At this year’s UNITY Midyear Conference, Native youth stepped into the future by engaging in workshops celebrating their role as innovators and problem-solvers in technology, engineering, and broadband development. These career-based sessions supported UNITY’s broader goals to expand Native youth access to STEM education and equip them for careers that directly benefit their communities.
In “Broadband Jobs: Building Futures, Connecting Tribes,” Vanesscia Cresci (Navajo Nation) of Tribal Ready introduced youth to career pathways in digital infrastructure. “They discovered how roles in broadband—from IT to network installation—are essential for connecting communities and creating lasting impact,” Cresci reported.
Johann Webber (Cherokee Nation) used LEGOs to teach engineering basics in “LEGOs and STEM Education in Native American and Indigenous Communities.” “Students designed bridges and learned structural principles—while realizing that engineering is fun and within reach,” Webber said.
Dr. Johnny Poolaw (Delaware, Kiowa, Comanche, Chiricahua Apache) of AISES guided students through “College and Career Readiness Success through AISES,” focusing on scholarship and STEM internship pathways. “Youth walked away with an understanding of support systems available to them in STEM careers, including how to access mentorship, scholarships, and real-world opportunities,” he shared.
Vanessa Ramirez Gutierrez of the Arizona Science Center led a colorful, hands-on workshop titled “Tints and Prints.” “Students explored the chemistry behind natural dyes and created art using plants, learning how culture, science, and creativity intersect,” Gutierrez said.
These sessions showed that technology and tradition can work together. UNITY’s efforts to bring STEM opportunities to Indigenous youth helped participants envision themselves as future innovators, engineers, and community leaders.