Mesa, AZ – April 27, 2020 – Due to the uncertainty surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic and potential of continued restrictions on large gatherings, UNITY Inc. and the Board of Trustees announces the cancellation of their in-person national conference, originally scheduled to take place in Washington, DC, July 3-7, 2020.
To continue meeting its mission to support Native youth, UNITY will launch a FREE three-part virtual conference that will take place in June and July 2020. It is through these virtual meetings that UNITY will continue the vital work of empowering American Indian and Alaska Native youth and fostering their spiritual, mental, physical, and social development, especially during this critical point in the nation’s history.
“We know these are unprecedented times, but UNITY has survived for 44 years, and we intend to be here to serve our Native youth well into the future,” said Mary Kim Titla, UNITY’s executive director. “UNITY’s Board of Trustees and staff look forward to a time when we can again meet face to face. In the meantime, we encourage all in our communities to take care of each other, and support each other during this difficult time.”UNITY will be in contact with those groups and individuals who have paid registration fees and provide specifics about the reimbursement process.Additional details about the virtual conference will be forthcoming, including registration information, sponsorship, workshop presenter, exhibitor, and other opportunities. On-going conference updates and the latest news from UNITY is available on its website.
Among many highlights of the virtual conference will be the recognition of UNITY’s 2020 class of 25 Under 25. At 6 pm EST today, UNITY will announce the first five members on its Instagram and Facebook pages, with an additional five honorees to be announced each day this week.The list will also be available on UNITY’s website.
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ABOUT UNITY
Founded in 1976, United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) is a national network organization promoting personal development, citizenship, and leadership among Native Youth. UNITY’s mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth ages 14 -24, and to help build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement. UNITY’s network currently includes 320 affiliated youth councils in 36 states. Youth Councils are sponsored by Tribes, Alaska Native villages, high schools, colleges, urban centers, and others. |
