Liliana Mars (Narragansett, Navajo), Northeast Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, showed how leadership can move seamlessly between celebration and service. Between traveling to powwows, joining regional UNITY meetups, and mobilizing her community for a large-scale food distribution effort, Liliana balanced cultural pride with urgent action — proving that leadership means showing up wherever help is needed most.
Her month began in California at the Chumash Powwow, hosted by the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians, where Liliana celebrated Indigenous strength and connection through song, dance, and community. The gathering was an important reminder of the unity that exists across tribal nations — something she continues to champion as part of her work with the National UNITY Council.
She also attended two regional UNITY meetups, joining other Executive Committee members to collaborate, share updates, and strengthen interregional partnerships. These meetings serve as a vital part of UNITY’s network — allowing youth leaders like Liliana to discuss issues, trade ideas, and develop coordinated strategies to support Native youth councils across Indian Country.
But back home in Rhode Island, Liliana’s leadership took on an entirely different urgency. When the government shutdown led to the suspension of SNAP/EBT benefits, her family and tribal council immediately stepped in to fill the gap. “When it was announced the SNAP/EBT benefits would be halted, we jumped into action,” she explained. “The very next day, we went out and sourced food, and the day after began our weeklong shopping prep for over 220 boxes.”
Over the course of the week, Liliana and her team sourced food from across the state, preparing hundreds of food boxes for tribal and non-tribal families alike. Their quick response ensured that vulnerable community members didn’t go without essentials. “It was scary hearing and seeing how many members of our community were harmed by this,” she shared. “But I’m slowly feeling a sense of ease knowing we’re trying to have food box distributions monthly for our community.”
Liliana’s approach to leadership is rooted in compassion and inclusivity. Not only did her group focus on their tribal community, but they also donated leftover supplies to a local food pantry, ensuring their outreach reached even further. “It eases my mind knowing we aren’t just servicing our own community, but various others as well,” she said.
As the Northeast Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Liliana continues to embody UNITY’s mission — uplifting Native youth and communities through service, cultural pride, and collective action. Her month of October serves as a powerful example of servant leadership in motion: celebrating culture, connecting with peers, and stepping up in times of crisis to ensure that no one is left behind.