Midwest Region

UNITY Regional Profile

The UNITY Midwest Region Represents Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri. Our goal is to provide a voice for the youth of the Midwest and uphold UNITY’s mission of fostering the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth.

Meet your Representative

Boozhoo/Hello, Kynsie May is a proud citizen of the sovereign Red Lake Nation in northern Minnesota and currently serves as the Chairperson of the Red Lake Nation Youth Council (RLNYC). At 22 years old, she has been an active member of the Youth Council since 2018 and has dedicated herself to creating meaningful opportunities for Native youth while strengthening leadership within her community.

Kynsie’s leadership journey began when she joined the RLNYC as one of only four members, serving as Secretary to help rebuild and grow the council. She continued in that role through two terms before being elected Vice-Chairperson in 2023. In June 2025, she was elected Chairperson, a role she carries with great pride, dedication, and a deep commitment to serving the youth of the Red Lake Nation. Under her leadership, youth participation has grown significantly, with meeting attendance averaging around 30 participants and an increase in community events, workshops, and activities that engage and empower young people.

Throughout her years of service, Kynsie has developed strong skills in meeting facilitation, event planning, workshop leadership, and youth engagement. She has worked alongside inspiring Indigenous leaders from across the country, gaining valuable knowledge and experience that continues to shape her approach to leadership. Through every opportunity, she remains committed to creating welcoming spaces where Native youth feel heard, supported, and empowered to become leaders in their own communities.

Kynsie is also a dedicated participant in the UNITY network, having attended five UNITY National Conferences since 2019. Each conference has strengthened her commitment to the UNITY mission and reinforced the importance of collaboration, cultural pride, and youth leadership. She carries those values into every RLNYC meeting, event, and community initiative, ensuring that Native youth remain at the center of her work.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Kynsie serves as a First Grade Paraprofessional at Endazhi-Nitaawiging Charter School in Red Lake, Minnesota, the first culture- and Ojibwemowin language-based school in her community. Working with young students has strengthened her skills in organization, communication, and youth development while deepening her knowledge of the Ojibwe language and culture. She is also pursuing her Associate’s degree at Red Lake Nation College, with plans to graduate in the coming year.

Balancing her roles as Youth Council Chairperson, educator, and college student reflects Kynsie’s dedication to service and lifelong learning. Grounded in her culture and driven by a passion for empowering Native youth, she is committed to building stronger communities through leadership, education, and collaboration. Her vision is to inspire the next generation of Indigenous leaders while representing the Midwest Region with integrity, inclusivity, and pride.

National UNITY Council Contact Information

MIDWEST REGION

Kynsie May, UNITY Midwest Area Representative

midwest@unityinc.org

National UNITY Council Executive Committee

nucec@unityinc.org

UNITY Youth Councils in the Midwest Region

The National UNITY Network consists of 309 affiliated youth councils in 35 states. The Midwest region has 34 affiliated youth councils in 5 states within the UNITY Network.

Anishinaabe Nimmki Youth Council, Michigan
Bahweting Anishinabek Tribal Youth Council, Michigan
Bay Mills Youth Council, Michigan
Bemidji High School, Minnesota
Cansayapi Youth Council, Minnesota
Central Wisconsin Native American Youth Council, Wisconsin
Chi-Nations Youth Council, Illinois
Chicago’s Indigenous Tribal Youth, Illinois
Gun Lake Tribe Youth Council, Michigan
Hannahville Youth Advisory Council, Michigan
Ho-Chunk Youth Council, Wisconsin
Leech Lake Tribal Youth Council, Minnesota
Maanico Horuzra Youth Council, Minnesota
Malcolm Mavericks Tribal Youth Council, Michigan
Menominee UNITY Council, Wisconsin
Mille Lacs Band Advisory Youth Council, Minnesota
Nanda-Gikendan Youth Council, Wisconsin
Nay Ah Shing School District, Minnesota
Nbiish Be Mwi Jwaang Youth Council, Michigan
Northland Community Schools Indian Education, Minnesota
Nswe Shkwade Youth Council, Michigan
Onamia Public Schools, Minnesota
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan
Red Lake Nation Youth Council, Minnesota
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Youth Council, Michigan
South Washington County Schools, Minnesota
St. Croix Chippewa Youth Council, Wisconsin
Terra Rouge Unity, Iowa
Tomah Ho-Chunk Youth Council, Wisconsin
TrekNorth Jr and Sr High School, Minnesota
Upper Sioux YC-Pehijutazizi Youth Council, Minnesota
Waaniniigaanzijig Youth Council, Michigan
Wabaan Ogimaawag Youth Council, Michigan
Waganakising Eshkiniigijik UNITY Council, Michigan

Meet your Earth Ambassadors

Marla Mesarina, 19
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe / Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Marla Mesarina is a proud descendant of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. A freshman at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Marla is deeply committed to cultural revitalization, youth leadership, and Indigenous language preservation. She served two terms on the UNITY Executive Committee as the Midwest Regional Representative, where she worked to uplift Native youth through advocacy and cultural pride. Marla was also selected for the Youth Leadership Council with the Aanikoobijigeng National Native American Language Resource Center (N-NALRC), focusing on Indigenous language reclamation and empowerment. Passionate about Indigenous food sovereignty, Marla actively shares Ojibwe teachings and her journey of traditional food gathering on social media—creating space for connection, healing, and growth. With each step, Marla continues to be a strong advocate for language, culture, and Native youth empowerment.

McKaylin Peters, 23
Menominee Nation
University of Wisconsin–Madison

McKaylin Peters is a proud citizen of the Menominee Nation from Keshena, Wisconsin. She recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Community & Nonprofit Leadership and certificates in American Indian & Indigenous Studies, Global Health, Languages, and Education. McKaylin now serves as Executive Director of the Chairman’s Office for the Menominee Tribe. Her work is rooted in community, mental health advocacy, and cultural representation. She’s served as a PEOPLE Scholar, Indigenous Student Programming Intern, COUSIN Fellow, and Earth Partnership Fellow—where she focused on incorporating the Menominee language into mental health resources. Her passion for leadership, philanthropy, and storytelling has led her to roles such as Native Youth Grantmaker with Native Americans in Philanthropy, Remembering Our Sisters Fellow, and Fresh Tracks Trainer. She also supported research aimed at increasing philanthropic support for Native communities. McKaylin’s work centers on belonging, healing, and uplifting Indigenous voices. She is honored to serve her community and remains dedicated to creating spaces of strength, resilience, and visibility for Native people.

Néepa Hyde, 14
Shinnecock Nation
Northfield Senior High School

Néepa Wotahomon Hyde is a 14-year-old member of the Shinnecock Nation currently living in Minnesota. She is a freshman at Northfield Senior High School, where she’s involved in student council and plays on the volleyball team. Néepa was recently selected as a 2025–2026 UNITY Earth Ambassador, a role that allows her to lead a community project focused on promoting food sovereignty. She brings three years of experience working with Dream of Wild Health, where she has learned about Indigenous farming practices and the importance of reclaiming traditional food systems. She has also participated in Model UN for two years, sharpening her public speaking and leadership skills. Néepa is passionate about uplifting Native youth voices and building a healthier future through Indigenous knowledge and practices.

Meet Your 25 Under 25

Dylan Dettloff, 21, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Wisconsin

Columbia University; Major: Sustainable Development & Environmental Engineering

Dylan is a senior at Columbia University majoring in Sustainable Development. He is particularly interested in water systems, climate technology, and sustainable infrastructure. At Columbia, Dylan has served as a Teaching Assistant for Intro to Sustainable Development and as the President of the Student Union for Sustainable Development. He is also a Kluge Scholar, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence and interdisciplinary work. Dylan’s research focuses on solar-driven desalination and evaluating water treatment technologies for different environmental and community contexts. He hopes to pursue graduate studies in environmental or hydrological engineering and build a career focused on advancing sustainable water solutions.

Gabriel Spinks, 25, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse, Minnesota

Pursuing Master of Science in Advocacy and Political Leadership; Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, Metropolitan State University

Gabriel Spinks is a Minneapolis-based political strategist and community organizer with a proven track record in campaign management, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing. He has managed competitive electoral campaigns at both the municipal and tribal government levels. Gabriel has also led state-level advocacy efforts focused on education reform, juvenile justice, and youth economic equity, and has worked alongside city and county stakeholders to advance public health policy across Minnesota. His career reflects a consistent commitment to community — shaped by years of public service with the City of Minneapolis and direct work with American Indian youth and families. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Metropolitan State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Advocacy and Political Leadership.

McKaylin Peters, 24, Menominee Indian Tribe, Wisconsin

Pursuing a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Johns Hopkins University; Bachelor of Science in Community & Nonprofit Leadership, University of Wisconsin–Madison

McKaylin Peters (she/her) is a citizen of the Menominee Nation from Keshena, Wisconsin. Raised on the Menominee Reservation, she currently serves as the Executive Director of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. McKaylin earned a Bachelor of Science in Community & Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, along with certificates in American Indian & Indigenous Studies and Global Health, Languages, and Education. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership at Johns Hopkins University. Deeply committed to her community, McKaylin has worked extensively in mental health advocacy, with a particular focus on Indigenous youth and men’s mental health. She serves on the Tribe’s Mental Health Task Force, coaches Tribal Storm 12U Softball, and acts as the Tribal Government Mentor for the Menominee Youth Council, where she is also a founding member. McKaylin is passionate about philanthropy, leadership, and storytelling as tools for community empowerment. She has served as a Native Youth Grantmaker with Native Americans in Philanthropy, a Remembering Our Sisters Fellow with the Center for Native American Youth, a Fresh Tracks Trainer with the Aspen Institute, and an Earth Ambassador with UNITY. She served on an advisory committee for a collaborative research project between Native Americans in Philanthropy and The Bridgespan Group, focused on increasing non-Native philanthropic support for Native communities. Recently she was selected as a 2026 Champion for Change and a 2026 25 Under 25 honoree. McKaylin’s work is grounded in a commitment to fostering belonging, resilience, and authentic cultural representation. She is honored to represent Menominee Nation and remains dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices and initiatives.