Anisa Pelayo, 22, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Las Vegas

School: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Marketing, University of Nevada Las Vegas

Bio: Anisa Pelayo is a citizen of the Cedar Band of Paiutes of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah. She is Nuwu and Diné. She recently graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in marketing. During her time at UNLV, Anisa was named the Outstanding Graduate selected by UNLV President Chris Heavey chosen from a graduating class of more than 7,000 students and became the first Native student to receive this distinction. Anisa is the co-founder and former president of the UNLV American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) Chapter, where she played a key role in establishing the first AIBL chapter in Nevada. She now continues her leadership as the chapter’s advisor, supporting the next generation of Indigenous business leaders. Professionally, Anisa serves as the Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator for the Indian Nations Gaming and Governance Program at the William S. Boyd School of Law, where she leads communications, outreach, and engagement initiatives. She is currently preparing to pursue her Juris Doctor at the Boyd School of Law, with a focus on advancing opportunities in tribal governance, law, and economic development.

Jalen Harvey, 21, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Hopi Tribe, Arizona

School: Associate of Arts Political Science, Paradise Valley Community College

Bio: Jalen Harvey is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, and comes from the Pueblo of Acoma, and Hopi Tribe. She is a sophomore at the Paradise Valley Community College, where she majors in Political Science. Jalen is a former Secretary and Western Area Representative to the National UNITY Council (United National Indian Tribal Youth) Executive Committee. Along with holding her responsibilities with UNITY, she has also been an active member for the past four consecutive years with the F.I.N.A.L (Future Inspired Native American Leaders) Youth Council at the Phoenix Indian Center, where she held the positions of Community Service Co-Chairperson, Executive Vice-President, and the Executive President. Currently, Jalen is also a former Student Board of Director member for the In His Spirit Non-profit organization. She is a strong advocate who is passionate about addressing Cultural Preservation and finding more opportunities for Indigenous Youth within her region. She strongly encourages and supports Youth involvement within their Tribal communities and local governments. Jalen has found a balance between modern city life and the reservation and continues to practice her traditional ceremonies, as well as continue to be a positive role model to her family and peers.

Keona Hosteen, 24, Navajo Nation, Arizona

School: Pursuing Master of Science in Clinical Speech-Language Pathology; Bachelor of Science Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northern Arizona University

Bio: Keona Hosteen, B.S., is a Navajo graduate student in the Master of Science in Clinical Speech-Language Pathology program at Northern Arizona University. She is a research assistant with the Department of Health Sciences at NAU, where she focuses on culturally responsive practices and improving access to services for Native American communities. Keona is involved in research with Navajo children and families, including work related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and has interests in early intervention and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). In addition to her academic work, she holds leadership roles on campus supporting Indigenous student success, where she has served as a mentor and contributed to initiatives that uplift and guide fellow students. Upon completion of her program, she aspires to work as a speech-language pathologist while continuing community-engaged research that uplifts Indigenous perspectives in healthcare and education.

Laylalanai Gocobachi, 20, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Arizona

School: Environmental Science with an Emphasis in Soil, Air, and Water, University of Arizona

Bio: Laylalanai is a Yaqui/Mayo (Yoeme/Yoreme) undergraduate student majoring in environmental science with an emphasis in soil, air, and water. Her work is rooted in cultural teachings and guided by intent, relationality, and cultural wisdom that stem from the gift of her ancestors’ knowledge. Additionally, Laylalanai serves as the 2026-2027 Miss Native American University of Arizona, and a college representative board member for Indigi Girls. Braiding these roles with her education from the University of Arizona, she aims to integrate traditional ecological knowledge with Western science to combat climate change and sustainably heal the damage caused to the Earth for the health of future generations.

Meranden Numkena, 24, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Arizona

School: Certificate in Events Management, Watts College; Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation and Sports Management, Arizona State University

Bio: Meranden Lauren Numkena is a recent graduate of Arizona State University where she majored in Parks, Recreation, and Sports management (BS) while also working towards her Events Management certificate at the Watts College. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, she was recognized as the Outstanding Student for the School of Community Resources and Development. Her most recent work involves interning with Arizona Conservation Corps and Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps at Grand Canyon National Park to amplify Indigenous voices through various efforts. This includes planning Native American Heritage Month events from 2024-2025 and being a co-host of the Grand Canyon Speaks podcast that highlights the voices of tribal members who call the canyon home. In addition to that, she has explored the fashion world and made her modeling debut in August at the 2025 SWAIA Fashion Show and was even featured in Vogue. Since then, she has traveled to multiple states to walk in Indigenous fashion shows to support Native excellence and meet relatives all over Turtle Island. As her passions stay deeply rooted to her native community, she will be starting a new role with Arizona Conservation Corps to use her experiences as an Individual Placement to mentor and provide outreach to youth in Northern Arizona.

Myson Galindo, 17, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Arizona

School: Junior, Saguaro High School

Bio: My name is Myson Galindo, a 17-year-old junior at Saguaro High School and a proud member of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. I am O’odham, Pima, and Pueblo, and I carry my identity with pride in both my personal growth and community involvement. I currently serve as the Corresponding Secretary for the Young River People’s Council (YRPC), where I support communication and media while staying actively involved in youth initiatives. I have been part of YRPC since it reopened, previously serving as Clerical Secretary and Treasurer, and I consistently show up to represent and support my community at events. I am deeply committed to self-growth and self  care, focusing on improving my mindset, relationships, and daily habits. Over time, I have worked to better myself academically and personally, raising my grades and becoming more intentional in everything I do. I strive to be someone others can feel comfortable around by creating a safe and welcoming space where people feel heard and supported. Through my involvement in community efforts such as youth events, mural projects, and UNITY initiatives, I contribute to uplifting the next generation and ensuring youth voices are present and valued. Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing as a leader and role model within my community while building a future where I can make a lasting impact. I believe that change starts with self-awareness and consistency, and I aim to carry those values forward in everything I do.

Ohiya Walker, 17, Cheyenne River Sioux, Red Lake Ojibwe, Mvskoke Creek, Arizona

School: Senior, New School for the Arts & Academics

Bio: Ohíya Walker (they/them) is Mniconjou Lakota, Red Lake Ojibwe, and Mvskoke Creek. They are an enrolled citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. They are a rising senior at the New Schools for the Arts & Academics in Tempe, Arizona, where they are active with the National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa, and several advanced and dual credit courses, including Mandarin, fashion, acting, and musical theater, with a lead role in this year’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Ohíya is an active member of Future Inspired Native American Leaders, the Phoenix Indian Center’s youth council, where they have served in several elected positions, including this year as Vice President. Ohíya is passionate about art in all its forms, but especially fashion, which they hope to study in college. Their designs recently took first place in the teen category at the 5th Annual Indigenous Community Fashion Showcase (Spring 2026). Additionally, from November 2025 to February 2026, Ohíya’s work was displayed in the Resist & Reclaim Art Exhibition at the Goldstein Museum of Design in Minneapolis. They were one of 20 Black and Indigenous women/femme artists – and the only artist under 20 – commissioned for the year-long project, which asked each designer to transform second-hand denim jackets into powerful stories. Through beadwork, crochet, painting, and mixed media design, Ohíya was praised for reimagining their piece as an ancestral portal to the future, which they titled, “Relatives at Arms [Length]” to address life as a young, urban Native who is called to fight for their Community. To prepare for the rigors of life in fashion, Ohíya has applied to prestigious programs across the country; they spent July 2025 at Sotheby’s Summer Art Institute in Manhattan. They were accepted to participate in Sotheby’s intense luxury fashion business course at Pace University. They were accepted into the 2026 Marist University Summer Pre-College Program to study fashion design and apparel construction. Other art mediums have also been recognized. Ohíya illustrated “The Trickster Riots,” (Abalone Mountain Press, 2022), a full-length book of poetry. One of the illustrations won the 2022 Creative Native award from the Center for Native American Youth; in 2023, several pieces were featured in the “Native Voice” exhibit at the Museum of Indigenous People in Prescott, Arizona. Ohíya has participated in several youth markets, including at the Heard Museum and the S’edav Va’aki Young Artist Market, at which they consistently win awards for paintings, textiles, and other art styles. They are thrilled and humbled to represent UNITY and the FINAL Youth Council as part of the 2026 cohort of 25 Under 25. Ohíya is looking forward to gaining new leadership skills, sharing their knowledge of community-building through art, and beginning their senior year of high school.

Priya Simpson, 22, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Arizona

Career: Office Manager, Office of White Mountain Apache Chairman Carroll

Bio: Priya Simpson enlisted in the United States Army at seventeen. Through the Army she became the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program Installation President, advocating for soldiers’ well-being. In that role, she supported peers through serious challenges and worked to address issues like suicide prevention. After four years of service, Miss Simpson returned home committed to continuing to help her people by becoming the 1st Miss White Mountain Apache Queen Veteran. Her dedication goes beyond the title and is rooted in helping others feel supported and valued.

Ursula Myron-Salvata, 20, Hopi Tribe, Arizona

School: Pharmacology & Toxicology and Forensic Science, Arizona State University

Bio: Ursula Myron-Salvata is a 20-year-old from Tuba City, Arizona. She is from the village of Moenkopi and her clan is Paqapwungwa (Bamboo). She is also half Italian American on her mother’s side. Ursula is a second-year student at Arizona State University pursuing concurrent majors in Pharmacology & Toxicology (BS) and Forensic Science (BS) at the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. She is fueled by her passion for serving underserved populations such as her own on the Hopi reservation, as well as advocating for public health by addressing issues such as animal welfare and homelessness. With her degrees, she aspires to pursue a career in Forensic Toxicology, thereby helping navigate the issues of drug and alcohol dependency, especially within her own community. Recently, Ursula was selected as a scholar for the SHPEP program at the University of Washington, where she will be participating in the Public Health pathway. In her free time, Ursula tends to the stray animal population within her hometown and village and advocates for their prosperity. She also loves to crochet and read science fiction novels.

Vydell Willie, 19, Navajo Nation, Arizona

School: Indian Country Criminal Justice, Northern Arizona University

Bio: Vydell Willie is a 19-year-old and a proud member of the Navajo Nation, currently attending Northern Arizona University where he studies Indian Country Criminal Justice. His work is rooted in strengthening justice systems for tribal communities and uplifting Indigenous voices. Through his work with the 25 Under 25 program, he will uplift the voices and work of Native youth while strengthening relationships between youth, elders, and community leaders. Recently named one of 25 Native youth selected for the 25 Under 25 National Leadership Recognition Program, Vydell continues to lead with purpose. As a former UNITY Earth Ambassador and currently serving as the Central Agency Representative for the Navajo Nation Youth Advisory Council, he works alongside youth, elders, and leaders across Indian Country, using storytelling and advocacy to create meaningful change. As a Diné youth, Vydell was raised to believe that leadership is not about recognition or titles but about responsibility, humility, and giving back to your people. That belief guides everything he does and continues to shape his goal of building stronger, more culturally grounded justice systems for future generations.