The 2021 Janet Reno Forum will explore how to restructure systems to better support crossover youth, centering the conversations on the experiences of youth and families impacted by the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. This includes dedicated Forum sessions examining how to best address the needs of youth, including commercially sexually exploited youth, youth […]
Healing Indigenous Lives Youth Submission: Korbin Storms, Native Village of Unalakleet, Alaska I would tell Native Youth that struggle to see themselves as leaders that they have resiliency in their DNA, that sometimes it takes someone who has been low and lost before to connect to others that are feeling that way, that they have […]
UNITY Healing Indigenous Lives Youth Submission: Damien Carlos My whole life until I was fifteen, I didn’t know much of anything about my culture besides the fact that I belonged to the Tohono O’odham tribe. I knew nothing about where I came from. I went to schools on and off the reservation. My family dealt […]
From the Center for Native American Youth: On November 20, the Center for Native American Youth released its annual State of Native Youth report. The report highlights young leaders who are working hard to create a brighter future for tribal nations, the programs that help them do so, and the policy issues that impact their […]
Get to know the newest UNITY Peer Guide Cohort and learn more about their passion for advocating for “non-traditional” Native youth leadership. UNITY has recruited this diverse group of youth mentors, to design and facilitate six regional trainings across the nation. These trainings will empower Native youth to speak out about critical aspects of juvenile […]
As Indian Country’s cultural goodwill ambassador, UNITY Peer Guide Cheyenne Kippenberger, of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, has created a call to action for Native Youth and her fellow tribal royalty. See Kippenberger’s video to learn more on her efforts to instill cultural pride in Native youth identities and sense of belonging.
UNITY Peer Guide Savanna Rilatos, Confederated Tribes of Siletz, OR, shared how she was able to give back to her community in a meaningful way: “Serving as Miss Siletz was such a rewarding experience, I represented my people, my community, my family, my culture, and my traditions. I was able to travel around the United […]
UNITY youth leaders have taken center stage across the U.S. this Native American Heritage Month. UNITY Peer Guide and Earth Ambassador, Angela Noah, White Mountain Apache, presented at the Oregon Students of Color Conference at Lane Community College representing the University of Oregon’s Native American Student Union. Her workshop, “Resiliency in Storytelling,” about the importance […]
UNITY’s Peer Guide and student intern is now also the current reigning Miss Indian Arizona. Audriana Mitchell, Colorado River Indian Tribes, and her court are doing a fantastic job! Learn more about our Miss Indian Arizona through this great article shining light on her accomplishments. Mitchell shared “I was very proud to be able to […]
UNITY Peer Guide Rory Wheeler, Seneca Nation, reflects on his experience volunteering at the Native American Presidential Forum: I was honored to be part of the historic Frank LaMere Native American Presidential Forum in Sioux City, Iowa. The event paid tribute to Frank LaMere, who passed away earlier this year. LaMere dedicated much of his work around […]
