This summer, Ethan Hedgepeth (Cherokee & Tuscarora) brought his voice, his presence, and his energy to both cultural and creative spaces. At the National UNITY Conference in June, he joined other Native youth at the UNITY Drum, lending his voice to songs that carried through the gathering. He also stepped into a new role — modeling in UNITY’s fashion show led by designer Norma Baker-Flying Horse. “It felt good to be one of the ten people to be chosen to be in the show and to learn what goes into preparing for a fashion show,” Ethan said.
Later in July, Ethan traveled to Salamanca, New York, where he joined in a community social dance hosted by Six Nations elders and singers. Moving to the drum and sharing in song with relatives from different Nations gave him another way to strengthen connections and celebrate culture.
As the Southeast Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Ethan helps represent the UNITY Network so that common concerns are studied and addressed with a positive and unified voice. In this role, he works with youth councils across the Southeast to encourage cultural participation, build leadership skills, and ensure their perspectives are heard at the national level. Whether on stage in a fashion show or in the circle of a social dance, Ethan is showing that leadership comes in many forms — all rooted in pride, connection, and community.