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Youth Programming

The heart of UNITY is its affiliated youth councils, which are sponsored by tribes, Alaska Native villages, high schools, colleges, urban centers, and others. Youth Councils engage in annual projects in four areas – cultural preservation, environmental awareness, healthy lifestyles, and community service. UNITY has a growing number of affiliated youth councils, which currently stands at 320 in operation in 36 states. UNITY is the only organization to have a formal network of youth councils.
Members of each UNITY-affiliated youth council appoint two individuals (one young woman, one young man) to serve as their representatives on the National UNITY Council (NUC). Native youth throughout the United States, who are UNITY affiliates, elect individuals to serve as Area Representatives on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee. The ten geographical areas are as follows: Great Plains, Midwest, Northeast, Northwest, Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Southeast, Southern Plains, Southwest, and Western. Two youth (one young man, one young woman) are elected by the NUC membership each year to serve as National UNITY Council Co-Presidents.

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

Northwestern Region | Pacific Region  | Rocky Mountain Region |  Western Region | Southwest Region | Southern Plains Region  | Midwest Region | Southeast Region | NorthEastern Region

(Hover over each region to view more information)

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The following articles provide a general overview of the steps a Native youth group may use to form a youth council. There are also links to documents that contain a more detailed explanation of the process. The documents may be read online or downloaded and stored on a personal computer for quick access.
For more information on forming a New Youth Council
Download a step-by-step guide to establish a UNITY Youth Council
For more information on UNITY Membership Click Here 
Questions?
Please contact Greg Mendoza, Youth Programs Director at G.mendoza@unityinc.org or (480) 718-9793.

2023-24 National UNITY Council (NUC)
Executive Committee Application

Application

This application is for National UNITY Council (NUC) members who are interested in running for a regional area representative position on the NUC Executive Committee. Members petitioning must be in good standing in order for their name to be on the ballot.

For those individuals who plan to run virtually, should submit their 2-minute campaign video by June 1. Criteria for good standing is as follows:

Representatives of youth councils in Good Standing:

-Youth Council Constitution and Bylaws submitted

-Letter of Resolution

-Completed one project in the past year

-Submit an annual youth council report at https://forms.gle/EuzEXGucXTtXNNVKA

-$100.00 affiliation fee

Individuals in Good Standing:

-Letter of support from a tribal leader

-Annual Report (community service completed within the year) at https://forms.gle/EheLmPwQodeUHEtAA

-$50.00 affiliation fee

Criteria for those running for a Co-President (Female and Male) position:

-Must be in good standing

-Must have previously served as an Area Representative on the NUC Executive Committee

DEADLINE to submit petition is June 8, 5:00pm (Mountain Standard Time)

UNITY 2023-24 Annual Membership Report

Annual Membership Report

Every year, UNITY requires a report on behalf of your youth council as part of the membership requirement.  Individuals, whom are without a youth council can submit through this application as well.  Along with the yearly report, fees must be submitted by the designated deadline in order to be eligible vote during the National UNITY Council Business Meetings, at both the National and Midyear Conference, and to be eligible for perks for being a part of the network.  Perks may include, but not limited to, youth council materials, resources, network contacts and eligibility for awards.

Youth Councils in good standing must have:

-Youth Council Constitution and Bylaws submitted (one time)

-Letter of Resolution (one time)

-Completed one project in the past year

-Submit a Annual Youth Council Report

-$100.00 affiliation fee

Individuals in good standing:

-Letter of support from a tribal leader

-Annual Report

-$50.00 affiliation fee

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Youth Councils of Distinction

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