1976 — UNITY established: UNITY was founded by J.R. Cook, Cherokee, in Weatherford, OK, and conducted its first national conference in Oklahoma City. J.R. served as Executive Director without a salary for about 7 years. J.R.’s mother, the late Golda Cook, supported UNITY during the early years.

1978 — UNITY Moves Headquarters: The UNITY headquarters was moved from Weatherford, Oklahoma to Oklahoma City. Vivian Payne contributed the use of her former home, rent-free, for UNITY to use as its headquarters.

1978 — Andy Payne Memorial Foot Races: UNITY conducted the first annual Andy Payne Memorial Foot Races in honor of the late Andy Payne, Cherokee, who, in 1928, won the Trans-American Footrace from Los Angeles to New York City.

1979 — First White House Native youth gathering in Washington, DC: UNITY, NIAA and the Department of Labor co-sponsored a conference in Washington, D.C. at George Washington University. During the event the youth assembled on the south lawn of the White House where President Jimmy Carter and his son Chip met with about 300 Native students.