The 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference in Phoenix, Arizona brought together Native youth from across the country to explore deeper levels of self-awareness, cultural identity, and spiritual wellness. As part of UNITY’s commitment to providing young leaders with a stronger sense of belonging, several hands-on cultural workshops focused on personal storytelling, traditional knowledge, and cultural revitalization. These workshops created a safe space for youth to reflect, express, and affirm their Indigenous identities through both traditional and contemporary creative expression.
In the workshop titled “Exploring Self-Identity in ‘Two Worlds’ Through Creative Expression,” National UNITY Council regional representatives Mazie Countryman and Mahiya Ramirez led youth on a powerful journey of self-discovery.“Participants created Identity Collages and Maps that helped them explore who they are as Native people navigating between traditional and modern cultures. Many youth said it was the first time they’d ever put their dual identity into words and images,” the facilitators shared.
“A Journey of Cultural Resilience” by Derek Capitan, national UNITY 25 Under 25 Awardee (Laguna Pueblo/Navajo) invited youth into a circle of reflection, storytelling, and art.“We laughed, we created, and we talked about how our resilience as Native people is rooted in our stories. Youth opened up about their communities and what keeps them strong. It was healing,” said Capitan.
National UNITY Council Co-President Watson Whitford (Chippewa Cree/Navajo) created a space for cultural dialogue in his workshop “Cultural Connections.” “We encouraged youth to speak up about how they practice their culture today. From language to ceremonies, youth walked away realizing how diverse and powerful their traditions are, even if practiced differently,” Whitford explained.
National UNITY Council regional representative Jamie Crowe (Tesuque Pueblo) brought mental health and identity together in “Culture and Mental Health.”“We made space for the tough stuff. Youth shared how reconnecting with traditions—from dancing to cooking with their grandparents—was helping them cope with stress and anxiety. It was a reminder that culture is healing,” Crowe reflected.
In “Revitalizing Culture in the City: Hands-On Urban Gatherings,” national UNITY 25 Under 25 Awardee Georgia Harjo (Muscogee) introduced an initiative that bridges urban life with traditional teachings. “Young people living in cities often feel disconnected from culture. This workshop showed them that moccasin-making, language learning, and ribbon skirts can happen anywhere—with the right community,” Harjo said.
Each workshop was rooted in the idea that reconnecting to cultural identity isn’t just about the past—it’s about creating a path forward. Whether through collaging, basket-making, or sharing personal stories, these spaces gave Native youth the confidence to be themselves fully and proudly.
For many participants, these workshops offered the first real opportunity to see their culture as a source of strength. As one attendee shared, “I used to feel like I had to choose between two worlds. Now I know I can walk in both.”
UNITY’s cultural workshops continue to support spiritual wellness by affirming cultural identity as a core part of health and leadership. When Native youth see their culture reflected, celebrated, and honored in leadership spaces, their sense of belonging—and their vision for the future—grows stronger.
In embracing their cultures through art, language, and storytelling, youth not only preserved traditions but built new ones. They walked away with new tools to connect with themselves, their communities, and their future goals.