From cultural events to language revitalization and community wellness advocacy, Marla Mesarina of Minnesota continues to uplift Native youth voices across the Midwest Region through leadership, public speaking and service. As an individual UNITY member, Marla has used her experiences as a college student and community advocate to help create spaces that celebrate Indigenous identity, strengthen wellness and encourage Native youth success.
One of Marla’s major contributions this year was helping organize her university’s annual Social Dance on December 6, 2025, at the Bell Museum in Minneapolis. The event welcomed approximately 600 attendees and centered on Social Wellness through cultural celebration and community gathering. Marla took part in planning the large-scale event, which brought together hand drum singers, dancers and community members for an evening grounded in cultural traditions. The gathering also included a nourishing community meal, helping create an environment where people could connect, celebrate and strengthen community relationships through culture and shared experience.
Marla also played an important role in advancing conversations around Indigenous language revitalization. On March 26, 2026, she participated in the National Native American Language Resource Center Workshop at the Lower Sioux Reservation in Morton, Minnesota. During the workshop, Marla and the director of the National Native American Language Resource Center, Leslie Harper, presented on the importance of language revitalization and ways educators and community members can incorporate Native languages into schools, workplaces and everyday life. Marla was also invited to serve on a panel during the Ojibwe/Dakota Language Symposium, where she shared her personal story and voiced concerns and perspectives surrounding language revitalization for Native youth. The experience highlighted her growing leadership in advocacy and cultural preservation.
Throughout the year, Marla also continued uplifting Native students and wellness initiatives in her community. On June 30, 2025, she served as emcee for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Graduation Celebration at Cedar Lakes Casino, where she shared her journey after completing her first year of college and encouraged fellow Indigenous students as they celebrated their educational achievements. Earlier that week, on June 26, Marla was invited by Tribal leadership to speak at the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Wellness Center Opening, where she addressed the importance of wellness resources for Native youth and the broader community. Both events reflected her ability to connect with audiences while advocating for youth wellbeing, education and community growth.
Looking ahead, Marla shared interest in gaining more support through collaborative platforms and opportunities that help Native youth amplify their voices and share their work with larger audiences. She also emphasized the importance of advisor trainings and continued mentorship opportunities. Through cultural leadership, advocacy and community engagement, Marla’s work reflects UNITY’s mission to empower Native youth as leaders who strengthen their communities while honoring culture, wellness and Indigenous identity.
