July was a whirlwind month for National UNITY Council Northeast Representative and Secretary Liliana Mars (Narragansett, Navajo), filled with cultural celebration, community service, and heartfelt leadership milestones. The month began on a high note as Liliana attended the National UNITY Conference in San Diego, California, where she was re-elected to her leadership roles.
“The National UNITY Conference was a bittersweet moment for myself. My term ended with the best EC I could’ve ever asked for — we shared laughs and tears, and shared many dinner dates at In-N-Out Burger! Truly, the previous EC is what grounded me in my work as the NE Rep… they are the reason why I will continue to flourish and grow with my work in UNITY.”
Over 3,000 Native youth gathered for the conference, strengthening bonds and building leadership skills that will ripple across Indian Country. For Liliana, it was a moment to reflect on the peers who inspired her and to recommit to uplifting others in her role.
The cultural heartbeat of July continued with her attendance at two vibrant powwows — the Cherokee Fourth of July Powwow, hosted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee in North Carolina, and the Salamanca Powwow, hosted by the Seneca Nation in New York. These events not only celebrated tradition and heritage but also strengthened intertribal connections across regions.
Liliana then turned her focus to direct service in her own community. She joined her family and youth council alumni to kick off her tribe’s summer food distribution at the Narragansett Tribal Longhouse in Charlestown, Rhode Island. They handed out bags filled with fresh vegetables and eggs to local families. “The rest of the leftover bags we donated to a local food pantry — which is what we always do with excess food!” This simple but impactful act ensured that no resource went to waste and that more community members could benefit.
From the West Coast conference halls to the Eastern powwow grounds and the heart of her own tribal community, Liliana’s July embodied the National UNITY Council’s mission to represent and uplift Native youth through service, cultural pride, and collaborative leadership. Her work this month reflects the NUC’s vision — that when Native youth are inspired and equipped, they not only carry forward their heritage but also create a better future for their communities.
Liliana’s dedication shows that leadership doesn’t stop at a conference podium; it continues in the small, consistent actions that make a difference — whether in front of thousands at a national event or with a bag of vegetables in hand at a local food line.