Across the Northwest Region, Native youth continue to look toward opportunities for connection, leadership and cultural learning—and Liora Wright-Hill of Oregon is one of those young people eager to build community through UNITY. While not currently part of a youth council, Liora shared a strong interest in becoming more involved with Native youth from across Tribal communities and experiencing the UNITY network for the first time.
As an individual youth member from the Northwest Region (AK, ID, OR, WA), Liora’s annual report reflected a thoughtful desire to learn from others and build meaningful relationships with Native youth representing different Tribal Nations. Their reflections centered on wanting to meet more people in the community, connect with youth from different tribes and better understand the unique teachings, traditions and lived experiences each community carries. That interest in listening, learning and building relationships reflects an important part of Native youth leadership—coming together with respect, curiosity and a willingness to grow.
Liora also shared a strong interest in learning more about cultural teachings and the ways communities experience and express those teachings in different places. While the report did not include participation in a youth council project this year, the desire to deepen cultural understanding and connect with Native youth across communities highlights the importance of spaces like UNITY, where young people can gather, share perspectives and strengthen relationships rooted in identity and belonging.
For many Native youth, leadership begins with the decision to step forward, ask questions and seek out community. Liora’s report speaks to that beginning—wanting to connect, learn and be part of something larger. That openness to new experiences and commitment to learning from other Native youth is an important foundation for future leadership and community involvement.
UNITY’s mission continues to create space for youth from all backgrounds and experiences—whether longtime youth council leaders or young people attending for the first time. Liora’s interest in participating reflects the spirit of UNITY: bringing Native youth together to build relationships, strengthen cultural pride and support the next generation of Indigenous leaders across Tribal Nations.
