UNITY proudly recognizes another group of outstanding leaders in the 2026 UNITY 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders class. These young leaders are working across fields including policy, health, education, justice, and community advocacy to support and uplift Native communities. Gabriel Spinks (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation) is a Minneapolis-based political strategist and […]
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 […]
UNITY proudly recognizes the first five of the 2026 UNITY 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders class. These young leaders are creating meaningful change through education, advocacy, culture, research, and service in their communities and beyond. Aliyah Atencio (Santo Domingo Pueblo) earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of […]
For Ethan Hedgepeth, Cherokee and Tuscarora and Southeast Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, leadership came full circle this month. From attending a regional meeting at East Carolina University to sharing UNITY with Native youth and families at the Haliwa-Saponi Powwow in Hollister, North Carolina, Ethan used his voice to strengthen connections, encourage […]
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 […]
This month, Jada Allen brought her leadership and passion for environmental advocacy to the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, where she helped facilitate a climate track workshop for Native youth from across the country. Surrounded by fellow Earth Ambassadors and emerging leaders, Jada stepped into a space of collaboration, learning, and shared purpose. […]
This fall, Jada Allen stepped into national spaces where science, leadership, and Indigenous representation intersect—bringing her voice and vision to both STEM innovation and civic leadership training. At the 2025 American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference in Minneapolis, Jada joined Native scholars and professionals from across the country as part of the […]
This November, Jada Allen stepped into leadership at the intersection of culture, health, and youth advocacy. She helped facilitate the NAHM UNITY Earth Ambassadors Webinar, a space dedicated to exploring Indigenous relationships with Mother Earth and the responsibility youth carry in sustaining those connections. Bringing together voices from different generations, the webinar created a meaningful […]
This month, Jada Allen traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to attend the Southeastern Earth Ambassador Regional Gathering, joining Native youth leaders, UNITY staff, and regional representatives for a powerful experience rooted in connection, culture, and environmental learning. Surrounded by peers from across the Southeast, Jada stepped into a space where youth voices, lived experiences, and […]
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 […]
