This fall, Watson Whitford (Chippewa Cree/Navajo), Male Co-President of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, journeyed north on a path rooted in prayer, culture, and leadership. His travels took him from Bozeman, Montana, to Hinton, Alberta, Canada, where he attended an Anishinaabe ceremony that hadn’t been practiced among his Chippewa Cree people of Rocky Boy for […]
When the drums echoed across the Northern Cheyenne Reservation this fall, Rhiannon Eaglespeaker (Blackfoot and Kiowa), Rocky Mountain Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, was there not just to dance — but to teach, to give back, and to keep her culture alive through every step. Rhiannon balanced service and cultural preservation, […]
In Billings, Montana, young leaders gathered for the Rocky Mountain Leaders Conference, a space dedicated to empowering Native youth across the state to step forward and claim their voices. Among them was Rhiannon Eaglespeaker (Blackfoot/Kiowa), the newly elected Rocky Mountain Regional Representative for the National UNITY Council. For Rhiannon, the event was not just about […]
For Watson Whitford (Chippewa Cree/Navajo), service and leadership are not just roles— they are a way of life. As one of the Co-Presidents of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Watson balances the demands of university life with the responsibility of representing Native youth on a national stage. This August, his journey carried him from […]
At the National UNITY Council (NUC) Business Meeting on June 30, 2025, during the National UNITY Conference in San Diego, California, more than 130 Native youth leaders representing over 60 affiliated youth councils across 23 states gathered to identify the most urgent challenges facing their peers and communities. Guided by both regional discussions and survey […]
Watson Whitford, known by his spiritual name Wapanatak, meaning “Morning Star,” stands as a beacon of cultural pride, environmental stewardship, and youth leadership. Representing the Diné Nation and enrolled in the Chippewa Cree Tribe, Watson bridges two vibrant Indigenous communities, calling both Rocky Boy, Montana, and Red Mesa, Utah, home. Deeply rooted in his heritage, […]
Rhiannon Eaglespeaker carries a powerful legacy as a young Indigenous leader, proudly representing her rich cultural heritage from the Blackfoot (Bloods) of Alberta, Canada, and the Kiowa, Southern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma. As the 2025–2026 Rocky Mountain Area Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, she represents Native youth from Montana and […]
The month of July was a full one for Watson Whitford (Chippewa Cree/Navajo), UNITY’s Male Co-President, blending national leadership, cultural celebration, and community engagement. The month began at the National UNITY Conference, where Watson connected with Indigenous youth from across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Meeting with the new cohort of Executive Committee members […]
Rhiannon Eaglespeaker, 18 Tribe: Blackfoot, Kiowa Youth Council: BTSC(Billings student tribal council) Rhiannon EagleSpeaker/WhiteShield, 18, is a proud member of the Kainai (Blackfoot/Blood), Kiowa, Arapaho, and Southern Cheyenne tribes. Enrolled with the Blackfoot in both the United States and Canada, Rhiannon was born in Browning, Montana, and holds dual citizenship in both countries. She is […]
Ready to lead? The National UNITY Council (NUC) is accepting petitions for Area Representative and Co-President (Female and Male) positions on the Executive Committee. This is your opportunity to represent Native youth, uplift your region, and help shape the future of Indigenous leadership. Available Positions: Area Representatives from UNITY’s ten regions Co-Presidents (must be former […]
