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 […]
UNITY Youth Highlight Katy Johnston’s first UNITY conference as Female Co-President carried both a leadership milestone and a personal sense of connection. At the February 2024 Midyear Conference in Arizona, being surrounded by Native youth and the UNITY community was an important part of what she took from the gathering. Johnston, a member of the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Youth Councils in Action Marla Mesarina’s February leadership work linked conference responsibilities with council-building, language learning, and cultural exchange across the Midwest. Returning home from UNITY’s Midyear Conference, she continued supporting youth who wanted stronger connections with the organization while taking on a new local council role. Mesarina, who identifies as Leech Lake Ojibwe and […]
UNITY Youth Highlight Returning to Rocky Boy for a round dance gave Watson Whitford a grounding start to January before another semester at Montana State University. Despite freezing temperatures, time with family and community offered a chance to reconnect as he prepared for the responsibilities of school and regional youth leadership. Whitford, who identifies as […]
Youth Councils in Action For Nathan Solorio, helping at a health fair was an opportunity to serve alongside his own youth council and contribute to a welcoming community gathering. On October 7, 2023, he joined the Lifelines Urban Native Alliance, or LUNA, Youth Council at the Native American Lifelines Fall Harvest Health Fair in Baltimore, […]
Youth Councils in Action Jalen Harvey’s September 2023 activities connected youth wellness, cultural learning, and opportunities to practice public leadership. Between a prevention webinar, youth council inauguration, community presentations, and her first emcee role, she encountered several ways young people were supporting one another. Harvey, who identifies as Navajo, Acoma Pueblo, and Hopi, served as […]
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, […]
