Rhiannon Eaglespeaker, 18
Tribe: Blackfoot, Kiowa
Youth Council: BTSC(Billings student tribal council)
Rhiannon EagleSpeaker/WhiteShield, 18, is a proud member of the Kainai (Blackfoot/Blood), Kiowa, Arapaho, and Southern Cheyenne tribes. Enrolled with the Blackfoot in both the United States and Canada, Rhiannon was born in Browning, Montana, and holds dual citizenship in both countries. She is the daughter of Charles EagleSpeaker and Crystal WhiteShield and is currently completing her senior year at Billings Senior High School, where she also takes college-level courses.
Deeply rooted in tradition, Rhiannon comes from a family that practices powwow dancing, gourd dancing, Sundance, beading, quilling, and regalia making. Her cultural upbringing has been a guiding force in her personal and academic journey, shaping her sense of identity and leadership.
At school, Rhiannon serves as president of both the Billings Student Tribal Council and the All Nations Club, where she advocates for Native student voices and helps organize events that promote cultural awareness and unity. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to her community and to fostering representation for Indigenous students.
Although her first UNITY conference was in mid-2025, Rhiannon describes the experience as eye-opening and inspiring. After years of hearing about UNITY but being too busy to attend, her time in Arizona reaffirmed her desire to be involved. Motivated by the energy of the gathering and encouraged by former Rocky Mountain Region Representative O’Shay, who personally invited her to apply for leadership.
She hopes to represent not only Montana and Wyoming Native youth but also Indigenous youth in Canada who may not yet know about UNITY and the opportunities it provides. The experience helped her recognize her potential and the value of stepping into leadership roles within larger Native communities. Additionally, she draws inspiration from close friends like Watson Whitford, whose own journey continues to encourage her to grow.
Rhiannon’s goal is to bring visibility to Native youth across state and national borders and to help them discover the same sense of empowerment and connection that UNITY gave her. With a strong foundation in tradition, education, and leadership, she is committed to serving and uplifting the voices of Indigenous youth across regions.