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.
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
Remember to mention "UNITY" when booking your hotel to take advantage of discounted rates
Conference Hotel
TESTIMONIALS
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
Speed Workshops
WHAT IS A SPEED WORKSHOP?
Similar to speed dating, presenters will have 25 minutes with each group of 10-12 Native youth participants. You will be required to present 4 times. The youth will rotate between tables of topics that interest them. The participants come to the table. You present your topic for about 15 minutes, then, for the remaining 10 minutes you engage the participants in discussion questions 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 the 25 minute period.Please remember – 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 to learn in a safe and positive atmosphere. Have fun with this new way of presenting your information.
Please note: Honorariums are not provided for workshop presenters. A One-Day Conference Pass is provided on Day-Of workshop presentation only (for presenters). To experience the Midyear Conference in its entirety, please register and pay for full registration. Email questions to LorenAshley at la.buford@unityinc.org
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.