Voices of Change: Kaytlynn Johnston Inspires
Native Youth Leadership
“This work is vital to me. It’s given me new opportunities and new friendships,” shared Kaytlynn Johnston, UNITY’s Female Co-President and a proud member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe of California. Kaytlynn’s servant leadership shone brightly in November as the Master of Ceremony at the 2024 White House Tribal Youth Forum. She participated in UNITY training sessions to enhance her skills in supporting Native youth. Her dedication exemplifies the transformative power of collective efforts to uplift communities, foster leadership, and promote cultural pride.
Amplifying Native Youth Voices at the White House
The 2024 White House Tribal Youth Forum, cohosted by UNITY Inc., the White House, and the Center for Native American Youth, was a historic event that brought together hand-selected Native youth leaders nationwide. This annual forum provides a platform for interactive discussions with federal and high-ranking officials to address key issues affecting Native communities.
As a three-time attendee, Kaytlynn noted the forum’s evolution in amplifying youth voices. “It meant a lot to me to see how much more our voices were being heard this year,” she said. “The government officials really considered our previous comments, and we were part of actual conversations.”
Kaytlynn served as the afternoon co-emcee, a role she embraced with energy and humor. “I had a lot more energy in the afternoon and was able to make people laugh and smile while sharing my voice and where I come from,” she reflected. “Being part of such an important event was incredibly fulfilling.”
Learning, Healing, and Leading
On the forum’s final day, UNITY hosted Healing Circle training sessions to equip Executive Committee leaders with essential tools for facilitating workshops, fostering teamwork, and supporting mental health in their communities. Kaytlynn found these sessions invaluable, mainly focusing on self-care and professional approaches to helping others.
“We learned that we need to heal ourselves before we heal others,” she shared. “It’s about acknowledging people’s needs, redirecting conversations professionally, and providing resources while maintaining boundaries.”
The Healing Indigenous Lives training also emphasized effective workshop facilitation, including techniques for reading a room, avoiding conversational dead spaces, and engaging participants with icebreakers. For Kaytlynn, these lessons were not just practical but also deeply inspiring. “We were reminded that we are a team and a family, and we need to treat each other like it,” she said.
Building a Legacy of Leadership
Kaytlynn’s leadership extends beyond the forum. Her work as UNITY Co-President reflects the organization’s mission to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of Native youth. By creating spaces for collaboration and growth, she is helping nationwide youth connect, share their experiences, and drive grassroots change in their communities.
“Meeting so many new faces and hearing what people do within their own communities made me want to do even more for mine,” Kaytlynn said. Her words reflect the heart of UNITY’s mission: empowering Native youth to build stronger, more resilient communities.
A Future of Unity and Hope
Kaytlynn Johnston’s commitment to servant leadership is a testament to the power of shared experiences and collective action. Through her work with UNITY, she inspires the next generation of Native youth to embrace their voices, celebrate their cultures, and lead with purpose.
“This work has opened so many doors for me, and I’m grateful to be part of such a great team and community,” she said. Kaytlynn’s story reminds us that when Native youth are empowered to lead, they create ripples of change that strengthen their communities and the future of Indian Country.