About The UNITY Midyear Conference
More than 700 Native American and Alaska Native youth (ages 12-24) and advisors will gather in Phoenix, AZ in early February for the 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference.
The 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference will provide three days of professional leadership development, highlighting community service and advocacy for Indigenous communities. Native American and Alaska Native youth will continuously engage with one another through a variety of professional development workshops and breakout sessions, as well as extracurricular activities that include the sharing of culture, music and art. The focus for the 2025 Midyear curriculum is digital storytelling. Stay tuned for more details about “Digitizing Youth Voices. Inspiring Indigenous Stories.”
UNITY is excited to host several speakers and presenters that are passionate in supporting community service and advocacy throughout Native Country. Through a variety of programmatic activities, team building and collaboration, our Native youth leaders will actively engage with one another, brainstorming and building on new ideas to create change within their respective communities.
General Assembly
Social Nights
SAVE ON 2025 REGISTRATION FEES - PAY NOW WITH UNUSED FUNDS!
Are you wondering what to do with unused youth program funding for 2024? UNITY is happy to work with you! Below are the conference registration rates for 2025. If you wish to use any remaining End of Year funds, please consider paying for youth and adult registration fees in advance. If you have any questions about conference registrations, please contact LorenAshley Buford at La.buford@unityinc.org or Tami Patterson today at t.patterson@unityinc.org.
UNITY Midyear Conference 2025
February 7 – 9 (Pre-conference activities Feb. 6)
Phoenix, AZ
Discounted (Nov. 1 – Jan. 7) $450
Full Rate (Jan. 8 – Feb. 7) $500
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
340 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Phone: (602) 262-2500
Remember to mention "UNITY" when booking your hotel to take advantage of discounted rates
Conference Hotel
TESTIMONIALS
2025 UNITY MIDYEAR CONFERENCE TRAINERS
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Thomas Lee Ghost Dog Jr.
Project Coordinator We R Native
2025 UNITY MIDYEAR CONFERENCE FEATURED SPEAKERS
1st PANEL DISCUSSION
Native Youth Digital Storytellers Panel Friday, Feb 7th
2nd PANEL DISCUSSION
Indigenous Stories of Hope Panel Discussion Saturday, Feb 8th
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Kusem Goodwind (Coeur d’Alene)
READ BIO
Kusem Goodwind is a fast-rising actor, model, and public speaker. He made his acting debut in the Netflix film REZ BALL, produced by Lebron James, directed by Sydnee Freeland, and written by Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs). The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Goodwind plays ‘Nataanii Jackson,’ the team’s star player who struggles with depression. His breakout performance has resonated with audiences and he has used this platform to speak on mental health and its impact. Goodwind is of Coeur d’Alene and Nez Perce descent.
Corey Stills, Ph.D (United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians)
READ BIO
Dr. Corey M. Still, an enrolled member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, is an accomplished educator, researcher, and advocate for Indigenous education. With a Ph.D. in
Educational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma, he specializes in Indigenous research methodologies, higher education policy, and student affairs. Currently the Senior Research and
Training Director at One Fire Associates, Dr. Still has published widely and is a recognized speaker on Indigenous leadership and education. His work continues to bridge cultural knowledge and academic spaces, advancing opportunities for Native students nationwide.
Colton Shone (Navajo)
Mary Kim Titla (San Carlos Apache)
READ BIO
Mary Kim Titla, San Carlos Apache, has served as a Native American youth advocate for more than 30 years. She’s served as UNITY’s Executive Director since 2013 and prior to that served as a Trustee. A former TV News broadcaster, she spent most of her career working for NBC affiliate stations in Arizona. She estimates telling as many as 5,000 stories during her career receiving awards from the Associated Press, Arizona Press Club and the Native American Journalists Association. After leaving TV News, she spent nearly five years working as a Communications Officer and Administrator for the San Carlos Unified School District in the community where she was born and raised. Mary Kim has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and two Masters degrees, one in Mass Communications and another for Education Leadership and Supervision, from Arizona State University.
FEATURED EVENTS
ROUND DANCES
HEALING CIRCLE PRE-CONFERENCE TRAINING
MOCK-PAGEANT SIGN UP
PRE-CONFERENCE ASU CAMPUS TOURS
More Conference Information:
Exhibitors - Your involvement will enhance the experience for attendees!
Package Rates
⟐ Vendor $500.00
⟐ Tribal Enterprise/Non-profit $600.00
⟐ Government Corporations/For-profit $1,000.00
⟐ Education/Career Day (1 day) $300
⟐ Meet up to 750 Native Youth, ages 14-24 and their adult advisor
⟐ Education & Career Expo – Saturday
⟐ Speed workshop presentations
⟐ All day and evening activities
⟐ Cultural Sharing Night open to the community and public
Each Exhibitor/Vendor Booth Will Include
⟐ One (1) 6-ft table
⟐ Two (2) Chairs-ft table
⟐ Two (2) non-transferable registrations
More Conference Information:
WHAT IS A SPEED WORKSHOP?
MORE INFORMATION
2025 UNITY Midyear Speed Workshop Application
Thank you for your interest in conducting a speed workshop at the 2025 Midyear UNITY Conference taking place February 7 – 9 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown in Phoenix, Arizona.
Speed Workshop Day: Saturday, February 8, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Submission Deadline: Friday, November 15, 2024 at 5:00 PM
What is a Speed Workshop?
Similar to the concept of speed dating, presenters will have 25 minutes with each group of 10-12 Native youth participants. You will be required to present on your topic for four (4) consecutive rounds. The youth will rotate between tables of topics that interest them. The participants come to the tables and you will present your topic for about 15 minutes, then the remaining 10 minutes, you engage the participants in discussion about your topic. Your job is to carry the discussion and to make sure everyone has a better understanding of the topic at the end of 25 minutes.
Please remember that this format of “workshopping” is meant to keep your audience engaged and feeling comfortable enough to contribute to the discussion. It’s also meant to share and learn in a safe and positive atmosphere. Have fun in this new way of presenting your information.
Subject matters may include (but not limited to):
CAREER: Higher Education, Fellowship Programs, STEM-related Education, Politics and Leadership, and Financial Planning
CULTURE: Language and Culture Retention Programs/Models, Using the Arts as a Means of Retaining Culture, Historic Preservation, and Using Culture as a Means to Live a Healthy Life;
ENVIRONMENT: Global Warming, Environmental Issues Confronting Tribal Communities, Careers and Opportunities in Environmental Sciences, Political Issues Involving Our Planet;
HEALTH: Physical, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Violence, Wellness Programs, Fitness and Active Lifestyles.
STORYTELLING: Mediums of Art, Music, Writing, Zine Making, News, Vlogging, Performing Arts, Fashion,
UNITY serves Native American and Alaska Native youth ages 14-24 years old. Your content should be appealing and directed to youth in this age range. There is high interest in Peer-to-Peer workshops. Youth and youth councils are encouraged to submit proposals.
Workshop submissions will be confirmed no later than December 15, 2024.
Email questions to Audri Mitchell at a.mitchell@unityinc.org.
Please note:
Honorariums are not provided for workshop presenters.
All presenters are responsible for supplying copies of any handouts.
No Audiovisual opportunities are available.
You may bring any handouts, props, or visuals that fit on your tabletop.
A One-Day Conference Pass is provided on Day-Of the workshop presentations only (for presenters).
To experience the Midyear Conference in its entirety, we ask that you please register and pay for full registration.
Thank you for your interest.