When rivers flow free, so too do the songs, teachings, and celebrations of the people who call them home. This fall, UNITY Northwest Region Representative Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians) embraced a season of cultural renewal and community building.
From paddling alongside Tribal Nations during Canoe Journey to digging camas and learning about sacred medicines, Tia has been fully immersed in events that honor the land, water, and traditions that sustain Indigenous communities. “It was important for me to be there as a youth representative to learn from all of the different tribes and events I got to be in community with this month,” she reflected.
Her journey began with the Canoe Journey Paddle to Elwha, where she joined the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in celebrating the removal of the Elwha River dams. “It was so beautiful seeing all of the tribes from the Pacific Northwest and beyond come together and celebrate one another,” Tia shared.
That same spirit of unity carried into her attendance at powwows, salmon festivals, and wellness carnivals, where she set up youth council tables, hosted bracelet-making workshops, and uplifted community wellness.
Tia also leaned into cultural teachings that restore balance to both people and the environment. Through gatherings like “Tend, Gather, Grow” and “Seed to Ceremony,” she deepened her knowledge of Native foods, sacred tobacco, and traditional medicines. “A lot of the events I attended were celebrating undammed rivers and the restoration of the cultural teachings that come with land stewardship,” she explained, underscoring how the revival of lands and waters goes hand-in-hand with cultural renewal.
From tabling at community health clinics to participating in Indigenous medicinal gatherings, Tia represents the essence of UNITY’s mission: Native youth leading with purpose, drawing strength from ancestral knowledge, and creating spaces for others to thrive. Her example shows that being a Regional Representative isn’t just about showing up—it’s about bringing people together, carrying teachings forward, and using every experience to inspire others.
The National UNITY Council, comprising over 300 youth councils nationwide, thrives because of leaders like Tia. As part of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, she amplifies the voices of Native youth in the Northwest, ensuring that issues of land stewardship, culture, and wellness remain at the center of national conversations.
Tia’s message to her peers is simple but powerful: show up, learn, and give back. By participating in cultural gatherings and local events, Native youth everywhere can help strengthen their communities and preserve traditions. “All of the activities I had the privilege of partaking in were so significant to me because of the importance I felt from those I participated with,” she said. That sense of belonging and purpose is what UNITY represents—Native youth united for collective impact.