April 30, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The honorees will be recognized at UNITY”s National Conference in Portland this June
Mesa, Arizona –The United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) proudly unveils the latest cohort of 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders. This esteemed recognition celebrates the exemplary achievements of young Native American and Alaskan Native leaders who embody UNITY’s core values and pursue holistic well-being in their lives. Launched in 2014, this biennial initiative acknowledges the remarkable contributions of 25 outstanding youths under 25 in Indian country.
Our Native youth are passionate about enhancing their communities. The 25 Under 25 program by UNITY acknowledges their accomplishments and inspires them to continue their engagement while nurturing their leadership abilities, said Mary Kim Titla, executive director of UNITY.
Each recipient will receive a distinctive handmade beaded medallion and experience specialized training UNITY provides over the next eight months to foster their personal growth. The honorees will be celebrated at the National UNITY Conference in Portland, Oregon, scheduled for June 29, 2024. More information about the conference, registration, exhibit space, awards, and sponsorships can be found here.
The 2024 Class of 25 Under 25 National Native Youth Leaders are:
Alyssa Mosley, 23 Nanticoke Lenni Lenape, New Jersey
Anagali Duncan, 21 Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma
Carmella Bear, 17 Penobscot Nation, Maine
Dasia Peters, 22 Mashpee Wampanoag, Massachusetts
Derek Capitan, 24 Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico
Elise Lamas, 19 Tohono O’odham, Arizona
Evelyn Enos, 19 Akimel O’odham/Tohono O’odham, Arizona
Faith Iukes, 14 Tulalip Tribes, Washington
Gabriel Jurado, 19 Confederated Tribes of Siletz, Oregon
Gabriella Nakai, 17 Choctaw Nation, Arizona
Georgia Harjo, 17 Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma
Ian Teller, 23 Navajo Nation, Arizona
Jenna Makes Good, 22 Spirit Lake Nation, Kansas
Jori Cowley, 23 Cherokee Nation/Shawnee, Oklahoma
Kiara Tanta-Quidgeon, 23 Mohegan Tribe, Connecticut
Laney Marie Lupe, 23 White Mountain Apache, Arizona
Mariah Hernandez-Fitch, 23 United Houma Nation, Louisiana
Natallie Battiest, 21 Choctaw Nation, California
Nizhoni Deschene, 16 Navajo Nation, Maryland
Precious Vicente, 24 Akimel O’odham/Hopi, Arizona
Racquel Jean Oliver-Britton, 22 Round Valley Indian Tribes, California
Samantha Eddy, 22 Navajo Nation, Arizona
Sophia Turning Robe, 21 Spokane/Siksika, Washington
Steve Harvey, 22 San Carlos Apache Tribe, Arizona
Talon Watchman, 17 Navajo Nation, Arizona
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ABOUT UNITY
Founded in 1976, United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) is a national network organization promoting personal development, citizenship, and leadership among Native Youth. UNITY’s mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth ages 14 -24, and to help build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement. UNITY’s network currently includes 274 affiliated youth councils in 34 states. Tribes, Alaska Native villages, high schools, colleges, urban centers, and others sponsor Youth Councils. UNITY’s signature event is the National UNITY Conference, held each summer in various states. It is the longest-largest Native American and Alaska Native youth leadership conference in the country, with more than 2,000 attendees annually.