UNITY proudly recognizes our last group of outstanding leaders in the 2026 UNITY 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders class. These young leaders are grounded in culture, education, and service, and are actively creating change through advocacy, leadership, and community engagement. Reg Macarro (Pechanga Band of Indians) is a UC Berkeley student studying Conservation & […]
UNITY proudly recognizes another group of outstanding leaders in the 2026 UNITY 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders class. These young leaders are grounded in culture, education, and service while creating impact in their communities through advocacy, leadership, and storytelling. Meranden Numkena (Hopi Tribe & Navajo Nation) is a recent Arizona State University graduate in […]
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 health, housing, environment, communications, and community leadership to create meaningful change in their communities. Kiian Huenemann (Navajo Nation) is a Stanford University student studying Cellular, Molecular, and Organismal Biology on […]
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 […]
PHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix Indian Center’s F.I.N.A.L. Youth Council continues to make a meaningful impact across Indigenous communities through advocacy, education and healing-centered events focused on youth wellness, justice and community empowerment. Recently, the F.I.N.A.L. Youth Council’s Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) Committee hosted its Annual MMIP Prayer Walk, bringing together more than […]
The Tribal Affairs Team is excited to announce two upcoming summer camp opportunities designed to inspire, educate, and bring Native youth and families together through STEM learning, cultural enrichment, and outdoor adventure. Annual STEM Camp Returns to the Navajo Nation Kicking off the summer season is the annual STEM Camp, taking place June 5–7 at […]
Amaya Escalante stepped into April with courage, purpose, and a clear reminder that Native youth leadership carries responsibility. Whether speaking out for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, emceeing UNITY’s 50th Anniversary Block Party, or competing at the Gathering of Nations Co-ed Softball Tournament, Amaya represented her people, her community, and the UNITY movement with pride. […]
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 […]
