Southwest Region
UNITY Regional Profile
The Southwest Region consists of geographical areas and the states of New Mexico and Colorado. The Western region has 24 affiliated youth councils in 2 states within the UNITY Network.
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2021 Fall Southwest Virtual Meet-Up
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Southwest Regional Representative: Derek Capitan
Derek Capitan – UNITY Southwest Area Representative
Tribes: Laguna Pueblo/Navajo
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Derek Capitan (Dziushdyawi) comes from the communities of the Laguna Pueblo and Navajo Nation of New Mexico. His clans are Sun and Red Bottom People. Derek, who is senior civil engineering major at the University of New Mexico, is working in laboratories supporting the UNM METALS Superfund Research Program and the UNM Center for Water and the Environment (CWE) under the tutelage of Professors Eliane El Hayek and Jose Cerrato. The METALS SRP and the CWE program are addressing community concerns about the possible impacts of abandoned uranium mines on agricultural lands of the Pueblo of Laguna and the Cameron Chapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona. These programs conduct laboratory tests on soil and plant samples to investigate contaminant transport and remediation at the agricultural sites in both communities. He plays a role in this effort by processing soil and plant samples for analyses, running the analyses on advanced scientific machinery, and working with faculty mentors to report the results. His findings will help determine the safest agricultural practices to ensure food security for the community while identifying potential health risks from exposure to resuspended mine dusts. His interest lies within assisting communities on identifying healthy solutions to agricultural and water treatment practices. Derek also involves himself in other school clubs dedicated to academic excellence and volunteerism.
Outside of school he serves as UNITY’s Southwest Area Representative on the Executive Committee and as a UNITY Earth Ambassador. Derek considers himself to be a man of the people. Any chance there is an opportunity to get involved, he is always right there. He enjoys participating in his home community events. He loves spending time with family and friends. Above all, he is thankful for his opportunity and is proud to be helping the people in which he hopes to deliver results that will guide them to a promising future.
SOUTHWEST REGION
Derek Capitan, Southwest Regional Representative
National UNITY Council Executive Committee
Southwest Region Youth Councils
- Four Corners UNITY Youth Council
- Mile High Youth Council
- Pike’s Peak Intertribal Youth
- Northern Colorado UNITY Council
- San Ildefonso Youth Council
- Youth Ambassadors Program, Americans for Indian Opportunity
- Albuquerque UNITY Youth Council
- Zuni Honoring Nativel Life Leaders
- Navajo Prep Naataanii Youth Council
- Crownpoint Dine Youth Council
- Kirtland Central Dine’ Youth Council
- Unity Advisor Page
- Tamaya Youth Group
- Ohkay Owingeh Boys & Girls Club
- Crownpoint Navajo Dept. of WF Dev.
- Kewa TRUTH Youth Council
- Native American Youth Empowerment
- Jicarilla Apache Youth Council
- Dine’/Navajo Heights Dine’ Yazhi’ Youth Council
- Mescalero System of Cave
- Naat’aanii Yazhi Youth Council
- Northern Navajo Agency Doolii Youth Group
- Pueblo of Tesuque Youth Coalition
- Pueblo of Zia
- Wingate High School
“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.”