Featuring Earth Ambassador: Jizelle Juan (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Western Region)
This month, Earth Ambassador Jizelle Juan embodied the spirit of youth leadership through cultural celebration, civic engagement, and powerful public speaking. As a committed member of the Young River Peoples Council, she took part in two executive board meetings, two general council meetings, and even represented her peers during a virtual exchange with another tribal youth council—building cross-community dialogue and strengthening Indigenous youth networks.
One of her most impactful contributions came when she stood before her Tribal Council to present on two major milestones: her selection as a UNITY Earth Ambassador and the Young River Peoples Council being honored as Youth Council of the Year. With humility and pride, Jizelle shared the importance of uplifting youth leadership within her community. “Our Tribal Council said they want to hear more from us and plan to call on us to share our thoughts and ideas so that we have a voice and a say in our community,” she said.
Beyond governance and meetings, Jizelle played an essential role in showcasing culture and tradition. During a middle school conference, she and her fellow youth council members shared bird songs, with the girls performing bird dancing—an intergenerational expression of O’odham identity. These performances were more than entertainment; they were acts of cultural education and community pride, instilling language, song, and movement into young hearts and minds.
On July 26, Jizelle helped host the community’s O’odham New Year’s event, a vibrant gathering that brought people together to welcome a new cycle in alignment with their traditional calendar. The event served as a cultural and communal touchstone, affirming the strength and resilience of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
Just days later, she took the stage again—this time as part of a youth panel alongside three of her fellow council members. Speaking from the heart, Jizelle and her peers shared their experiences as Native youth and leaders. “I’m really thankful to have been part of the panel because it showed our community how powerful our voices are and that our opinions truly matter,” she said. “Older adults and elders shared kind words, saying it takes courage to speak up and encouraged us to keep going.” That affirmation reinforced her commitment to advocacy and inspired her to keep moving forward.
The UNITY Earth Ambassador Program uplifts Native youth like Jizelle Juan who are making lasting impact in their communities through environmental advocacy, leadership, and cultural preservation. This year’s cohort of Earth Ambassadors is composed of passionate, action-driven young people who are bridging tradition with innovation. As Jizelle proves, when Native youth speak—communities listen. And when they lead with culture and courage, the whole Nation moves forward.