UNITY Youth Highlight Watson Whitford’s February experiences connected regional youth leadership with cultural health and care for seeds. Between UNITY’s Midyear Conference in Phoenix and his continuing work in Montana, he described relationships and activities that brought community well-being into the center of his service. Whitford, who identifies as Chippewa Cree and Navajo, served as […]
Youth Councils in Action Marla Mesarina’s March work connected youth voice with tribal decision-making, environmental leadership, mental health, and cultural learning. Her Midwest update described a month of bringing young people into conversations about their communities while supporting opportunities for them to develop and share solutions. As Midwest Representative in UNITY’s 2023–2024 National UNITY Council […]
UNITY Youth Highlight November brought Katy Johnston into three different settings for learning and leadership: the White House Tribal Youth Forum, the National Congress of American Indians convention, and a Walk for Water event with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Her report connected national conversations with an issue rooted in her own […]
Youth Councils in Action Moderating a panel on mental health and substance abuse at the White House Tribal Youth Forum gave Jalen Harvey an opportunity to bring youth leadership into a national conversation. Her November 2023 report connected that experience with extensive community service and outreach across Arizona. Harvey, who identifies as Navajo, Acoma Pueblo, […]
UNITY Youth Highlight December gave Jalen Harvey a chance to learn about environmental care and community partnerships while balancing finals and time with loved ones. Her update described two gatherings that brought education and new ideas into the middle of a demanding college month. Harvey served as Western Representative in UNITY’s 2023–2024 National UNITY Council […]
Youth Councils in Action Helping youth councils build a foundation meant several different kinds of work for Marla Mesarina in December 2023: securing donations, facilitating introductions, supporting bylaws, and helping young people bring their council’s future before tribal leadership. Mesarina, who identifies as Leech Lake Ojibwe and Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, served as Midwest Representative in UNITY’s […]
Youth Councils in Action The Mother Corn Festival at White Shield School brought cultural learning into an ordinary school day—and gave Koya Bearstail another opportunity to help younger students connect with Arikara teachings. Working with the MHA youth leadership chapter, Bearstail took part in planning meetings and helped teach freshmen about Mother Corn at the […]
UNITY Youth Highlight Ally Gee approached Fort Lewis College’s annual food and basic necessities drive with a question about who was being overlooked. Food donations were important, but she saw a continuing shortage of menstrual products at the campus pantry and wanted students to have more choices in caring for their health. The UNITY 25 […]
UNITY Earth Ambassador Hope Long, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, shares her community involvement: October was busy for Hope Long. She is an active member of the of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Youth Council (CYC) and serves as Chairman the Junaluska Leadership Council (JLC). These youth council programs are sponsored by the Eastern Band of Cherokee […]
