For Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), the weeks following the 2025 National UNITY Conference have been a season of connection, tradition, and advocacy. Since returning home, she has been fully immersed in community life — “These activities were so meaningful, as they were an outlet to not only connect with community members, but also be able to be in community with one another while learning to harvest traditional medicines and first foods.”
In July alone, Tia helped host a Women’s Wellness Sweetgrass Harvesting Workshop, presented at her tribe’s Culture Camp, led a community camas dig, and guided camas seed harvesting. She also took part in processing steelhead and salmon, distributing them to community members in need. Alongside these hands-on activities, she attended the annual Sundance ceremony at Mt. Hood, where she shared songs and dances with tribal members from across the Northwest.
Her work has also bridged cultural traditions and policy advocacy. Meeting with Senator Murray of Washington, Tia discussed the urgent need for restoring wild salmon to the Columbia River Basin. Collaborations with the Tel-Tvm’ Siletz Farm, Siletz CARE Program, Siletz Culture Department, Siletz Natural Resources, Save Our Wild Salmon Collective, and NextGen Salmon Collective interns have allowed her to merge environmental stewardship, cultural revitalization, and community health in tangible ways. “Having the ability to promote wellness in my community is so important, as many struggle from health issues. Attending cultural ceremonies was also so healing.”
As the Northwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Tia helps represent the UNITY Network so that common concerns are studied and addressed with a positive and unified voice.
The Executive Committee sets national priorities, strengthens youth council development, and creates a forum where Native youth leaders can collaborate on solutions for the issues they face. Through her dual role as a community organizer and national youth leader, Tia exemplifies the UNITY mission — uplifting Native youth, honoring heritage, and creating a stronger future for Indian Country.
