In a season often filled with rush and noise, Tia Butler chose intention. This December, the Northwest Executive Committee Member of the National UNITY Council slowed down in the best way—by planting seeds of knowledge, culture, and care throughout her community.
Representing the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Tia dedicated the month to educational outreach across Lincoln County Schools and the Siletz Tribal Farm. Each week, she engaged students of all ages in traditional plant teachings—connecting Native youth to the land, language, and lifeways of their people.
Tia worked with the Siletz Valley School Agriculture Class, 3rd and 4th graders, Siletz Tribal Head Start, the Taft PACE program, and Newport ECEL programs serving young adults with special needs. Through these sessions, students learned how to process medicinal herbs, plant camas, and create thoughtful gifts for Tribal elders during the holidays. These hands-on experiences blended cultural knowledge with service, reinforcing respect for elders and responsibility to the community.
By teaching traditional plant medicine and land stewardship, Tia helped Native youth understand that cultural knowledge is living knowledge. Processing herbs and planting camas is more than an activity—it is preservation. It is identity. It is leadership rooted in ancestral teachings.
Reflecting on the pace of the month, Tia shared, “This month was a good month to be able to slow down.” In that slowing down, she created meaningful moments for youth to connect deeply with tradition, the land, and one another.
Her work reflects the mission of the National UNITY Council (NUC): to develop leadership skills in Native youth by drawing upon Native heritage and teachings. Through educational initiatives, service projects, and cultural preservation, Tia advances UNITY’s vision to inspire hope and change lives for the better in Indian Country—including Native Hawaiian and Alaskan Native communities across the UNITY network.
The National UNITY Council represents over 300 affiliated youth councils nationwide and serves as the collective voice of Native youth. By empowering youth to study issues, engage in their communities, and honor their traditions, the NUC ensures that the next generation of Indigenous leaders remains grounded and prepared.
As a Northwest Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Tia plays a critical role in representing youth voices from her region while collaborating with fellow representatives and Co-Presidents to guide national priorities. Through educational outreach, plant teachings, and intergenerational service, she continues to nurture not only plants—but future Native leaders rooted in culture, compassion, and community.