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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UNITY News: Northwest Updates
Northwest Regional Representative: Mazie Countryman
Mazie Countryman – UNITY Northwest Area Representative
Tribes: Northern Arapaho/Eastern Shoshone/Shoshone Bannock/Navajo
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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!
NORTHWEST REGION
Mazie Countryman, Northwest Regional Representative
National UNITY Council Executive Committee
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
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.
“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.””
“The gathering, the sharing of cultures, the UNITY of our people!”
“Our YOUTH is the future!”
“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.”
“Great organization that allows empowerment for the Native youth to excel in leadership skills, networking opportunity, and early professional growth.”
“Awesome for youth group & leadership.”