Before the official kickoff of the 2025 National UNITY Conference, a group of Native youth leaders arrived early in San Diego to participate in UNITY’s Earth Ambassadors Pre-Conference Training—a powerful experience blending cultural connection, environmental education, and action planning for climate justice. These youth make up the newly selected 2025–2026 Circle of UNITY Earth Ambassadors, representing tribal nations and regions across the country with a shared mission to protect and honor Mother Earth.
This year’s Earth Ambassadors are:
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Codie Horse-Topetchy (Kiowa, Comanche & Otoe-Missouria Tribes), Oklahoma
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Jada Allen (Lumbee Tribe), North Carolina
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Jizelle Juan (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community), Arizona
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Laylalanai Gocobachi (Pascua Yaqui Tribe), Arizona
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Mahiya Ramirez (Muscogee (Creek) Nation), Oklahoma
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Marla Mesarina (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe & Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), Minnesota
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McKaylin Peters (Menominee Indian Tribe), Wisconsin
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Neepa Hyde (Shinnecock Nation), Minnesota
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Nizhoni Deschene (Navajo Nation & Turtle Mountain Chippewa), Maryland
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Vydell Willie (Navajo Nation), Arizona
The three-day pre-conference training began with a powerful Fireside Storytelling Session at La Jolla Shores, where the organization Native Like Water led a cultural blessing, ocean teachings, and reflections on Indigenous land and water stewardship. This session helped Ambassadors build trust, reflect on their personal connection to the environment, and hear from Kumeyaay elders on traditional ecological practices.
On the second day, the youth participated in an Indigenous Surf Culture experience, where they learned ocean safety, practiced group balance through “Supsquatch” surfing, and explored environmental responsibility through hands-on experience in the water. The day continued with a visit to the Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego, where youth took part in workshops on land stewardship, cultural burning, and water conservation, led by instructors from Kumeyaay Community College and UCSD. These lessons helped ground scientific understanding in cultural knowledge, reinforcing the sacred role of Native people as caretakers of the Earth.
The Earth Ambassadors also received training in climate advocacy, project planning, and peer education. They learned how to identify local environmental challenges, create action plans, and use storytelling to organize and inspire others. They practiced skills like delivering policy messages, building one-on-one relationships, and leading regional gatherings. The program’s goal: prepare each Ambassador to host their own environmental training in their community or region over the coming year.
Their training culminated in a special Earth Ambassadors Ceremony during Friday’s General Assembly, where each was introduced to the UNITY audience, received a medallion, and was honored with an honor song by the UNITY Drum. The crowd cheered as these young leaders took their place on stage, signaling the beginning of a year of Indigenous environmental leadership.
This program strongly aligns with UNITY’s commitment to environmental justice, cultural revitalization, and youth-led advocacy. Each Ambassador brings their own perspective, strengths, and tribal teachings into the work, showing that environmental stewardship is not one-size-fits-all—it is deeply personal, deeply cultural, and deeply needed. One youth leader shared, “Being an Earth Ambassador helped me realize that protecting our land is sacred work. I didn’t know I could be a leader until I was surrounded by others who cared like I did.” Another said, “I’m excited to teach other Native youth what I’ve learned here. We’re stronger together.”
UNITY continues to support these Ambassadors with mentorship, resources, and national visibility—ensuring they are not only prepared to lead, but supported every step of the way. Through them, UNITY is growing a national network of Indigenous climate leaders, rooted in tradition, driven by science, and guided by the spirit of intergenerational healing.