Tia Butler (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), Northwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, dedicated her time and heart to empowering others through education, culture, and connection. From teaching local youth to celebrating intertribal gatherings, Tia’s month reflected her deep commitment to serving her people and strengthening the ties that unite Native communities across the Northwest.
Throughout the month, Tia represented her community and organizations in a wide range of events — each grounded in learning and collaboration. She attended the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board Food Sovereignty Committee Meeting, where she learned alongside other advocates working to ensure healthy, sustainable food systems for tribal communities. She also attended a Native Education Gathering and the Northwest Native Chamber Gathering, expanding her network with Native professionals and organizations that strive to uplift Indigenous voices.
Her leadership shone during the Indigenous Peoples Celebration, where she served as a presenter, sharing cultural knowledge and insights that sparked meaningful conversations among attendees. “This month’s opportunities were a wonderful way to connect with so many Natives, organizations, and youth who I have so much to learn from,” Tia reflected. “There were so many educational opportunities where I got to present topics to youth, both Native and non-Native, who appreciated the teachings I had to offer and reciprocated that by asking respectful questions — which builds strong connections and communication skills.”
Tia also continued her cultural work through community programs and traditional teachings. With the Siletz CARE Program, she took part in a traditional bone apron-making class — an important cultural art form that preserves and passes down heritage through hands-on learning. She also attended Sacred Tobacco: Seed to Ceremony, continuing her advocacy for the revitalization of cultural practices connected to medicine, prayer, and balance.
Among the many highlights of her month was attending the Grand Ronde Longhouse Birthday Celebration and Jam, an intertribal event that brought together members of the Siletz, Tulalip, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and Grand Ronde Tribes. It was a joyous gathering of song, laughter, and kinship — a reflection of the unity that exists when tribes come together in celebration of shared traditions.
In addition to her cultural commitments, Tia continued to give back through education and youth outreach. She hosted multiple educational programs in her county in collaboration with local schools and community initiatives, including PACE, ECEL, Siletz Valley School’s H2O program, the middle school agriculture class, and the Tribal Head Start program, serving 4th and 5th graders. Through these sessions, she shared lessons on Native plants, sustainability, and Indigenous knowledge, engaging students in conversations that bridged cultural understanding and environmental awareness.
As the Northwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Tia continues to embody UNITY’s mission of empowering Native youth through leadership rooted in culture and service. Her October was filled with learning, teaching, and connecting — a reflection of her passion for uplifting her community and preserving the teachings of her ancestors. Through her work, she reminds us that true leadership grows from giving—and that the strongest roots are the ones that connect us.