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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.

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Northwest

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UNITY News: Northwest Updates

Northwest Regional Representative: Tia Butler

Tia Butler – UNITY Northwest Area Representative

Tribes: Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon

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Tia Butler is a proud citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the newly elected Northwest Area Representative for the National UNITY Council Executive Committee. 

She is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science at the University of Oregon with minors in Law and Policy and Native American Studies, with aspirations to enter the field of law.

This summer, Tia is serving as the Food Sovereignty Program Assistant for the Siletz Tribe, supporting initiatives that promote traditional foods and self-sustaining practices. She also serves as the Female Co-President of the Siletz Tribal Youth Council, where she leads youth-driven service projects and cultural programming that promote identity, wellness, and connection.

Tia is deeply involved in policy advocacy with a focus on protecting traditional plants and medicines, land and water rights, and access to traditional hunting and fishing practices. She is a 2025 Next Gen Intern with Save Our Wild Salmon, working on restoration efforts in the Columbia River Basin. Her previous honors include serving as a 2023 UNITY Earth Ambassador and being named a 2024 Brave Heart Fellow through the Center for Native American Youth.

Passionate about cultural revitalization, Tia uses her platform to strengthen connections among Native youth and elevate their voices. She believes that leadership is rooted in community, culture, and creating safe spaces for young people to come together, address pressing issues, and develop meaningful solutions.

“For me, leadership is not about being the best,” Tia says, “but about empowering youth and advocating for wellness through cultural teachings.”

Through her service, Tia Butler continues to model what it means to lead with purpose, humility, and a vision for collective healing and Indigenous resurgence.

NORTHWEST REGION

Mazie Countryman, Northwest Regional Representative

mc.northwest@unityinc.org

National UNITY Council Executive Committee

nucec@unityinc.org

Northwest Region Youth Councils

  1. Regional Youth Advisory Council (RYAC)
  2. Togiak UNITY YC “The Beat Goes On”
  3. Native Village of Eyak
  4. Yaghanen Youth Council
  5. Qikiqtagruk Inupiaq Youth Council
  6. Tanana Chiefs Conference Emerging Leaders Advisory Council
  7. Leaders of Tomorrow
  8. Aniak Traditional Youth Center
  9. Aleut UNITY Tribal Youth Council
  10. Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal YC
  11. Native Village of Port Heiden
  12. Coeurd’Alene Tribal Youth Council
  13. Fort Hall Youth Council
  14. Burns Paiute Tribe Youth Leadership Council
  15. Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
  16. Siletz Youth Council
  17. Cow Creek Tribal Youth Council
  18. Many Nations as One Youth Council
  19. The Klamath Tribes Youth Council
  20. Chemawa Indian School Student Council
  21. Cowlitz Indian Tribe Youth Council
  22. Elwha Tribal Youth Council
  23. Kiis Council
  24. Nevplelem Youth Council
  25. Nooksack Tribal Teen Council
  26. Tulalip Youth Counci
  27. Inchelium Youth Council
  28. Kalispel Youth Council
  29. Colville Tribes’ Omak District Youth Council
  30. Nisqually Youth Council
  31. Quinault Teen Council
  32. Suquamish Youth Council
  33. Swinomish Youth Council
  34. River Ridge High School YC
  35. Yakama Nation Youth Council
  36. Toppenish Youth Council
  37. Clover Park School Dist. Native Pride YC
  38. Omak District Youth Council
  39. Puyallup Tribal Youth Council
  40. Squaxin Island Tribe
  41. Chehalis Tribal Youth Council

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
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
Marisa

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

Greg
Greg

“Our YOUTH is the future!”

Fefe
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
Darlene

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

Kay
Kay

“Awesome for youth group & leadership.”