At the heart of the 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference was the celebration of cultural knowledge passed down through generations. From languages to crafting traditions, UNITY workshops gave Native youth the tools to engage with ancestral teachings in modern ways. These sessions reminded young people that by learning traditional practices, they are not just keeping culture alive—they are becoming culture-bearers for the next generation.
Brenda Whitehorse (Navajo) offered an engaging, bilingual session titled “Learning Your Culture and Language Can Make a Difference in Your Future Success!”“Youth created vision boards in both English and their Native languages. It gave them a tangible way to visualize their futures, grounded in who they are,” Whitehorse shared. “Many of them said it made them feel more connected to their grandparents.”
In “Utilizing the Diné Philosophy of Learning to Achieve Success,” Denise Jensen (Diné) introduced youth to the spiritual framework of the Diné educational process.“They learned how to use traditional teachings as a guide for long-term goal setting and leadership. One youth told me it was the first time they saw their culture as a leadership model,” Jensen said.
Raquel Britton (Yuki/Round Valley Indian Tribes) led the hands-on workshop “Pine Needle Basket Making and Pine Nuts Necklace Making.”“As they wove baskets, youth shared stories, asked about tribal history, and talked about how these crafts reminded them of home. They walked away with something beautiful they made with their hands—and a deeper understanding of their roots,” Britton reflected.
These sessions gave participants a physical and spiritual connection to their heritage. Language, basketry, and traditional knowledge weren’t framed as the past—they were active, present, and vital.
Youth left these workshops with pride, but also responsibility: to carry forward their languages, arts, and teachings. For many, it was their first time learning these skills—but it certainly won’t be their last. By reclaiming these practices, participants strengthened their identities and their sense of belonging. Through UNITY, they came to understand that every word, every stitch, and every teaching is a thread in the living tapestry of their Nations.