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 Mazie Countryman balanced college finals with a December that connected regional outreach, holiday service, and STEM opportunities for Native youth. Her activities moved between virtual council conversations, a tribal Christmas project, and an educational gathering in Fort Hall, Idaho. Countryman, who identifies as Northern Arapaho, Eastern Shoshone, Navajo, and Shoshone-Bannock, served […]
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 […]
UNITY Youth Highlight Starting college at Montana State University brought Watson Whitford new responsibilities on campus while he continued building connections across UNITY’s Rocky Mountain region. His September 2023 report described a month of coursework, outreach, cultural visibility, and learning how to find his place in a new environment. Whitford, who identifies as Chippewa Cree […]
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 For Chelbie Turtle, cultural sovereignty begins with active participation in the knowledge and relationships of one’s own nation. Her platform, Cultural Sovereignty: The Value of Knowing Your Nation, grew from learning Cherokee language, history, and lifeways alongside years of youth leadership and community involvement. Turtle was a member of UNITY’s 25 Under […]
UNITY Youth Highlight Chenoa Scippio’s fall 2022 speaking engagements brought Native youth leadership into conversations about community advocacy, data, cultural celebration, and public service. As a National UNITY Council Co-President, she moved between webinars and in-person gatherings while reflecting on how UNITY had prepared her to represent others. Scippio served in the National UNITY Council […]
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 Youth Highlight A Southwest Youth Meet Up became a starting point for conversations about forming youth groups in Santa Ana and Tesuque Pueblos. For Derek Capitan, the value of the October 2022 online gathering was in the relationships and follow-up it made possible. Capitan served in the National UNITY Council Executive Committee cohort as […]
