For Alina Sanchez (Miwok – Wilton Rancheria), leadership this summer meant connecting deeply with culture while preparing her peers for the school year ahead. After attending the June 26–July 1 National UNITY Conference in San Diego — a week of workshops, regional caucuses, and relationship-building — she brought her leadership home to the Pacific region.
With the Native Sisters Circle, Alina participated in four hours of handstick creation and handgame demonstration workshops, an experience she called “so incredible to connect with female Native youth and learn the practices of our culture.” These cultural exchanges strengthened bonds and preserved traditions vital to the identity of Native youth.
As the President of her school’s Student Government, Alina also hosted and attended three meetings in July to prepare for the upcoming school year. She led her team through idea and goal setting, outlined class and school priorities, created a yearly calendar, rehearsed and delivered a freshman introduction, and organized a full meeting with the executive team and representatives. “It was important to plan ahead and entirely prepare ourselves for the upcoming school year, especially as an incoming senior!” she said.
Through both cultural engagement and academic leadership, Alina is embodying UNITY’s vision to develop Native youth leaders who honor their heritage while preparing for a bright future.
