In Tesuque Pueblo, a group of young leaders gathered their community together in August to share stories from the National UNITY Conference. Among them was Jamie Crowe (Pueblo of Tesuque), a Southwest Regional Executive Committee Member, who saw the presentation as more than just a recap—it was an act of education, advocacy, and connection. “Being able to present to my community made me feel whole and happy,” Jamie shared. “There aren’t a lot of people, even our tribal council, that understand the significance of UNITY and how important it is to Native youth. However, with this presentation, a couple of tribal council members were also present. Which made me feel like that was the start of a greater conversation.”
That start matters. By sharing what UNITY means for Native youth, Jamie is addressing one of the Top Ten Issues Facing Native Youth: the need for a stronger youth voice in tribal decision-making. Presentations like this not only educate community members but also invite tribal leaders to see the role of youth as advocates and changemakers. When even a few council members attend, it signals a growing recognition that youth leadership is vital to the health and future of tribal nations.
Beyond presentations, Jamie and the Tesuque Pueblo Youth Coalition also took action in another powerful way—they cleaned and restored their community graveyard. What began as pulling weeds and clearing overgrown areas turned into something much larger: a community movement. “Cleaning up our graveyard made me happy because no one ever thought to do so before we did,” Jamie explained. “We made people want to continue to maintain the area.” Their act of service directly ties to UNITY’s priorities of health, wellness, and cultural preservation, proving that simple grassroots projects can spark long-term change.
The National UNITY Council, comprised of over 300 Native youth councils nationwide, thrives on stories like Jamie’s. Each year, UNITY representatives identify the most pressing challenges facing Native youth and commit to grassroots projects that address them. From advocating for mental health to protecting sacred spaces, these efforts create a ripple effect across Indian Country. Jamie’s leadership in Tesuque Pueblo shows how local service connects to a national movement of collective impact.
For Jamie, leadership isn’t about being in the spotlight—it’s about starting conversations and creating action where it’s needed most. By uplifting youth voices through presentations and sparking community pride through service, Jamie embodies UNITY’s mission to inspire hope and strengthen Native youth leadership. Their story is a call to action for other youth councils: start where you are, with the resources you have, and take that first step. Whether it’s educating your tribal council, organizing a cleanup, or sharing your UNITY journey, every effort makes a difference.
As a Southwest Regional Representative, Jamie carries the voices of Native youth from across the region into national UNITY conversations. By reaching out and collaborating, other youth councils can join in the momentum Jamie has built—ensuring that youth voices are not just heard but acted upon. After all, as Jamie’s experience shows, one presentation or one cleanup can be the spark that inspires an entire community.