The Native America Hear Our Voices Arise (NAHOVA) Youth Council from the Nez Perce Tribe has been named the 2024 UNITY Youth Council of the Year, an honor recognizing their remarkable community impact. Embodying UNITY’s mission of inspiring hope and changing lives, NAHOVA overcame recruitment challenges and achieved significant growth. Their standout accomplishments include organizing the Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) and addressing youth mental health in their community. The council’s efforts truly reflect the spirit of UNITY.
For more information, visit Nez Perce Tribal News.
As their Advisor wrote: “On July 2nd NAHOVA and SFS staff attended the Gala. The night begins with a Fashion Show and transitions into an awards night. There is much anticipation for the UNITY Advisor of the Year and Youth Council of the Year awards. This year as the speaker announced the awards, they displayed the awardee name and tribe on the big screens, and as they announced Youth Council of the Year, the Nez Perce Tribe NAHOVA name popped up on the screen. NAHOVA members were seated at three tables and each table jumped up in joy! In the video you could hear kids saying, ‘we did it!’ There were many smiles and occasional warhoops, as well as tears of happiness. It is a quite an accomplishment for this group of young leaders, especially in a short three-year period, they accomplished a lot of good things! They are well-deserving.”
In their annual Youth Council report to UNITY, NAHOVA shared how they were reaching their community in vital ways. The judges, made up of tribal leaders, professors and esteemed UNITY alumni from across the nation, noted how NAHOVA was building their Native youth leaders by engaging in the four pillars of wellness to revitalize their nation.
In April 2024, NAHOVA organized the first-ever Nimiipuu Community Healing Gathering, focused on the opioid crisis, as part of their commitment to Spiritual Wellness. “With recent overdoses and many close calls, the community was in need of healing,” shared the council, highlighting their role in bringing this vital event to the Nez Perce reservation.
NAHOVA also tackled Mental Wellness by distributing over 700 bags of candy with 988 crisis line information during Halloween. They raised awareness about the rising suicide rates on their reservation and held public presentations, including Talking Circles, to address mental health crises.
Their dedication to Social Wellness was reflected in organizing a free family BBQ that served over 500 youth and their families, bringing the community together for a joyful and bonding experience.
Furthermore, NAHOVA contributed to Physical Wellness by supporting the Nez Perce Tribe’s Students for Success prevention programming. From hiking to traditional food gathering, NAHOVA members assisted with youth supervision and guidance on activities, ensuring a healthy and active community.
NAHOVA’s efforts have clearly embodied UNITY’s core values, making them a true beacon of leadership and community empowerment. Their projects continue to make a profound impact, fostering healing, awareness, and unity within their community.