Get ready to fill those lanyards! In celebration of UNITY’s 50th Anniversary, all registered National UNITY Conference attendees will receive a special keepsake memento: the official 50th Anniversary logo pin.
This commemorative pin is for attendees to keep as a reminder of this historic gathering and their place in UNITY’s 50-year legacy. But the fun does not stop there!
UNITY is inviting every youth council to bring buttons or pins representing their youth council, school, tribe, community, or sponsoring organization to participate in the UNITY 50th Anniversary Pin Swap.
The Pin Swap is a fun and interactive way for youth to meet new people, share where they are from, and connect with other Native youth from across the country. Youth councils may bring as many pins or buttons as they would like. The goal is simple: meet new friends, swap pins, and fill your conference lanyard with as many different pins as possible.
Think of it as a throwback to the days when UNITY youth had to write letters, exchange mix tapes in the mail, and stay connected the old-school way. Before DMs, group chats, and QR codes, youth built friendships through real conversations, shared memories, and creative ways of keeping in touch. The Pin Swap brings that spirit back in a fresh way for UNITY’s 50th Anniversary.
There will be time before each General Assembly for attendees to swap pins with others before the program begins. Youth are encouraged to introduce themselves, share their youth council or community name, and learn about where others are from.
How Many Pins Should You Bring?
Youth councils are encouraged to bring enough pins or buttons for each youth to swap with several new people.
A good goal is for each youth to bring at least 10 to 20 pins or buttons to trade or share. For example:
- If your youth council is bringing 5 youth, try to bring at least 50 to 100 pins or buttons total.
- If your youth council is bringing 10 youth, try to bring at least 100 to 200 pins or buttons total.
- If your youth council is bringing 20 youth, try to bring at least 200 to 400 pins or buttons total.
Youth do not have to trade one-for-one every time. If your group has extra pins, youth can also hand them out as a friendly icebreaker. A pin can be a simple way to start a conversation, introduce your youth council, share your tribe or community, and make a new connection.
Try saying:
“Hi, I’m from [Youth Council/Tribe/Community]. Would you like one of our pins?”
Then ask where they are from and see if they have a pin to swap. Boom — networking without the awkward lobby energy.
On the final day of the National UNITY Conference, the attendee with the most pins collected from other youth councils, schools, tribes, or organizations will win a special prize during General Assembly.
UNITY will also have limited-edition pins available for purchase at the UNITY Store, so attendees can add even more 50th Anniversary memories to their collection.
What Should Youth Councils Bring?
Youth councils are encouraged to bring:
- Youth council logo pins or buttons
- School pins or spirit buttons
- Tribal seal or tribal department promotional pins
- Sponsoring organization buttons
- Community event pins
- Awareness campaign buttons
- Handmade or locally created pins, if available
Many tribes, schools, programs, and organizations already have promotional pins or buttons available and may be willing to donate them for youth to share at the National UNITY Conference.
Youth councils are encouraged to ask early so they have enough time to gather or order pins before traveling to Oklahoma City.
Sample Email to Request Pins
Subject: Request for Promotional Pins for National UNITY Conference Pin Swap
Hello [Name],
Our youth council will be attending the 2026 National UNITY Conference in Oklahoma City for UNITY’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
As part of the conference, UNITY is hosting a 50th Anniversary Pin Swap where youth councils are encouraged to bring pins or buttons representing their youth council, school, tribe, or sponsoring organization. Youth will trade or share pins with other Native youth from across the country as a way to meet new people, share where they are from, and build connections.
We are reaching out to ask if [Tribe/School/Organization Name] would be willing to donate promotional pins, buttons, or small logo items for our youth to hand out during the Pin Swap.
These items would help our youth proudly represent our community while participating in this interactive networking activity. Many tribes and organizations use pins as promotional items, and this would be a meaningful way for our youth to share our community with others at the National UNITY Conference.
If available, we would be grateful for any quantity of pins or buttons that can be donated before our group travels to Oklahoma City.
Thank you for supporting our youth and helping them represent our community at this historic 50th Anniversary gathering.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Youth Council Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]