiatives. Representing the Northeast UNITY Region and connected with Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, Kanik has dedicated significant time to service projects that support wellness, youth engagement, and community care. One of […]

Kaylee Evans Leads Cultural Education and Community Advocacy Through Student-Led Initiatives

Kaylee Evans is creating meaningful opportunities for cultural education, advocacy, and student leadership through her involvement in Native student initiatives in the Northeast Region. Based in North Carolina and actively engaged at Columbia University, Kaylee has helped organize events that center Native visibility, wellness, cultural expression, and community connection for Indigenous students and allies. One […]

Calling All Native Youth: Apply for UNITY’s First Annual Youth of the Year Award

UNITY is excited to announce the launch of its first annual Youth of the Year Award, recognizing one outstanding Native youth for their leadership, service, and positive impact in their community. This new award celebrates Native youth who are stepping up, giving back, and making a difference through community service. Whether you have volunteered with your […]

AICH Youth Council Strengthens Native Community and Cultural Connection in New York City

The American Indian Community House Youth Council is creating meaningful spaces for Native and Indigenous youth leadership in the Northeast UNITY Region. Based in New York City and sponsored by the American Indian Community House, the Youth Council continues to uplift Native youth through cultural education, community care, advocacy, and peer support in an urban […]

Dancing Back to Herself: Liliana Mars Leads Through Healing, Culture, and Youth Connection

After a difficult season for her family, Liliana Mars stepped back into community with courage, care, and honesty. Her April was filled with powwows, Earth Day planning, regional youth outreach, and the joy of welcoming her baby sister home from the hospital. As a Northeast Executive Committee member, Liliana showed that Native youth leadership is […]

Returning Home, Growing Forward: Néepa Hyde Grounds Her Leadership in Culture and Community

This October, Néepa Hyde found herself returning home to the Shinnecock Reservation, where culture, community, and purpose came together in a powerful way. Attending the annual Oyster Festival, she experienced more than just a gathering—it was a reminder of identity, connection, and responsibility. “This is why every chance to come home is a blessing,” she […]

From Classroom to Community: Néepa Hyde Balances Growth, Culture, and Food Sovereignty

This September, Néepa Hyde stepped into a new chapter as she began her 10th grade year—taking on the challenge of advanced coursework while staying committed to her role as a UNITY Earth Ambassador. Balancing academics and leadership wasn’t easy, but Néepa approached the transition with determination and purpose. “This September was truly an adjustment… I […]

Restore the Balance: Native Youth Leading Healing and Change

The National UNITY Council has taken a unified stand through its resolution, “Restore the Balance: Healing Trauma & Ending Violence in Native Communities,” reflecting the voices of Native youth nationwide and outlining a path rooted in healing, cultural strength, and action. Adopted at the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference, the resolution highlights urgent challenges facing Native youth, including […]

Healing Through Dance and Leadership Across The East Coast

For Liliana Mars, February was a reminder that leadership and personal wellness often go hand in hand. As the Northeast Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Liliana spent the month reconnecting with culture, strengthening relationships, and supporting youth councils across the region. At the start of the month, Liliana traveled to Hollywood, Florida, […]

Building the Next Generation of Leaders: Liliana Mars at UNITY Midyear

Behind every powerful youth gathering is a team of leaders working tirelessly to make it happen. This January, Liliana Mars of the Narragansett and Navajo Nations dedicated much of her time to preparing for one of UNITY’s most impactful events of the year—the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference. As a Northeast Executive Committee Member of the […]