Gabriel Loonsfoot, 17
Tribe: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
Youth Council: Pokagon Band Native Nations Youth Council
Bozho, ndénwemagnek newij neshnabé mine shna jayék bémadzet. Déwégen Nene Ndezhnekas. Odawa, Ojibwé, Gigabé, mine Bodéwadmi ndowe. Pokegnék ndepndogwes. Mko Ndodem. Owashtanung ndozhbiye. Bowating ndede otopi.
Hello, my relatives and all who walk in a good way. My name is Gabriel Loonsfoot, also known as Déwégen Nene (Drum Man), and I am a proud citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. I am running for the position of UNITY Midwest Representative because I believe it is time to shine a brighter light on the urgent issues impacting our Midwest communities and elevate the voices that have too often gone unheard.
My journey of leadership began over 10 years ago as an active participant in our Tribal Youth Council. At age 14, I was appointed to an official role, becoming the youngest officer in our council’s 40-year history. Since then, I have completed two terms as Member-at-Large and currently serve as Vice Chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Native Nations Youth Council, a role I’ve proudly held since 2024.
Education has also played a vital role in shaping who I am. I began my schooling at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science and currently attend Buchanan High School. Inspired by a desire to protect our homelands, I founded our Youth Council’s Environmental Advocacy Program and have worked to create meaningful programs such as our After School and Summer initiatives for Native youth, including a Boys & Girls Club partnership.
My leadership has also taken cultural form. I am the founder of my Tribe’s Annual Winter Round Dance, and I sing as the lead of Shkwe-Noodin (Young Wind), a drum group named in honor of my late grandfather, Roger Williams—Kche Noodin (Great West Wind)—a founding figure of our tribe and a powerful advocate for language and cultural revitalization. I also sing with the contest drum Zemba Odan (Ribbon Town), and created our Youth Council’s Youth Drum, inspired by the UNITY Drum, to provide cultural grounding and mentorship to younger singers.
My commitment to youth mental health and wellness led to my nomination to attend the first-ever SAMHSA Youth Summit in Rockville, Maryland in 2024, joining with regional UNITY representatives from across the country to discuss critical solutions for our communities.
Community service is a cornerstone of my life. Whether helping distribute Halloween candy to over 100 tribal households, cleaning highways annually, or supporting youth in their first cultural and leadership experiences, I strive to be of service in both big and small ways. Most recently, I was honored to be named 1st Runner-Up in the 2025–26 UNITY Mr. UNITY Mock Pageant.
Participating in UNITY for nearly seven years, I’ve come to realize how often the Midwest region’s voice is missing from the conversations that matter most. I want to honor and build upon the leadership of past Midwest Representatives like Marla Mesarina, Angelina Serna, Mary Bush, and Anthony Tamez—trailblazers who have shaped a stronger presence for our region. But despite this progress, we still fall short in representation compared to other regions, and that must change.
As Midwest Representative, I will reach out to every youth council and Native community I can. I will work tirelessly to create space for our voices, foster intertribal communication, and ensure every Native youth knows they are seen, heard, and supported. Representation matters—but so does cultural reclamation. I am deeply committed to helping our youth reconnect with language and tradition, especially those who feel disconnected or lack mentors to guide them.
This campaign is not just about holding a title—it is about taking action, uplifting others, and continuing the drumbeat of tradition and progress. Together, we can build a future where every Native youth knows their identity, finds their voice, and leads with strength.