Empowering Native Youth Through Digital Storytelling: UNITY & Arizona Science Center Collaboration at the 2025 Midyear Conference
The 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference kicked off in a powerful way, bringing together Native youth for an evening of learning, storytelling, and inspiration at the Arizona Science Center. Thanks to a special partnership with the Science Center, UNITY participants received free access to explore the newest attraction, “The Power of Poison,” and the many interactive exhibits. At an exclusive welcome reception, attendees met with Guy Labine, CEO of the Arizona Science Center, and had an opportunity to connect with fellow youth leaders and learn about the Science Center’s vision for Indigenous representation in STEM.
This year’s theme underscored the significance of using digital storytelling as a tool for community organizing and raising awareness on issues that matter most to Native youth. The event at the Science Center was more than just an opportunity to see cutting-edge exhibits; it was a moment of recognition, empowerment, and a call to action for Indigenous youth to reclaim their narratives through media, science, and technology.
Bridging Indigenous Knowledge & Science Through Storytelling
One of the most inspiring moments of the evening was when the CEO of the Arizona Science Center met with UNITY participants, sharing how the institution is actively working to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into science and technology education. He revealed an exciting initiative—the Science Center’s purchase of an exhibit on Canadian Indigenous knowledge—and discussed ongoing efforts to tell the story of Indigenous science and technology.
For many Native youth in attendance, this conversation reaffirmed the importance of Indigenous representation in museums and science institutions. It highlighted how storytelling—whether through exhibits, digital media, or personal narratives—can be used as a powerful tool to preserve culture, educate the public, and challenge outdated narratives that have historically marginalized Indigenous contributions to science, innovation, and technology.
The reception also served as a networking and inspiration hub where youth engaged with Science Center staff, asked questions about museum curation and explored how STEM careers and Indigenous storytelling can intersect. Many participants were left with a renewed sense of purpose, recognizing that their stories, histories, and knowledge systems deserve to be told, preserved, and celebrated on larger platforms.
The Importance of Partnering with Museums to Tell Indigenous Stories
UNITY’s collaboration with the Arizona Science Center is part of a larger movement to ensure Indigenous voices are heard and honored in spaces of education, history, and science. Museums and science institutions play a crucial role in shaping public perceptions, and for too long, Native knowledge has been excluded, misrepresented, or told through non-Native perspectives.
By working together with Indigenous communities, museums can:
- Amplify Indigenous voices, ensuring that Native people tell their own stories and share their knowledge in ways that are accurate and empowering.
- Highlight Indigenous innovation, showcasing Native contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), proving that Indigenous peoples have always been scientists, astronomers, engineers, and environmental stewards.
- Engage youth in STEM and storytelling, encouraging Native youth to see themselves in museum spaces, digital media, and science fields, while also using storytelling to advocate for their communities.
UNITY’s Midyear Conference Welcome Reception at the Arizona Science Center was a reminder that storytelling is not just about the past—it is about shaping the future. Through digital storytelling, museum collaboration, and platforms that honor Indigenous knowledge, Native youth are reclaiming their narratives and leading the way for future generations.
As the conference continued, this powerful theme of storytelling as a tool for leadership, advocacy, and change resonated throughout workshops, panels, and cultural exchanges. The next generation of Native leaders is rising, equipped with the power of their voices, their stories, and their communities.