Mahiya Ramirez Inspires Awareness in Her Community
When Muscogee (Creek) Earth Ambassador Mahiya Ramirez stepped into her final semester at the University of Central Oklahoma, she did more than open textbooks—she opened hearts and minds. Her exhibit, Saltwater Sovereignty, now on display on campus, bridges art and activism, reminding viewers that water is not just a resource, but a sacred relative. That same month, she immersed herself in community traditions at the UCO NASA Stomp Dance, helping educate others on the meaning and rhythm of stomp dancing.
She also attended a Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council meeting in Okmulgee, where legislation for a proposed Tech Park was introduced. The experience emphasized for her the importance of understanding how large-scale projects may interact with the environment, particularly with natural migration patterns. With the legislation postponed for further review, Mahiya saw the value in continuing conversations that ensure both progress and environmental awareness are considered together.
For Mahiya, this balance of cultural knowledge and environmental perspective is what drives her service as an Earth Ambassador. She believes in the importance of helping others learn about the environmental aspects of proposed projects so that communities can make well-informed decisions that honor both development and the natural world.
Through civic engagement, cultural education, and creative expression, Mahiya demonstrates what it means to be an Earth Ambassador: to honor traditions while helping her community navigate the challenges of today. Her outreach is not only strengthening awareness but also ensuring Indigenous voices guide decisions that affect the land, water, and future generations.
The UNITY Earth Ambassador program continues to cultivate leaders like Mahiya across Indian Country. This year’s cohort is bringing forward projects that blend cultural knowledge with modern solutions, from food sovereignty to clean energy to climate justice. Together, they represent a powerful movement of Native youth determined to protect the planet while uplifting their people.