Co-Presidents
Kaytlynn Johnston, Co-President
Bishop Paiute Tribe, California
CONTACT:
National UNITY Council Executive Committee
Email: kj.copresident@unityinc.org
Manahuu ii-na-nia-nai Kaytlynn Michelle Johnston nuumu nuu, paya hupuu-wei nuu kima-du
Hello everyone, my name is Kaytlynn Michelle Johnston I am Paiute, and I come from where the water flows in Bishop California. I’m currently the United National Indian Tribal Youth Organization’s Female Co-President for 2024-2025. I am the daughter of Carrie Brown and Tony Brown, and I have (4) siblings. I am the middle child, my older sister is Leticia Gonzales, my older brother Carlos Gonzales Jr., my younger sister is Ashley Johnston, and our youngest sibling is our brother George Brown. I am 19 years old. I am a lifelong resident of Bishop California and a proud member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe. Bishop California is a small town 4 hours away from Los Angeles, 4 hours away from Las Vegas, and 3 hours from Reno Nevada. I live on the Bishop Paiute reservation, a one-mile by one-mile plot of land. Today the Paiute people are the fifth largest California Tribe, with 2,000 members and one of the smallest land bases. I am honored to be your Female Co-President of UNITY for my second term. I hope to serve native youth in the best way I can, I want youth to feel acknowledged, welcomed, and loved while involved with UNITY. Thank you for your time and the conversations I’ve had with many of you and your tribes. I hope to meet more of you all very soon, Manahabu,
Thank you!
Watson Whitford, Co-President
Chippewa Cree & Navajo, Montana
CONTACT:
National UNITY Council Executive Committee
Email: ww.copresident@unityinc.org
Watson W. Whitford or Wapanatak (Morning Star) comes from the Dine (Navajo) Nation and is an enrolled member of the Ochipwew Nehiyahw (Chippewa Cree) tribe. Rocky Boy, Montana and Red Mesa, Utah are the places he calls home. Whitford is an alumni of Navajo Preparatory School and is currently in his second year of studying Environmental Horticulture at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. Whitford is a proud participant of his cultural ceremonies from both of his tribes. Through song, dance, ceremony, language, and prayer Whitford has gained skills and values that have led to his history of leadership positions he has held. Whitford is the newly elected Male Co-President, proudly serving all the UNITY youth across North America. Whitford first joined UNITY as an Earth Ambassador serving from 2021-22. He has also served the youth of the Rocky Mountain Region as the Rocky Mountain Region Representative for the past 2 years, 2022-24. Whitford is grateful to UNITY for allowing him to serve these positions which have allowed him to gain experience in different areas of leadership. UNITY has also encouraged Whitford to explore his love for the Earth, leadership, culture, and much more. Whitford has the honor of participating in other leadership positions outside of UNITY as well. He currently sits as a member of the Indigenous Youth Leadership Coalition under the Department of State. Whitford has also recently joined the United Nations Association of The United States of America as a member to speak as a global citizen for Indigenous peoples. Whitford would like to encourage Indigenous youth everywhere to never forget who they are, to speak their languages, to practice their ceremonies, and respect everything. Whitford looks forward to working with Indigenous youth and hopes to represent UNITY with respect and humility.
National UNITY Council EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Members of each UNITY-affiliated youth council appoint two individuals (one young woman, one young man) to serve as their representatives on the National UNITY Council (NUC). Native youth throughout the United States, who are UNITY affiliates, elect individuals to serve as Area Representatives on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee. The ten geographical areas are as follows: Great Plains, Midwest, Northeast, Northwest, Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Southeast, Southern Plains, Southwest, and Western. Two youth leaders (one young man, one young woman) are elected by the NUC membership each year to serve as National UNITY Council Co-Presidents.
Past National UNITY Council CoPresidents
- 2020-2021
- Kiera Toya Jemez Pueblo
- Robert “Scottie” Miller Swinomish
- 2021-2022
- Audriana Mitchell Colorado River Indian Tribes
- Izaiah Fisher Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
- 2022-2023
- Chenoa Scippio Santa Clara Pueblo
- Colby White Thunder Alabama Coushatta
- 2023-2024
- Kaytlynn Johnston Bishop Paiute Tribe
- Jonathan Arakawa Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
- 2010-2011
- J’Shon Lee White Mountain Apache
- Victor Fuentez Muscogee Creek Nation
- 2011-2012
- Amira Madison Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
- Jared Massey White Mountain Apache
- 2012-2013
- Amira Madison Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head
- Jared Massey White Mountain Apache
- 2013-2014
- Dominique Lombardi Morongo Band of Mission Indians
- Nataanii Hatathlie Navajo Nation
- 2014-2015
- Sarah Scott Lummi Nation
- Brian Weeden Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
- 2015-2016
- Sassamin Weeden Mashpee Wampanoag
- Brian Weeden Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
- 2016-2017
- Sarah Scott Lummi Nation
- Hamilton Seymour Nooksack
- 2017-2018
- Sophie Tiger Commanche
- Hamilton Seymour Nooksack
- 2018-2019
- SuSun Fisher Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
- Joseph Davis Gila River Indian Community
- 2019-2020
- Brittany McKane Muscogee Creek Nation
- Robert “Scottie” Miller Swinomish
- 2000-2001
- LeAndra Bitsie Navajo Nation
- Michael Preston Gila River Indian Community
- 2001-2002
- LeAndra Bitsie Navajo Nation
- Darren Pedro Gila River Indian Community
- 2002-2003
- Kristy Dayson Little Traverse Bay Bands Of Odawa Indians
- Daniel “Dan” Terrio Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians
- 2003-2004
- Mary Smith Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Lee Baltazar Pascua Yaqui Tribe
- 2004-2005
- Misty Airington Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Daniel “Dan” Terrio Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians
- 2005-2006
- Latisha Stick Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Sherman Billie Mississippi Band of Choctaw
- 2006-2007
- Hannah Ward Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians
- Matthias Lupe White Mountain Apache
- 2007-2008
- Kelsey Leonard Shinnecock Nation
- Joshua Tso Navajo Nation
- 2008-2009
- Juanita Toledo Jemez Pueblo
- Joshua Tso Navajo Nation
- 2009-2010
- J’Shon Lee White Mountain Apache
- Victor Fuentez Muscogee Creek Nation
- 1992-1993
- Lovina Louie Coeur d’Alene/ Okanagan & Lakes Band of the Colville Confederated Tribes
- Joseph Brown Thunder Ho-Chunk Nation/Oglala Lakota Nation
- 1993-1994
- Toni Edwards Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
- Joseph Brown Thunder Ho-Chunk Nation/Oglala Lakota Nation
- 1994-1995
- Pearl Yellowman Navajo Nation
- Leslie Caye Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
- 1995-1996
- Pearl Yellowman Navajo Nation
- Leslie Caye Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
- 1996-1997
- Sharon Watson Navajo Nation
- Leslie Caye Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
- 1997-1998
- Laura Morningstar Winder Seneca Nation
- Michael Killer Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
- 1998-1999
- Katharine Factor Kiowa
- Manny Lasiloo Gila River Indian Community
- 1999-2000
- Wilpita Bia Navajo Nation
- Leonard Kisto
NUC Co-PRESIDENT COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND MONTHLY REPORTS
United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY), in partnership with the Center for Native American Youth and the White House,…
Watson Whitford: Elevating Voices and Inspiring Hope for Native Youth “The fate of the world rests in the hands of…
Voices of Change: Kaytlynn Johnston Inspires Native Youth Leadership “This work is vital to me. It’s given me new opportunities…
“Leading with Purpose: Watson Whitford Champions Culture, Wellness, and Unity” Leadership rooted in resilience and community defines Watson Whitford’s journey…
In a powerful convergence of culture and leadership, UNITY’s Executive Committee traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, to participate in the…
Watson Whitford, UNITY Male Co-President, exemplifies dedication to cultural heritage and community engagement through his recent activities. Whitford participates in…
In August, Kaytlynn Johnston, UNITY Female Co-President, engaged in a series of meaningful activities that underscored her commitment to advocacy,…
Male Co-President Watson Whitford Inspires Unity and Wellness in Native Communities Watson Whitford’s role as Co-President of the National UNITY…
For Watson Whitford, a Chippewa Cree and Navajo youth leader serving as the Co-President of the National UNITY Council Executive…
Rise and Vote: Amplify Native Voices CLICK below to download two Free UNITY GOTV toolkits designed to empower Native youth in…
For Watson Whitford, the National UNITY Council Male Co-President and a proud member of the Chippewa Cree and Navajo Nations,…
Thinking about joining the National UNITY Council (NUC) Executive Committee? It’s a great way to make friends, network and gain…
After 4 long years, Tribes throughout the Northwest came together for their Annual Canoe Journey. This year, canoes from Canada,…
2023-24 National UNITY Council Executive Committee BIOGRAPHIES Jonathan Arakawa, UNITY Co-President Tribe: Lower Elwha Klallam, Washington Jonathan Arakawa is…
UNITY Concludes Successful National Conference in Washington, D.C. Highlights included prominent speakers and workshops, as well as the election of…
The 2023-24 National UNITY Council Declaration of Candidacy Petition Online Application process is now open. This petition is for National…