The month of August brought both transition and triumph for Navajo Earth Ambassador Vydell Willie. Between packing for his first semester of college and presenting at local chapter meetings, Vydell discovered that true leadership often means learning to balance growth in both personal and community life. Early in the month, he introduced himself as a […]
Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi took part in a panel titled What is Food? at the Arizona Good Food Forum. Alongside intergenerational Indigenous leaders—including her grandfather, Robert Valencia—she discussed food as relationship, memory, and a vision for future generations. Sharing the stage with her grandfather was especially meaningful, planting seeds of inspiration for her ongoing commitment […]
After ten weeks of dedicated work, Pascua Yaqui Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi concluded her internship with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals this August. Partnering with the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians and the University of California Cooperative Extension, she contributed to a climate change and natural resources needs assessment. Her final presentation to the […]
Early August found Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi at the UC Berkeley Indigenous Mini-Camp, where she joined peers and Mountain Maidu knowledge keepers to learn about Indigenous stewardship, LAND BACK, and TEK. The camp offered both lessons and community, reminding her of the strength of shared space and stories. She also attended Native American Heritage Night […]
When UNITY summer intern Roshaun Norcross (Navajo) joined acclaimed Phoenix artist Antoinette Cauley and the Phoenix Mercury for a month-long mural mentorship, she stepped into more than an art project—it became a transformative journey rooted in cultural expression, professional growth, and community connection. “This month-long program helped me be an even bigger part of the […]
A 75-foot-long string of red ribbons carrying names and messages now hangs at a memorial site for San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike, who was reported missing in Mesa, Arizona, and whose remains were found 100 miles away near Globe, Arizona, earlier this year. During the National UNITY Conference, held in late June in San […]
When Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi returned from the UNITY Conference, she didn’t slow down—in fact, she sped up. Within days, she was developing workshops, meeting with local leaders, and hosting hands-on activities that wove together environmental education, cultural preservation, and youth leadership. Her July became a powerful example of how one committed leader can inspire […]
This July, UNITY Earth Ambassador Nizhoni Deschene, Navajo and Turtle Mountain Chippewa, dedicated his efforts to bridging the gap between Indigenous knowledge, financial literacy, and authentic youth leadership. Continuing his internship at Tallsalt Advisors, a Native-led investment advisory firm, he took on key responsibilities that advanced both internal operations and client-facing initiatives. From compiling detailed […]
For Amaya Escalante (Pascua Yaqui Tribe), July was a month dedicated to leadership, cultural preservation, and civic engagement. Following her attendance at the 2025 National UNITY Conference, Amaya presented her conference report to the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council during one of their biweekly meetings — a trip made possible through the council’s sponsorship. While there, […]
Featuring Earth Ambassador: Jizelle Juan (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Western Region) This month, Earth Ambassador Jizelle Juan embodied the spirit of youth leadership through cultural celebration, civic engagement, and powerful public speaking. As a committed member of the Young River Peoples Council, she took part in two executive board meetings, two general council meetings, […]
