From traditional plant teachings to Indigenous women’s leadership workshops, Amaya Escalante spent March pouring into her community with purpose, pride, and a deep commitment to Native youth. As a young leader from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Amaya’s month reflected what servant leadership looks like in action—teaching, learning, encouraging, and helping carry forward the cultural knowledge that strengthens Indigenous communities. Her work across Arizona shows how Native youth leaders are not only preserving culture, but also building a stronger future for the next generation.
One of Amaya’s meaningful experiences this month was participating in a Traditional Plant Workshop held in New Pascua at the Tribal Development Department in Tucson, Arizona. The workshop, led by UNITY Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi, gave participants the opportunity to learn about plant medicine, the importance of speaking respectfully to plants before harvesting, and the traditional names of plants in the Yoeme language.
Amaya shared that participants learned “How to request plant medicine from the wilderness world,” which in Yoeme is “Haisa Huya Aniatau Hittoata Netane.” She also reflected on the value of understanding both the healing roles of plants and the importance of knowing their names in the Yoeme language. This workshop was more than an educational event. It was an act of cultural revitalization, helping Native youth and community members reconnect with Indigenous knowledge systems, language, and the teachings of Mother Earth.
Amaya also attended the R.I.S.E. (Resilient Indigenous Spirit Empowered) Spring Program at Tortuga Ranch in Three Points, Arizona. There, she shared her experiences as a leader and spoke about her current role as Western Area Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee.
During the event, Amaya encouraged youth by speaking about the importance of leadership and why it matters to keep moving Native youth forward. She shared that it is essential to continue creating opportunities because “we are today’s future.”
She attended the event alongside Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi and connected with the Yoeme Youth Move group, whose leadership experiences continued to inspire her. Through events like R.I.S.E., Amaya is helping Native youth see themselves as leaders now, not just in the future.
Another highlight of Amaya’s month was attending the Indigi Girls Present and Future Workshop in Guadalupe. This workshop focused on Indigenous women in leadership and created space for participants to hear from women leaders about their experiences, challenges, and advice.
Amaya attended with her Chokim leadership group and heard from Secretary Alvarez of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, one of the workshop panelists. The event gave her the opportunity to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue about the issues facing Native communities and what can be done to address them. She also had the opportunity to sit with one of the leaders and discuss the concerns her communities face, along with possible ways to help. Amaya shared words of encouragement and gratitude to the women leaders who took the time to mentor and uplift the next generation. This kind of engagement reflects the importance of civic participation, mentorship, and making sure Indigenous women have a strong voice and a rightful seat in leadership roles.
Amaya also gave her time to her community in Old Pascua Village by helping with traditional flowers for Easter ceremonies. She worked alongside her family and community members, helping teach others how to make the flowers and explaining why they are important. By teaching those who did not yet know how to make the flowers, Amaya was participating in a hands-on cultural service project that honored the work of elders and ancestors. She helped pass down knowledge while reinforcing the purpose behind the tradition and its use in ceremony. This effort reflects how Native youth leadership often lives in everyday community service—sharing knowledge, helping prepare for ceremony, and making sure cultural practices continue through the next generation.
Reflecting on the heart behind her work, Amaya shared, “By taking the time to teach, listen, and lead, we do more than preserve our culture—we create a path forward and build a stronger future for our people.”
That message captures the power of her month. Whether she was learning about plant medicine, speaking to youth about leadership, listening to Indigenous women leaders, or helping prepare traditional flowers, Amaya demonstrated that leadership is rooted in both action and intention.
Her service reflects the larger mission of the National UNITY Council, which works to uplift Native youth by inspiring hope and changing lives for the better in Indian Country. Through leadership development, cultural knowledge, and community engagement, the National UNITY Council provides Native youth, Native Hawaiian youth, and Alaskan Natives with a space to address issues of concern, strengthen their voices, and grow into effective leaders grounded in their heritage and teachings.
The National UNITY Council is the cornerstone of UNITY’s mission and a powerful example of collective youth leadership in action. Through the UNITY network, young leaders from tribes and communities across the country come together to study common concerns, establish priorities, and take action in ways that benefit Indian Country. Amaya’s work this month is a strong example of that mission in motion—leadership that honors culture, empowers community, and inspires the next generation.
As the Western Area Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Amaya Escalante serves an important role in representing Native youth voices from her region while helping strengthen UNITY’s national network. Through her leadership, she helps ensure that the concerns, strengths, and cultural knowledge of Native youth in the West are part of the larger collective voice of the National UNITY Council. Her work this month shows that when Native youth lead with culture, compassion, and courage, the future is bright.