Healing Indigenous Lives Initiative

Get to know the newest UNITY Peer Guide Cohort and learn more about their passion for advocating for “non-traditional” Native youth leadership. UNITY has recruited this diverse group of youth mentors to design and facilitate six regional trainings across the Nation. These trainings will empower Native youth to speak out about critical aspects of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention efforts within their home communities.

Over the next two years, these Peer Guides will spearhead this initiative to support and enhance Native youth engagement, coordination, and action related to public safety issues, focusing on cultural prevention approaches to wellness in Indian country. Each of the Peer Guides was chosen based on their testimonies of overcoming adversity and helping lift up others.

“A Native youth should never feel ashamed of struggling to become a leader, especially at such an early age. Many young Native people can relate to coming from broken households and decades of historical trauma, which can be the root of a lot of their struggles. The best teachings come from failure, and I believe that I would not be in the position I am now if I did not fail and hit rock bottom. I would let Native youth know that it is never too late to accomplish what they want or who they want to be. Lastly, I like to remind Indigenous youth that they represent hundreds of generations before them and that they are living for those who sacrificed their lives so that we may still walk this earth today,” said Lester.

“All leaders have something to fight for, and if youth don’t know what that something is, then they are on the right track. I would tell the youth that it is okay to think something about their image is bad. It is okay not to view themselves in all their glory. It is okay to feel that their character is not worthy. I think the negative aspects deserve as much attention as the positive ones get. If we do not like something about ourselves, we fix that behavior, not anyone else. Leaders are emotional and empathetic; learning to care for the self is crucial for caring for others. Youth that struggles to see the leader within themselves are the ones who will fight endlessly for what they believe is right. Once youth find their “why,” passion blooms, and their spirit manifests,” said Wakayuta.

Sonwai Wakayuta 19 (Hualapai/Hopi) is a student from Peach Springs, AZ, attending Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. Where she serves as the first attendant to Miss Haskell 2019-2020, in her early years, Ms. Wakayuta has represented the Hualapai tribe as; a Little Miss and Miss Teen titleholder, as president of the Hualapai tribal youth council, and as an Earth Ambassador inducted into the class of 2017.
Now, Ms. Wakayuta promotes cultural awareness, diversity, and environmental stewardship among her peers and communities. She is eager to find creative, imaginative ways to advocate for healthier, stronger people, starting with the youth of tomorrow. Hankyu.

“You are your own worst critic. Everyone is the hardest on themselves. As Native youth, we are living, breathing examples of survival from Native genocide. Just being alive is a struggle against settler colonialism because we are still here. We fight to exist, and we fight to survive. We are the future, and we will lead the future generations to come as our ancestors did for us. It is easy to think “not me,” but if not, then who? And who better than you?” Rilatos explained, “I am excited to bring my platform, which is ‘Culture is Prevention,’ to Native youth all over to make a difference in our communities and make UNITY more accessible to our Northwest youth.”

Savanna Rilatos is 21 years old and a proud member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. Her tribal bands are Galice Creek, Molalla, and Yamhill. She currently attends Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and will graduate in 2020 with degrees in Political Science and Ethnic Studies with a focus in Native/Indigenous Studies. She is applying to the 5th year Masters of Art (MAT) in teaching for the fall of 2020 and then wants to go on to law school to eventually pursue a career in law and policy. She is a 2016 Gates Millennium Scholar, served as her tribes 2018/2019 Miss Siletz, and was selected as a member of UNITY’s 2018 Class of 25 under 25 awardees.

“No matter your past, who your family is, how much money you do or don’t have, you have a hidden gift to share with your peers and people you meet. A leader isn’t someone in the spotlight, but she’s a person who shows empathy, compassion, and service to other people! When another human helps someone, that’s being a leader. It’s going to take a lifetime to master this skill, but that’s where the fun begins!” said Homegun.

Vance Home Gun lives on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Northwest MT, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, where he is an enrolled member. He has gone on to graduate high school and college, studying student leadership and education. Vance has been a very active advocate in preserving his ancestral language and Culture. He currently works as a Salish language instructor in the tribe’s apprenticeship program. But at the very heart of his work and passion: is seeing young Indian people know the Creator, know their language, and know their ancestors.

“All Native Youth are natural-born leaders; we come from generations of resilience and strength. Share your story and struggles, as there is always a Native Youth looking up to you who can relate to you and that in itself is inspiring and makes one a leader,” said Gonzales.

Leticia Lucille Gonzales, 22, is an enrolled member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe in Bishop, California, and resides on the Bishop Paiute Reservation. After attending her first National UNITY Conference in 2011, she was inspired by the work Native Youth were doing and returned to her community eager to help make a difference in Indian Country. Since then, Leticia has been involved in many Native Youth Groups and held various leadership positions, inspiring others to follow her lead! She was a former UNIY Executive Community Member and served as Miss Bishop Paiute Tribe 2016-2017. Currently, Leticia works in her community as the Youth Prevention Worker at the Toiyabe Indian Health Project’s Family Services Department. Being very passionate that Culture is prevention, Leticia is motivated to share the many teachings of her tribe and tribal elders to Native Youth. She can’t wait to travel to your community as a UNITY Peer Guide bringing UNITY closer to you.

“I would tell a fellow Native youth who struggles to see themselves as a leader that even if we don’t know it, we are a people of leadership, where it’s within us. I would also tell them that our people went through struggles that we today couldn’t even imagine fighting. But, they still persevered and fought for all that we have today,” said Wheeler.

Rory Wheeler is a citizen of the Seneca Nation and descendent of the Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (Cayuse). Rory uses his unique work, life, and professional experiences to protect tribal sovereignty, educate and advocate lawmakers on tribal issues, and improve indigenous peoples’ perception, especially in empowering fellow young people to shape their communities through cultural resiliency better. Rory also serves as the Youth Commission Co-President for the National Congress of American Indians and the Youth Advisory Board Vice Chairman for the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, and the Board of Directors for the Association on American Indian Affairs. He is pursuing his education at Niagara University studying Pre-Law/Political Science and is a volunteer emergency medical technician for his Nation.

“I would tell them that the best leaders are servers, that no great leader was built in one day, and that every leader is different. If you take the Initiative to do the right thing, then you are completely capable of being a great leader,” said Bartholomew.

Santana Bartholomew is a member of the Pueblo of Pojoaque in New Mexico. She is the tribal healing to wellness court coordinator at the Youth Path to Wellness (YPTW) under the Pueblo of Pojoaque Tribal Court. YPTW is working to heal youth who struggle with substance use disorder and frequent court involvement. Santana is also an advisor and mentor for the new Pojoaque Youth Empowerment Summer Program and Tribal Youth Council. Her passion lies in working with youth—both in her community and across the country—to build and strengthen confidence, leadership skills, and cultural identity in future leaders across Native America as a whole.

“I would tell them my story. I would tell them how I didn’t grow up with much knowledge of my cultural background and about the first time I spoke publicly at a youth conference, and how nervous I was. Then I would tell them to continue doing things for their community and keep putting themselves out there to make connections with other people. Being a leader doesn’t just happen overnight; it takes time. And somewhere along their journey, they’ll be able to look back and see how far they have come and been proud of who they are, a leader,” said Mitchell.

Audriana Mitchell is a 21-year-old Navajo and Southern Cheyenne and is an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. She currently resides in Mesa, Arizona, where she is attending college at Mesa Community College, studying Communication. Before being selected as a UNITY Peer Guide, Audri was chosen as part of the 2018 UNITY 25 Under 25 awardees during the National UNITY Conference in San Diego, California. Audri is also the current reigning Miss Colorado River Indian Tribes 2018 – 2019; her platform encourages Native youth to learn about their culture and give back to their communities. Audri loves volunteering with her community; she especially enjoys working with the youth and helping them become leaders. Audri is very excited to be selected as a UNITY Peer Guide and can’t wait to be a part of such a fantastic program to help Indigenous youth across the Nation.

“Everyone is a leader of their own lives. It doesn’t take a professional or a good speaker to lead. To be a leader, you have to have self-ignited passion. Everyone believes in something, and everyone wants good things to happen in life. All it takes is one step and one instance of strong-willed passion and standing up for what you believe in to become a leader,” said Church.

Bozho, Makōns Itíbíwín Nijwaw ndezhnekas. Collin Church’s spirit name is the young bear that looks twice. From Bowler, Wisconsin, he strives to be a voice for the youth and empower them to be the best they can be in life. Advocating for issues that native youth face throughout Indian country and working towards providing a better tomorrow is what he aspires to fulfill. As a peer guide, he hopes to implement and assist in many programs focusing on education, substance abuse, suicide prevention, young parenthood, leadership, and language and culture. He knows in this modern era; youth aren’t always able to grow up learning their Culture. However, he believes that if there is a push to preserve traditions and Culture, communities will teach youth who were never given the opportunity. He stands to be an example for Native Americans and Alaskan Native Youth. Over the years, he has been working on providing the youth around him with more opportunities to express themselves and participate in cultural teachings. He makes it a point to help those around him and devote his time to creating a better environment for the next generations of native youth.

“I would tell them that our strongest leaders have had the hardest paths. Tough people are made from tough experiences. These struggles could be preparing them for something bigger, greater in the future,” said Kippenberger.

Cheyenne Kippenberger, formerly Miss Florida Seminole and now Miss Indian World, was crowned April 27 at the Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It’s the first time a Seminole Tribe of Florida member has been crowned Miss Indian World. The 23-year-old from the Hollywood Reservation is the 36th Miss Indian World. She is the daughter of Joe and Susan Kippenberger. Kippenberger graduated from Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale with a degree in accounting. Kippenberger wants to continue to promote Tribal mental health issues, including through her personal experiences. She also wants to shed light on the lack of representation of Indigenous people in education, health care, mass media, and more.

“This is an opportunity for you to help yourself and your community. Understand the history of your tribe. I guarantee that your tribal history includes some resilient, strong ancestors who fought to protect our people. That history is repeating itself today. The only difference is they wore moccasins back then, and everyone is wearing fresh J’s. Do not be fooled. Just because it looks like our time is new and improved does not mean our people are owed what was taken back from us.
You are fighting that same fight. We will continue to keep fighting until our women stop going missing until our men heal until our peers stop wanting to harm themselves until treaty rights are honored, and until our tribal Nation heals. We are the new ancestors, and we must act accordingly. You are a leader. There are too many issues and precious time to not waste in doubting ourselves. Trust your abilities and implement them. You have a whole community that needs you and is rooting for you,” said Noah.

Korbin Storms, Native Village of Unalakleet, AK
“I would tell Native Youth that struggle to see themselves as leaders that they have resiliency in their DNA, that sometimes it takes someone who has been low and lost before to connect to others that are feeling that way, that they have a unique perspective and so much potential to enact change and that the best leaders are those that give hope to others,” said Storms.

This Initiative is supported by a cooperative agreement (2018–TY–FX–K002) between UNITY, Inc. and the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice, and Delinquency Prevention.