The National UNITY Council's Executive Council
National UNITY Council (NUC)
This Youth Program is made up of representatives from UNITY Youth Council and Individual Membership. The mission of the National UNITY Council is to represent the UNITY Network so that common concerns are studied and addressed with a positive and unified voice. This will be accomplished through midyear and national meetings and projects that develop the leadership skills of Native youth by drawing upon their Native heritage and teachings. Further, the National Council will provide a means through which Native youth may learn how to effectively work together and address issues of concern in an environment that encourages them to interact in a dignified manner that respects and honors all.
NUC Objectives
- Serve as a guiding body of the UNITY Network,
- Provide a structure to participate in a deliberative process,
- Provide a forum to study and debate issues, establish priorities, and set agendas,
- Learn parliamentary procedures,
- Promote the Network throughout Native America to increase its membership and provide a means, through which Native youth develop the skills needed to be more effective citizens and leaders,
- Serve as peer mediators. And
- Represent Native youths’ voices regarding their issues of concern to all who may have an interest or a role to play in addressing such matters.
A significant component of the national UNITY Network is the National UNITY Council (NUC), which comprises male and female representatives from each of the affiliated youth councils and individuals. The NUC is the central collective voice of UNITY, where Native Youth have the opportunity to take a stance on issues affecting Indian Country. Presiding over the National UNITY Council is the National UNITY Council Executive Committee (NUCEC), which comprises ten Regional Representatives and both the Male and Female Co-Presidents.
The NUCEC is comprised of one male and one female who serve as co-presidents, 10 area representatives who represent UNITY youth councils, and individual members in 10 regions.
WHY JOIN THE NUC?
UNITY: A Monumental Gathering of Native Youth Voices for Collective Impact
The National UNITY Council (NUC) is the cornerstone of UNITY’s mission, uniting Native youth leaders from over 300 youth councils nationwide. These young changemakers, representing urban, rural, and reservation communities, convene to share their perspectives and develop solutions for the challenges they face. This monumental gathering demonstrates the strength of Indigenous leadership and creates an unparalleled platform for collective action and meaningful change.
A Diverse and Representative Voice for Native Youth
UNITY ensures an inclusive representation of Native youth by bringing together councils from a wide range of communities, from bustling urban centers to remote reservations. This diversity enables a comprehensive understanding of the unique and shared challenges Native youth experience. The UNITY network fosters dialogue and collaboration among these leaders, making it a model for youth-led engagement that values every voice and perspective.
Strategic Planning and Collective Impact
Through the annual adoption of the top ten issues facing Native youth, the NUC creates a unified, solution-focused strategy for action. Youth councils return to their regions empowered with tools and training to address these challenges through community service projects, advocacy, and peer-led initiatives. UNITY’s commitment to leadership development and grassroots solutions ensures that Native youth are equipped to make a lasting impact in their communities.
The Power of the Native Vote: Top Ten Issues
At each NUC business meeting, youth representatives vote on the top ten issues affecting Native youth, creating a clear framework for action. These issues, ranging from mental health and substance abuse to cultural identity and education, guide UNITY’s programming and advocacy efforts. Councils implement creative, grassroots projects that address these challenges and inspire hope. UNITY transforms these issues into opportunities for collective impact, empowering Native youth to build stronger, healthier communities.
At the National UNITY Council Business Meeting on July 2, 2024, Kaytlynn Johnston (Bishop Paiute Tribe of California) and Watson Whitford (Chippewa Cree/Navajo of Montana) were elected as co-presidents of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee.
Johnston, 19, is a graduate of Bishop Union High School and currently studies Broadcast Journalism and Media Studies at Costa Mesa College. Before her election as co-president, she was UNITY’s Pacific Area Representative and co-president of the Bishop Tribal Youth Council. Her achievements include serving as Miss Nevada Days Pow-Wow Princess.
Whitford, also 19, is pursuing a degree in Horticulture at Montana State University. He previously served two terms as UNITY’s Rocky Mountain Area Representative and was an UNITY Earth Ambassador from 2021-2022.
UNITY, with 320 affiliated youth councils across 36 states, is unique in its formal network of youth councils. Each affiliated council appoints two representatives (one young woman and one young man) to the National UNITY Council, from which regional area representatives are elected to the Executive Committee.
Johnston and Whitford will lead the Executive Committee alongside these area representatives:
- Great Plains Area Representative: Sophie Landin, 15, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara of North Dakota
- Midwest Area Representative: Marla Mesarina, 18, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe/Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe of Minnesota
- Northeast Area Representative: Liliana Mars, 16, Narragansett/Navajo of Rhode Island
- Northwest Area Representative: Maize Countryman, 20, Northern Arapaho/Navajo/Eastern Shoshone of Idaho
- Pacific Area Representative: Ashley Johnston, 17, Bishop Paiute of California
- Rocky Mountain Area Representative: O’Shay Birdinground, 21, Apsáalooke (Crow) of Montana
- Southeast Area Representative: Kaylee Evans, 17, Haliwa-Saponi/Lumbee of North Carolina
- Southern Plains Area Representative/Vice President: Mahiya Ramirez, 21, Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma
- Southwest Area Representative: Jamie Crowe, 21, Pueblo of Tesuque of New Mexico
- Western Area Representative/Secretary: Jalen Harvey, 19, Navajo/Acoma Pueblo/Hopi of Arizona
At the NUC business meeting, UNITY youth peers elected Kaytlynn Johnston (Bishop Paiute Tribe of California) and Jonathan Arakawa (Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe of Washington) as co-presidents of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee.
Johnston, 18, is a graduate of Bishop Union High School. Before being elected co-president, she served as UNITY’s Pacific Area Representative and served as co-president for the Bishop Tribal Youth Council. Some of her many honors include serving as Miss Nevada Days Pow-Wow Princess. She plans to attend Costa Mesa College in the fall of 2023 to pursue a broadcast journalism and media studies degree.
Arakawa, 23, is attending Evergreen State College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in tribal governance. Before being elected co-president, he served as UNITY’s northwest area representative and secretary for two terms. In addition, Arakawa works as a certified Klallam language teacher at the middle, high school, and college levels. Some of his honors include NCAI-IGA Chairman’s Youth Leadership Award and UNITY’s 25 Under 25 National Recognition Leadership Award.
During their one-year term, Johnston and Arakawa will work with the following 10 area representatives who were also elected by youth councils during the conference:
- Great Plains Area Representative: Koya Bearstail, 16, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara of North Dakota
- Midwest Area Representative: Marla Mesarina, 17, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe/Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe of Minnesota
- Northeast Area Representative: Nathan Solorio, 16, Brokenhead Ojibway First Nations of Pennsylvania
- Northwest Area Representative: Mazie Countryman, 19, Northern Arapaho/Navajo/Eastern Shoshone of Idaho
- Pacific Area Representative: Sineca Jackson, 19, Akimel O’odham of Hawaii
- Rocky Mountain Area Representative/Vice President: Watson Whitford, 18, Chippewa Cree/Navajo of Montana
- Southeast Area Representative: Thorn Grove, 18, Akimel O’odham/Tuscarora of North Carolina
- Southern Plains Area Representative: Mahiya Ramirez, 20, Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma
- Southwest Area Representative: Derek Capitan, 23, Laguna Pueblo/Navajo of New Mexico
- Western Area Representative/Secretary: Jalen Harvey, 18, Navajo/Acoma Pueblo/Hopi of Arizona
The 2022-23 National UNITY Council Executive Committee
- Co-President – Chenoa Scippio (Santa Clara Pueblo/Navajo of New Mexico)
- Co-President – Colby White Thunder (Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas)
- Vice President and Southeast Region Representative – Evynn Richardson (Haliwa-Saponi Nation of North Carolina)
- Secretary and Northwest Region Representative – Jonathan Arakawa (Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe of Washington)
- Great Plains Region Representative – Justice Fox (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota)
- Midwest Region Representative – Angelina Serna (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians/Oneida Nation of Illinois)
- Northeast Region Representative – Nathan Solorio (Brokenhead Ojibway Nation of Pennsylvania)
- Pacific Region Representative – Kaytlynn Johnston (Bishop Paiute Tribe of California)
- Rocky Mountain Region Representative – Watson Whitford (Chippewa Cree/Navajo of Montana) Southern Plains Region Representative – Elwood McClellan, Jr. (Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma)
- Southwest Region Representative – Derek Capitan (Laguna Pueblo/Navajo of New Mexico)
- Western Region Representative – Steve Harvey (San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona
Audriana Mitchell, Colorado River Indian Tribes of Arizona, and Izaiah Fisher, Confederated Tribes of Siltez Indians of Oregon, to serve as co-presidents of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee.
Great Plains Region Representative: Justice Fox, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara of North Dakota
Midwest Region Representative: Angelina Serna, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians/Oneida Nation of Illinois
Northeast Region Representative/Vice President: Rory Wheeler, Seneca Nation of New York
Northwest Region Representative/Secretary: Jonathan Arakawa, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe of Washington
Pacific Region Representative: Kaytlynn Johnson, Bishop Paiute Tribe of California
Rocky Mountain Region Representative: ArriAnna Henry, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana
Southern Plains Region Representative: Elwood McClellan, Jr., Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
Southeast Region Representative: Evynn Richardson, Haliwa-Saponi Nation of North Carolina
Southwest Region Representative: Chenoa Scippo, Santa Clara Pueblo/Navajo of New Mexico
Western Region Representative: Steve Harvey, San Carlos Apache of Arizona
Female Co-President – Kiera Toya (Pueblo of Jemez, NM)
Great Plains – Elijah Landin (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation, ND)
Midwest – Mary Bush (Match-e-be-nash-she-wish-Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan)
Northeast – William Mosley, Vice President (Naticoke, Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, NJ)
Northwest – Izaiah Fisher, Secretary (Confderated Tribes of Siletz Indians)
Pacific – Katylynn Johnston (Bishop Paiute Tribe, CA)
Rocky Mountain – ArriAnna Henry-Matt (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, MT)
Southeast – Kaiden McGhee (Poarch Band of Creek Indians, AL)
Southern Plains – Colby WhiteThunder (Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, TX)
Southwest – Chenoa Scippo (Santa Clara Pueblo/Navajo, NM)
Western – Audriana Mitchell (Southern Cheyenne/Navajo, AZ)
Female Co-President – Brittany McKane (Mvskoke, OK)
Great Plains – Elijah Landin (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation, ND)
Midwest – Anthony Tamez (Match-e-be-nash-she-wish-Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan)
Northeast – William Mosley, Vice President (Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, NJ)
Northwest – Izaiah Fisher, Secretary (Confderated Tribes of Siletz Indians)
Pacific – Kirsten Butcher (Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, CA)
Rocky Mountain – ArriAnna Henry-Matt (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, MT)
Southeast – Kaiden McGhee (Poarch Band of Creek Indians, AL)
Southern Plains – Colby WhiteThunder (Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, TX)
Southwest – Chenoa Scippio (Santa Clara Pueblo/Navajo, NM)
Western – Tyloria Antone (Tohono O’odham, AZ)
Top Issues Facing Native Youth Identified at National UNITY Council Meeting
During the National UNITY Council (NUC) Business Meeting held on July 2, 2024, at the National UNITY Conference in Portland, Oregon, youth leaders from UNITY’s 10 regions, representing over 320 affiliated youth councils across 36 states, identified and adopted the top 10 issues facing Native youth. These priorities reflect the critical challenges impacting their communities:
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Substance Abuse
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Suicide
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Education/School Drop-out
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Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR)
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Single Parent Households
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Bullying/Gossiping
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Lack of Cultural Identity
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Unhealthy Relationships
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Blood Quantum
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Lack of Positive Role Models
These issues will guide UNITY’s advocacy and programmatic efforts as they work to address and support the needs of Native youth across the nation.
