When more than 100 Indigenous youth gathered in Utah for a weekend centered on faith, culture, education, and the future, Mazie Countryman stepped into the room with a message rooted in experience: Native youth leadership matters now. As a National UNITY Council Executive Committee Co-President, Mazie helped young people see that their voices, choices, and […]
Rhiannon Eaglespeaker’s month was filled with movement, connection, and cultural pride. From speaking with youth councils across Montana and North Dakota to attending the Denver March Powwow and the Montana State University American Indian Council Powwow in Bozeman, she used each gathering as an opportunity to represent UNITY, build relationships, and remind Native youth that […]
For Tia Butler, March was a month of healing, connection, and purpose. Through round dances, youth wellness spaces, environmental law conversations, and Tribal food sovereignty work, Tia continued to grow as a Native youth leader rooted in community care and future-focused advocacy. Her leadership shows how healing and justice can move together—through ceremony, relationships, education, […]
For Weston, leadership this month meant learning with his hands, listening with respect, and stepping out of his comfort zone to speak for something bigger than himself. From participating in a buffalo harvest with students across the MHA Nation to representing UNITY at the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, Weston’s month reflected the power […]
Mazie Countryman’s month was rooted in movement—dancing at powwows, supporting youth council fundraising, and helping Native youth prepare for a national gathering that will bring thousands of young leaders together. As a National UNITY Council Co-President, Mazie’s leadership reflected both community service and cultural connection, showing how Native youth leaders can help their peers feel […]
From traditional plant teachings to Indigenous women’s leadership workshops, Amaya Escalante spent March pouring into her community with purpose, pride, and a deep commitment to Native youth. As a young leader from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Amaya’s month reflected what servant leadership looks like in action—teaching, learning, encouraging, and helping carry forward the cultural knowledge […]
Watson Whitford’s month was filled with the kind of leadership that moves between planning tables, classrooms, basketball courts, powwow grounds, and international youth spaces. As the National UNITY Council Executive Committee Male Co-President, Watson continued to show that servant leadership is not limited to one place. It travels, connects, teaches, listens, and invites others into […]
Leadership is not always about public events, meetings, or packed community calendars. Sometimes, leadership begins at home, in prayer, in tradition, and in the quiet preparation needed to keep growing. For Jamie Crowe, a Pueblo of Tesuque youth leader and Southwest Executive Committee Member, March was a time of renewal, reflection, and cultural grounding. Her […]
Leadership is not always measured by the loudest moment in the room. Sometimes, it is found in steady attendance, respectful advocacy, cultural participation, and the quiet commitment to keep showing up. For Gabriel Loonsfoot, a Pokagon Band of Potawatomi youth leader and Midwest Executive Committee Member, this month reflected a powerful kind of servant leadership: […]
For Ethan Hedgepeth, leadership is about showing up where Native youth and families are already gathered and making sure they know they are part of something bigger. Through campus outreach and community conversations, Ethan used his voice to share UNITY’s mission, connect with youth and parents, and strengthen pathways for Native youth leadership in the […]
