As the fall season unfolded across Arizona, Amaya Escalante of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Western Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, reflected on a time filled with meaning, community, and culture. For the Pascua Yaqui people, this season marks the celebration of Federal Recognition, a cornerstone of identity and sovereignty — and for Amaya, it became a season of gratitude, remembrance, and leadership in action.
“This season was truly a blessing for me and my community,” Amaya shared. “Each event carried its own meaning — from celebrating our Senior Royalty to welcoming new youth leaders, to standing alongside my peers for suicide prevention and Every Child Matters. I was reminded that our strength as Yoeme people comes from our unity, our culture, and the foundation laid by our elders.”
Throughout the fall, Amaya’s schedule was packed with both celebration and service. She joined the Annual Employee Co-ed Slow Pitch Tournament with her Casino Del Sol team “Sol Ballerz,” earning recognition as an All-Tourney Player and showcasing the camaraderie and teamwork that define her approach to leadership.
She also attended the Senior Center Coronation on the Pascua Yaqui Reservation, a touching moment where her grandparents were crowned as part of the new Senior Royalty. Witnessing this milestone, Amaya expressed deep gratitude: “They have laid the foundation for our youth to continue building a path for the future, and I felt blessed to witness and celebrate their legacy.”
Her leadership continued to shine when she served as a guest speaker at the Yoeme Youth Council Inauguration and later at the Miss Pascua Yaqui Pageant, encouraging both outgoing and incoming royalty. Having once held the title of Junior Miss Pascua Yaqui (2022–2023), Amaya found it inspiring to see new leaders stepping forward to represent their people with pride and hope.
Community service remained at the heart of her fall. During the Annual Federal Recognition Event in Guadalupe, Amaya volunteered alongside her leadership group Chokim, Secretary Rosa Alvarez, and Chairman Julian Hernandez, celebrating the Tribe’s sovereignty and resilience. She later joined the Casino Del Sol Tribal Development Team to host a flower-making workshop, teaching the cultural and spiritual significance of Yaqui flowers — a beautiful bridge between tradition and education.
Amaya also collaborated with Earth Ambassador Laylalanai Gocobachi and the Department of Language and Culture for a Suicide Prevention Healing Circle, where youth and elders came together to share stories of trauma, resilience, and hope.
Participants painted pots and planted seeds — living symbols of renewal and collective healing. “What meant the most to me was seeing how each event connected generations together — elders, youth, leaders, and community members all coming together to celebrate, learn, and heal,” she reflected.
Her work extended to the Im Mampo Tawak Youth Summit, where she led icebreakers, spoke about unity and leadership, and participated in workshops on beading, suicide prevention, and Yaqui agriculture.
She concluded the season by speaking at the Every Child Matters Walk, honoring children, families, and survivors affected by the residential school era, standing alongside her community in remembrance and solidarity.
Through her efforts, Amaya embodied the essence of the National UNITY Council’s mission — inspiring hope, fostering healing, and empowering Native youth to lead with compassion and cultural pride. As a member of the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, representing the Western Region, she continues to amplify Yoeme voices while strengthening ties between generations. Her journey reminds us that true leadership is rooted in service, guided by tradition, and fueled by love for one’s people.
