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Earth Ambassadors

This page is dedicated to the program and a resource where those interested may learn about the application process, program activities, and upcoming events, and meet the current/incoming class of Ambassadors.

 

The Earth Ambassador Legacy: Years of Earth Advocates

2023-24 Class of Earth Ambassadors

The 2023-2024 Earth Ambassadors are:

  • Bronson Kainoa Azama, 22, Kānaka Maoli, Hawaii
  • Derek Capitan, 24, Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico
  • Spencer Walton, 20, Confederated Tribes Of Siletz Indians, Oregon
  • Jovi Williams, 18, White Mountain Apache, Arizona
  • Evelyn Enos, 18, Akimel O’odham, Gila River Indian Community, Arizona
  • Tia Butler, 19, Confederated Tribes Of Siletz Indians, Oregon
  • Anagali (Shace) Duncan, 20, Cherokee, Rhode Island
  • Sumaya Quitugua, 18, Acoma Pueblo, Chamorro, Arizona
  • Liliana Mars, 17, Narragansett Indian Tribe, Rhode Island
  • Sareya Taylor, 21, White Mountain Apache, New Mexico

2021-22 Class of Earth Ambassadors

The 2021-2022 class of UNITY Earth Ambassadors are:

  • LeAndria Gene, 17, Navajo
  • Steve Harvey, 19, San Carlos Apache
  • Binaahozhoonii Daisey Howard, 15, Navajo (Dine) / Zuni
  • Tobi Candice Joe, 18, Navajo
  • Maiya Martinez, 20, Spokane Tribe
  • Gabriella Nakai, 15, Navajo / Choctaw
  • Lauren Shelly Pina, 20, San Carlos Apache
  • Tylee Tom, 20, Navajo
  • Karlin Tsotigh, 16, Kiowa
  • Watson Whitford, 15, Chippewa Cree

2019-20 Class of Earth Ambassadors

The 2019 Class of UNITY Earth Ambassadors are:

  • Alec Lee (Navajo), 19, New Mexico
  • Angela Noah (White Mountain Apache Tribe), 19, Oregon
  • Hope Long (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), 16, North Carolina
  • Jeidah DeZurney (Confederated Tribes of Siletz), 20, Oregon
  • Kaylene Nevaquaya (Comanche Nation), 18, Oklahoma
  • Marco Ovando (Shoshone-Paiute Tribe), 19, Nevada
  • Sage Lacapa (White Mountain Apache Tribe), 15, Arizona
  • Samuel Lopez (Tohono O’odham Nation), 16, Arizona
  • Sky Wildcat (Cherokee Nation), 23, Oklahoma
  • Zunneh-Bah Martin (Diné), 22, New Mexico

2017-18 Class of Earth Ambassadors

The 2017 class of the UNITY Earth Ambassadors Leadership Program includes:

  • Damien Carlos, 18, Tohono O’odham Nation – Sells, AZ
  • Nicholas Call, 15, Yamasee – Orange Springs, FL
  • Tristan Joe, 17, Navajo Nation – Kirtland, NM
  • Raeanna Johnson, 15, Navajo Nation – Hardrock, AZ
  • Tatiana Ticknor, 18, Dena’ina/Tlingit – Anchorage, AK
  • Sonwai Wakayuta, 16, Hualapai – Kingman, AZ
  • Attaquin Weeden, 20, Mashpee Wampanoag, Mashpee, MA
  • Jazmine Wildcat, 14, Northern Arapaho, Riverton, WY
  • Journey Zephier, 17, Yankton Sioux, Kapaa, HI
  • Rainbow Star Zephier, 15, Yankton Sioux, Kapaa, HI

2015-16 Class of Earth Ambassadors

The 2015 class of the UNITY Earth Ambassadors Leadership Program includes:

  • Henry Birk Albert, 16, Koyukon Athabaskan – Lake Placid, NY
  • Kristine Baker, 16, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians – Belcourt, ND
  • SuSun Fisher, 16, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians – Grand Ronde, OR
  • Mariah Gladstone, 21, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Blackfeet – Helena, MT
  • Wyatte Goggles, 20, Eastern Shoshone – Fort Washakie, WY
  • Tequorra Green, 22, Lumbee – Baskerville, VA
  • Kenaba Hatathlie, 18, Navajo – Kirtland, NM
  • Jessica McCool, 17, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians – Solvang, CA
  • Xavier Medina, 16, Pascua Yaqui – Tucson, AZ
  • Nadira Mitchell, 14, Navajo – Tucson, AZ
  • Ryan Stiffarm, 15, San Carlos Apache / Acoma / Gros Ventre – Chandler, AZ
  • Rory Wheeler, 17, Seneca Nation of Indians – Irving, NY
  • Tomas WhiteAntelope, 24, Northern Arapaho / Lummi – Richmond, CA
Earth Ambassadors Graphic

United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) announced the 2023 class of its Earth Ambassadors Leaders on Earth Day and honored them during the National UNITY Conference in Washington D.C. The environmental stewardship program (which was started in the 1990s) was re-established in 2015 with the support of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

This program is brought to you in part by the generous support of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Through their ongoing partnership, Native youth are able to travel to the National Recognition Awards ceremony and attend vital leadership training during the Native youths’ term.

Each Earth Ambassador will host their community service project showcasing the new skills and leadership tools they have gained throughout the year. Topics can focus on but are not limited to, recycling, conservation, sustainability, regeneration, and restoration. In addition, the ambassadors will be provided special opportunities, coordinated through UNITY, to take their message to tribal and government agency representatives, and lawmakers. Earth Ambassadors will present their projects at UNITY-hosted events and submit written reports on their progress throughout the year.

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The 2023 class of Earth Ambassadors will attend training sessions and informational workshops to increase their knowledge of environmental issues affecting Native America, learn to serve as an ambassador to increase awareness of the issues affecting the environmental quality on Native lands and promote efforts to address environmental concerns within the nation’s Native communities.

Community projects range from “the return of planting foods using native seed banks and traditional seeds as an exercise of Native sovereignty, and by growing it exercises an act of environmental sovereignty” says Earth Ambassador Gabriella Nakai (Choctaw/Navajo) from Phoenix to creating “business sustainability within her tribal community through the promotion of greener businesses, less waste, recyclable products, recycling, and making the San Carlos Apache Tribe a greener mindset” explains Earth Ambassador Lauren Pino (San Carlos Apache), a recent graduate of Penn State University.