Two Arizona UNITY youth councils, The Young River Peoples Council of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Future Inspired Native American Leaders (FINAL) Youth Council, participated in the 36^th annual Native American Recognition Days parade held in downtown Phoenix. The Young River Peoples Council proudly displayed a “UNITY Youth Council of the Year” banner, a recognition they received at the 2018 National UNITY Conference this past June. The FINAL youth council proudly marched the route, engaging spectators with parade waves and cheer.Pictured Above: Members of the Young River Peoples Council of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community take time during the NARD Parade to pose with UNITY Executive Director Mary Kim Titla.

The NARD Parade is sponsored by Native American Connections and is part of annual festivities celebrating Native American heritage in the greater Phoenix area. The parade theme was “Reuse, Recycle, Protecting Mother Earth.” The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s Recycle Program served as the Parade’s Grand Marshall. The Young River Peoples Council is this year’s UNITY Youth Council of the Year award recipient because of their community engagement and volunteerism.

Is your Youth Council participating in any events to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month?? Email us information and photos to feature in UNITY’s upcoming Newsletters! Send information to la.buford@unityinc.org