As the fall season began, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation came alive with gatherings that celebrated culture, community, and youth leadership. In the middle of it all was Southern Plains Executive Committee Member Victor Organista, whose presence could be felt at events ranging from food drives to kickball games, golf fundraisers, and even a national journalism conference. With each role—whether handing out food, emceeing a talent show, or learning from Indigenous journalists—Victor demonstrated what it means to serve with both humility and purpose.
The Southern Plains Representative kicked off the season by participating in a Harvesters food drive, where he distributed free food to families, a small act with a big impact for those in need. At the Boys and Girls Club talent show, Victor stepped into the role of emcee, encouraging children from kindergarten through eighth grade to showcase their gifts in front of their community. Later, he learned to make traditional bone necklaces and gifted one to a respected elder who had served for years as a Title VI director. These moments, though seemingly simple, reflect his deep belief that leadership is about lifting others up and honoring those who have paved the way.
The season also brought opportunities for larger-scale community engagement. Victor helped organize a golf tournament at Firekeepers Golf Course, raising funds to support the Boys and Girls Club, and joined in a community-wide kickball event that brought together families of all ages for fun and connection. Each of these gatherings ties directly into the Top Ten Issues Facing Native Youth, from strengthening youth programs to promoting health, wellness, and community spirit.
Victor’s journey extended beyond his own homelands when he attended the Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Traveling with his peers in the KU journalism student news team Good Morning Indian Country, Victor witnessed firsthand the power of Indigenous voices in media. The team won three awards for best newscast, but what inspired him most was the gathering itself. “By attending the IJA conference, I was inspired by being surrounded by all the Indigenous journalists who aim to shed light on our Indigenous communities by bringing up events and issues that we are dealing with,” Victor said.
“It was a great event that taught me new skills, raised awareness, and helped me network with others. With these new skills and connections, my aim is to bring it back to my community and help teach the youth about media.”
This focus on storytelling reflects UNITY’s commitment to youth voice and civic engagement. By pursuing media training and sharing what he learns, Victor is helping to ensure that Native youth stories are told accurately and powerfully—an effort that not only addresses cultural preservation but also amplifies Indigenous leadership on local and national levels.
As a representative of the National UNITY Council, Victor carries the voices of Native youth from the Southern Plains into national UNITY discussions, connecting local service to UNITY’s broader collective impact strategy. His service, whether through fundraising, mentoring, or amplifying Native voices in media, shows that leadership takes many forms—and every one of them matters.
Victor’s story is an invitation for other Native youth to step forward this season and create their own projects that reflect the Top Ten Issues. Whether hosting a sports event to encourage healthy living, organizing service days for elders, or building youth-led media workshops, young leaders can draw inspiration from Victor’s example and take action in their own communities.