NorthWestern Region

UNITY Regional Profile

The Northwest Region consists of geographical areas and the states of Alaska, Oregon, Idaho and Washington, . The Northwest region has 45 affiliated youth councils in 4 states within the UNITY Network.

2024 Fall Native Youth Meetup

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UNITY News: Northwest Updates

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Northwest Regional Representative: Mazie Countryman

Mazie Countryman – UNITY Northwest Area Representative

Tribes: Northern Arapaho/Eastern Shoshone/Shoshone Bannock/Navajo

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Meet your Representative

Mazie Countryman is from the Northern Arapaho, Eastern Shoshone, Shoshone Bannock, and the Navajo Nation. Ms. Countryman is a full-time student at Idaho State University majoring and working towards her bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. While she attends college as a full-time student, she devotes her time to the Fort Hall Youth Council serving as President. Mazie is also a 2024 Brave Heart Fellow for the Center for Native American Youth. The Brave Heart Fellowship works to uplift youth voices while addressing the representation gap and inequities facing Indigenous Peoples in the fight for climate justice. Mazie is also proudly a part of the 2024 International Youth Leadership Coalition in the U.S. Department of State. Mazie was also a Girl Scout for 8 years and still carries the values of the Girl Scout motto in her everyday life which is being honest, fair, considerate, helpful, and kind. She is an active member of her community and is committed to making a difference everyday. She believes service is an important way to give back and help others. Mazie’s passion for service is inspiring, and she is always looking for new ways to get involved and make an impact. Mazie loves to excel in every opportunity that comes her way. One of those was Mazie passing and becoming certified as a pharmacy technician when she was a senior in high school. Throughout all of her achievements, she has stayed positive and persevered to get the job done. Ms. Countryman served as the 2023-2024 Northwest Area Representative for the National Unity executive committee; representing Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. Although Ms. Countryman is a representative of the Northwest region, she wants everyone to know she will still support and advocate for native youth all across Indian country. Ms. Countryman is very passionate about native youth and believes they are the future. Whether she is mentoring, volunteering, at school, etc., she is always finding ways to support and empower young native youth, her dedication to this cause is truly inspiring. Mazie’s passion, confidence, determination, commitment, and natural talent for problem-solving; make her a natural leader. Ms. Countryman believes that everyone deserves equal opportunities and access to resources, regardless of their background or circumstances. Mazie wants everyone to know that she is open to meeting new people and is looking forward to this upcoming year to serve as the 2024- 2025 Northwest Area Representative!

National UNITY Council Contact Information

NORTHWEST REGION

Mazie Countryman, Northwest Regional Representative

mc.northwest@unityinc.org

National UNITY Council Executive Committee

nucec@unityinc.org

UNITY Youth Councils in the Northwest Region

Northwest Region Youth Councils

Regional Youth Advisory Council (RYAC)
Togiak UNITY YC “The Beat Goes On”
Native Village of Eyak
Yaghanen Youth Council
Qikiqtagruk Inupiaq Youth Council
Tanana Chiefs Conference Emerging Leaders Advisory Council
Leaders of Tomorrow
Aniak Traditional Youth Center
Aleut UNITY Tribal Youth Council
Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal YC
Native Village of Port Heiden
Coeurd’Alene Tribal Youth Council
Fort Hall Youth Council
Burns Paiute Tribe Youth Leadership Council
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
Siletz Youth Council
Cow Creek Tribal Youth Council
Many Nations as One Youth Council
The Klamath Tribes Youth Council
Chemawa Indian School Student Council
Cowlitz Indian Tribe Youth Council
Elwha Tribal Youth Council
Kiis Council
Nevplelem Youth Council
Nooksack Tribal Teen Council
Tulalip Youth Counci
Inchelium Youth Council
Kalispel Youth Council
Colville Tribes’ Omak District Youth Council
Nisqually Youth Council
Quinault Teen Council
Suquamish Youth Council
Swinomish Youth Council
River Ridge High School YC
Yakama Nation Youth Council
Toppenish Youth Council
Clover Park School Dist. Native Pride YC
Omak District Youth Council
Puyallup Tribal Youth Council
Squaxin Island Tribe
Chehalis Tribal Youth Council

Meet your 25 Under 25

Faith Iukes, 14, Tulalip, Washington

School: Sophomore, Penn Foster

Platform: Organizing a collaborative diabetes prevention program with the local YMCA in Marysville, WA. The program will feature fitness and nutrition workshops designed to promote diabetes prevention, including exercise classes and cooking demonstrations tailored to healthy eating. Community members will be encouraged to participate actively in these sessions to foster a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, partnering with healthcare professionals will enable the provision of screenings and informational sessions on diabetes management. This initiative aims to create a supportive environment for those at risk of diabetes, leveraging the YMCA’s resources and community outreach to enhance overall well-being.

Gabriel Jurado, 19, Siletz, Oregon

School: Junior, Oregon State University; Major: Oceanography; Minor: Marine Biology

Platform: I plan to organize a youth council activity to learn traditional food gathering practices, either along the coast to collect mussels or at a camas plot. This initiative aims to preserve and pass on essential knowledge from our elders about gathering and preparing traditional foods, which is at risk of being lost as elders age. To facilitate this, I will collaborate with the female co-president to schedule a gathering in November and work with our culture and elders departments for guidance and preparation. The project will start with outreach to these departments in July to handle logistics and secure shellfish licenses for up to 30 youth. Following the gathering, we will return to the Siletz community center for a lesson on preparing the food from elders and host a community meal to share the food collected. I will lead the project, sharing responsibilities with the co-president and seeking additional help as needed.

Sophia Turning Robe, 21, Spokane/Siksika, Washington

School: Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science (2024), Whitworth University

Platform: As a Native American student at a university with a small Native population, I am initiating the Indigenous Futures Collective to address the challenges of cultural disconnection and isolation. This club will unite Native youth from local schools to foster community, pride, and academic support. Activities will include academic tutoring, cultural workshops on traditional practices, community service projects, and peer support sessions. My role will involve overseeing the planning and execution of these activities, recruiting volunteers, securing resources, and evaluating the club’s impact through ongoing feedback and assessment.

Crystal

“Being here with UNITY is such a great experience. You get to meet so many new people and learn more about different tribes and their cultures.””

Marisa

“The gathering, the sharing of cultures, the UNITY of our people!”

Greg

“Our YOUTH is the future!”

Fefe

“It’s the best place to be open about what you think and what you want to do for your school or community. They make you feel like family and welcome you openly.”

Darlene

“Great organization that allows empowerment for the Native youth to excel in leadership skills, networking opportunity, and early professional growth.”

Kay

“Awesome for youth group & leadership.”