A Legacy 50 Years in the Making: UNITY Celebrates Its Golden Anniversary
Mesa, AZ — United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY), the nation’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to Native youth leadership development, today announced two inspiring keynote speakers for its 2026 National Conference, taking place this summer in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NBA athlete Lindy Waters III and acclaimed Indigenous culinary artist Chef Pyet will headline the conference, which marks a historic milestone — UNITY’s 50th year of empowering Native youth across the country.
The event’s honorary co-chairs are Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation, an advocate for cultural preservation who appointed the Tribe’s first delegate to US Congress; and Principal Chief Sena Yesslith, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, the Tribe’s first female chief, with a strong commitment to community wellness and youth advocacy.Â
“Fifty years. Half a century of shaping, strengthening, and launching Native leaders into the world — and we are just getting started. To mark this monumental milestone, we knew we needed keynote speakers who don’t just talk about what UNITY stands for — they live it,” said Mary Kim Titla, UNITY’s Executive Director. “Perseverance, cultural pride, and an unwavering commitment to lifting up the next generation — Lindy and Chef Pyet are the embodiment of all of it. They are living, breathing proof of what Native youth can achieve when they are seen, supported, and celebrated. This is our 50th anniversary year, and the thousands of young people who walk through the doors of this conference deserve nothing less than to be inspired by the best. That’s exactly what they’re going to get.”
A proud Kiowa and Cherokee citizen, Lindy Waters III brings his remarkable journey as a professional NBA athlete to the National Conference stage — a story made all the more meaningful by its Oklahoma City roots. After a standout career at Oklahoma State University, where he was named “Indian of the Year” by the American Indian Exposition, Waters worked his way from the semi-pro ranks to earning a multi-year standard NBA contract with his hometown Oklahoma City Thunder. He later delivered standout performances with the Golden State Warriors, including a game-winning buzzer-beater and a career-high 21-point performance, before signing with the San Antonio Spurs in 2025. Throughout every chapter of his career, Waters has remained deeply committed to Indigenous communities through The Lindy Waters III Foundation, which supports Native youth in sports, health, wellness, and leadership.
Joining Waters on the keynote stage is Chef Pyet — short for her inherited Native American name, Pyetwetmokwe — a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and a trailblazing force in the culinary world. As the first-ever winner of Gordon Ramsay’s groundbreaking television series Next Level Chef, and named one of the Top 25 best private chefs in Los Angeles by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2021, Chef Pyet has brought Indigenous Fusion Cuisine to a global stage. Her life’s work bridges her Native American and Mexican heritage, using food and storytelling as powerful tools to uplift and preserve Indigenous culture and traditions. Her keynote will speak directly to UNITY’s mission — reminding young people that their culture is not only something to be proud of, but a powerful foundation from which to build a meaningful life and career.
The 2026 UNITY National Conference is expecting more than 2,500 Native youth, tribal leaders, educators, and community members in attendance. This year’s gathering carries special significance as UNITY commemorates five decades of fostering leadership, civic engagement, and cultural identity among Native youth ages 14 to 24. The conference will feature a College and Career Expo, more than 40 workshops designed for Native youth, a 3v3 basketball tournament and more. In addition, two special ticketed events are available outside of the conference agenda, including the UNITY alumni luncheon, and the UNITY 50th Anniversary Gala.Â
Discounted registration is available through May 31, with exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities still open. For full schedule details and more information, visit unityinc.org/national-conference.