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 Watching Native youth plan and lead their own powwow stood out to Mazie Countryman during an April shaped by school responsibilities and community connection. At Highland High School’s powwow in Pocatello, Idaho, she supported the Fort Hall Youth Council’s fundraisers and recognized the leadership of the young people organizing the gathering. […]
Youth Councils in Action Mazie Countryman’s March leadership work moved from helping a local youth council raise funds to learning from tribal leaders at a national gathering. The month connected hands-on service in Fort Hall, Idaho, with the wider relationships she was developing as UNITY’s Northwest Representative. At the Shoshone-Bannock High School Powwow on March […]
Youth Councils in Action Serving the feast at Fort Hall’s annual round dance gave Mazie Countryman a direct way to support the community gathered around her. On January 19 and 20, 2024, she volunteered alongside the Fort Hall Youth Council, contributing to the work that helped welcome people across both days of the event. Countryman, […]
UNITY Youth Highlight Mazie Countryman’s first UNITY Midyear Conference gave her a national gathering with a particularly meaningful regional connection. In Phoenix in February 2024, she spent time with hundreds of Native youth while reconnecting with young people from the Northwest communities she represented. Countryman served as Northwest Representative in UNITY’s 2023–2024 National UNITY Council […]
UNITY Youth Highlight A cultural gathering in Oklahoma City became a place for Mahiya Ramirez to connect people with UNITY. At the Potato Dance World Competition on February 10, 2024, she met former conference participants and representatives of organizations interested in the opportunities UNITY offers Native youth. The event took place at the First Americans […]
UNITY Youth Highlight At UNITY’s 2024 Midyear Conference, Mahiya Ramirez found encouragement in the work of other Native youth leaders—and an opportunity to reconnect with the people carrying that work forward. The February 2–4 gathering in Phoenix brought her Southern Plains responsibilities into a national space for relationships, shared ideas, and youth leadership. Ramirez, a […]
UNITY Youth Highlight Mahiya Ramirez’s experience at the 2024 Reservation Economic Summit expanded the circle of people she could learn from and connect with through UNITY. Attending March 11–14 in Las Vegas with fellow executive committee members and UNITY staff, she valued conversations with organizations, youth leaders, and people encouraging the committee’s service. Ramirez, a […]
UNITY Youth Highlight Keeping up with college assignments and making room for her own well-being became connected priorities for Katy Johnston in April. Her report described a deliberate effort to practice the care she often encouraged other people to give themselves. Johnston, a member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe, served as Female Co-President in UNITY’s […]
UNITY Youth Highlight Three days of art, medicine, and time in her home valley gave Katy Johnston a meaningful experience during a difficult March. Alongside UNITY alumna Jeri Bruno, she helped facilitate the We Are Living Arts event, connecting cultural expression with opportunities for healing. Johnston, a member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe, served as […]
