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. “Attending Mid-Year was amazing, I really enjoyed getting to know the UNITY youth in my workshop,” she shared.
The conference served as a powerful community event, bringing together Native youth to explore critical issues and build solutions rooted in culture and connection. Through her role in the climate track, Jada contributed to conversations around environmental responsibility, resilience, and youth-led action. These workshops create opportunities for participants to not only learn about environmental challenges but also to envision how they can make an impact within their own communities.
Her civic engagement was reflected in her ability to step into leadership even when plans shifted. While she had originally planned to co-host an environmental resilience workshop with NCNAYO, the event was rescheduled due to weather. Despite this change, Jada remained adaptable and focused, continuing to support youth engagement through her work at Midyear. Her flexibility highlights a key aspect of leadership—showing up and contributing wherever needed.
Through her facilitation, Jada helped create an educational space where youth could exchange ideas, build relationships, and strengthen their understanding of environmental stewardship. These moments of peer-to-peer learning are essential in empowering Native youth to take ownership of the issues affecting their communities.
Jada’s experience at Midyear reflects her ongoing commitment to service, education, and connection. By engaging with youth from different tribal nations, she continues to build a network of leaders who are united in their efforts to protect the land and uplift their communities.
The UNITY Earth Ambassador Program continues to uplift leaders like Jada Allen who are inspiring change through education, collaboration, and cultural grounding. This year’s cohort represents Indigenous youth who are stepping into leadership roles at conferences, in their communities, and beyond—creating spaces where knowledge is shared, voices are heard, and futures are shaped.