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The UNITY National Conference

The National UNITY Conference is an impactful five-day youth-led annual event held every July in a pre-selected region of the U.S. About 2,500 Native youth and advisors are expected to attend the 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (July 8 – 12). The National UNITY Conference complete with general sessions, regional caucuses, workshops, career/education fair, and fun evening activities provides hands-on leadership development activities and where the National UNITY Council conducts elections and its annual business meeting. The national conference is a place where Native youth voice is encouraged and valued. All activities are planned with safety in mind.
In addition, UNITY offers unique youth programming through its UNITY Fire and UNITY Drum. The UNITY Fire, which burns 24-7 during the annual conference and led by alumni fire keepers, is used for social and prayer purposes and has provided conference attendees an opportunity for support, healing and spiritual nourishment. The fire is meant for all beliefs and religions to share their “Good Medicine” with other participants. The UNITY Drum, also led by alumni, is an open drum with roots in the southern style of powwow singing. All youth singers are encouraged to bring their drumsticks to join in. While youth leaders meet, advisors and adults who work with youth are also involved in intense training and networking activities. Adult training may include building rapport, peer-to-peer sharing, conflict resolution, approaches to youth work, and more.
Affiliated Youth Councils and individual members are eligible for registration discounts. Become a member today!

National Conference Agenda

Early Bird (Oct – Nov 30): $250

Advanced (Dec 1 – May 31): $350

Full Rate (Jun 1 – Onsite): $450

Featured Speakers

Line up coming soon!

Hilton Minneapolis

1001 Marquette Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403, US

1-800-HILTONS

We are now accepting hotel reservations for our upcoming event. Through this website you can book, modify or cancel your hotel reservations and receive updated information about the event. We look forward to seeing you!
Remember to mention "UNITY" when booking your hotel to take advantage of discounted rates

Exhibitors - UNITY Is all about providing resources and opportunities to Native Youth!

July 8-12 Minneapolis, Minnesota

Package Rates

Tribal/Tribal Enterprise, Non-Profit (4-days) – $750.00
Government, Corporation, Education (4-days) – $1,250.00
Education and Career Fair Expo Exhibitor (1-day) – $300.00
Bag stuffing – $500
 
Bag Stuffing Includes:
Limited to 10 per conference           
Informational Items (brochures, flyers, booklets, etc.)
Promotional Items   (pens, hand sanitizer, note pads, etc.)
 
For more information please contact Tami Patterson t.patterson@unityinc.org

Each Exhibitor/Vendor Booth Will Include


10’x10’ booth space with Pipe and Drape: 8’ high back wall drape, 3’ high side drape
One (1) 8’ draped table
Two (2) side chairs
One (1) 7” x 44” booth identification sign

Outreach Opportunity

Meet up to 1,800 Native Youth, ages 14-24 and their adult advisors
Education and Career Expo
Workshop presentation opportunity 
Day and evening activities 
Cultural Sharing Night open to the community and public 

Set up information and schedule coming soon.

Workshops

Thank you for your interest in conducting a speed workshop at the 2021 National UNITY Conference in Minneapolis, MN.
Submissions are now open for workshops for United National Indian Tribal Youth’s (UNITY) National Leadership Conference, July 8-12, 2022, in Minneapolis. In addition, early bird conference registration offered at a discounted rate is available through May 31.
Presenters will have 45 minutes to present on a specific topic with a 15-minute break in between sessions. There will be seven rounds of the presentations between two days, giving attendees the opportunity to explore their preferred workshops. Past topics have included higher education, politics, and leadership, using the arts as a means of retaining culture, environmental issues confronting tribal communities, wellness programs, and others.
This format of workshops is meant to engage Native youth participants and to learn in a safe and positive environment. UNITY encourages potential presenters to be fun and creative with their submissions and topics.
Registration dates and prices to attend the National Conference are as follows:
Through May 31, 2022: $350 advance registration
June 1 through onsite registration: $450 full rate

Sponsorship Opportunties

Conference program advertisements are due no later than Friday, June 10, 2022.
Video/commercial submissions are due no later than Wednesday, June 15, 2022

FAQ

When registering, you may create an account that will allow you to make changes. Changes can be made up until the online registration deadline.  If participant names are unknown when first registering, simply put “TBD”. (TBD = To Be Determined)
Yes, as long as the cancellation occurs before July 1st. There will be a $25 cancellation fee per each individual registration.
There will be no on-site registration this year. Please register ahead of time.
No, registration will be forfeited with no future conference credit.
All youth participants ages 14-24 must be chaperoned.
Yes, all participants, including chaperones are required to have a name badge to access all sessions.
No, there will not be a one day conference fee available.
UNITY will follow CDC guidelines. Masks are recommended among those who are not vaccinated.
Social distancing will be encouraged during this event. There will be hand sanitizers widely available during this event.  Advisors! Please note, if someone begins to exhibit covid symptoms, they will be asked to self quarantine in their hotel rooms.

No, COVID-19 vaccines are not required for attendance. UNITY will abide by CDC guidelines for the duration of the conference. If you received a COVID-19 vaccine, you may consider keeping proof of your vaccination with you.

The banquet fee is included for each registration. If a registered attendee wishes to bring a guest, you can pay for an additional banquet ticket online.

Yes, when registering please note the Purchase Order or indicate a pending purchase order. A purchase order will hold the current rate until payment is received for a fee of $25 and must be paid within 60 days. 

Yes, casual to business casual.  The dress code is similar to a school dress code.

All rooms at the Hilton Resort are Suites that come with double beds and a sofa with a pull out bed, which can accommodate 4 – 6 people. However, there is only one bathroom. A King bed Suite includes a sofa sleeper (2 -4 people).

No other host hotel will be available with a conference rate.

There are limited hotel rooms available prior to and after the conference on a first come first served basis.

There is no free hotel shuttle service. You may try ride sharing apps like Uber or Lyft or Taxi service. Depending on the time of day, the cost one-way may be $20 – $30 depending on the type of vehicle you require.

The Hilton at the Peak is approximately almost 10 miles from Sky Harbor Airport.

No, you are welcome to attend as an individual.  We encourage all youth councils to find out how to become affiliated and take advantage of the benefits, otherwise you are welcome to attend as a group or individual, affiliated or not.

Yes, however, parents and advisors must consider whether topics and length of sessions are age appropriate.

Yes, you can participate in our conference, however, per the National UNITY Council Constitution and Bylaws, youth participants who wish to vote in the business meeting are required to be a U.S. citizen.  You may be an observer if you are not a U.S. citizen.

The weather will be very pleasant with lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s.

Exhibitors and workshop presenters must specify ahead of time if they have any audio or visual needs. A charge may apply.

Chairs and a podium will be provided.

Parking is free at the hotel site.  

Attractions include:

Phoenix Zoo https://www.phoenixzoo.org/

Biltmore Fashion Mall https://www.shopbiltmore.com/

Heard Museum https://heard.org/

Desert Botanical Garden https://dbg.org/

Pueblo Grande Museum https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/arts-culture-history/pueblo-grande

Butterfly Wonderland https://butterflywonderland.com/

Odysea Aquarium https://www.odyseaaquarium.com/

The Hotel will offer indoor dining and grab and go options. There are some fast food places within walking distance but some are limited to weekday and business hours. The nearest mall, Biltmore Fashion Mall is 2.6 miles away, which offers fast food options.

Phoenix Indian Medical Center https://www.ihs.gov/phoenix/healthcarefacilities/phoenix/ is an Indian Health Service facility. It is located 4.5 miles away from the hotel. The nearest medical facility to the hotel is the John C. Lincoln Medical Center, which is 2 miles away.

Info

Important dates to remember and information is being gathered and will be placed here soon.

Past UNITY Conference Videos