Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi took part in a panel titled What is Food? at the Arizona Good Food Forum. Alongside intergenerational Indigenous leaders—including her grandfather, Robert Valencia—she discussed food as relationship, memory, and a vision for future generations. Sharing the stage with her grandfather was especially meaningful, planting seeds of inspiration for her ongoing commitment to community stewardship.
She also reconnected with youth in her own community, teaching the YOEME Youth Council how to create traditional sewas and helping them prepare for their council inauguration. Later, she was officially announced as a participant in Planet Forward’s Indigenous Correspondent Program, where she will create a storytelling project focused on either the Hiak Vatwe (Yaqui River) or the importance of traditional crops.
Through these platforms, Laylalanai is engaging Native youth ages 14–24 in climate education and cultural renewal. As part of the UNITY Earth Ambassador cohort, she demonstrates servant leadership by weaving together ancestral teachings, youth mentorship, and environmental advocacy. “Have faith,” she reminded herself and others. “You are not alone, you have community behind you, you are living your ancestors’ prayers, and every breath is a blessing.”
Through every experience—whether presenting a climate assessment, joining cultural gatherings, or uplifting food sovereignty—Laylalanai Gocobachi remains rooted in her Earth Ambassador platform: weaving cultural knowledge with environmental action. As part of the UNITY Earth Ambassador cohort, she stands alongside Native youth ages 14–24 who are sparking climate change discussions and community education across Indian Country. Together, they embody servant leadership, showing that healing the Earth and empowering the next generation go hand in hand.
