{"id":7491,"date":"2020-07-27T11:19:19","date_gmt":"2020-07-27T15:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/covid19\/?p=7491"},"modified":"2020-07-27T11:19:19","modified_gmt":"2020-07-27T15:19:19","slug":"united-national-indian-tribal-youth-inc-unity-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/covid19\/2020\/07\/27\/united-national-indian-tribal-youth-inc-unity-5\/","title":{"rendered":"United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"unity\"

Artwork by Evynn Richardson (Haliwa-Saponi Tribe). Image courtesy UNITY<\/p><\/div>\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong><\/p>\n

UNITY<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s First-Ever Virtual Conference Inspires Native Youth from Across the Country<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The annual leadership event featured speakers including Congresswomen Deb Haaland (New Mexico) and Sharice Davids (Kansas), recording artists Jewel, Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas, Radmilla Cody, filmmaker Kyle Bell and more.<\/em><\/p>\n

July 27, 2020<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>– Mesa, AZ –<\/strong>\u00a0Native American youth from urban and rural communities across the nation gathered for United National Indian Tribal Youth\u2019s (UNITY) first-ever virtual national conference. Through three online gatherings held June 25, July 9, and July 23, Native youth and tribal leaders came together for cultural sharing, education, awards, music, and celebration relating to the conference theme \u201cHealing Starts Here.\u201d For 44 years, UNITY\u00a0has offered\u00a0essential support to Native American and Alaska Native youth, ages 14-24, through various programming opportunities, instilling a foundation for youth leaders and advocates to activate and build upon being positive change agents in their communities.<\/p>\n

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges to our communities, so our theme of \u2018Healing Starts Here\u2019 was particularly meaningful for this year\u2019s conference,” said Mary Kim Titla, UNITY Executive Director. “While we had hoped to meet in person, the virtual conference ended up being a wonderful alternative. We learned so much from this experience, and were able to incorporate some of our important traditions while creating new memories that will make a lasting impact.”<\/p>\n

More than 1,100 registrants participated in the UNITY Virtual Conferences, representing 228 tribal and indigenous communities from across 41 states and Canada. UNITY youth favorites like Master of Ceremonies Chance Rush, DJ Marcus Guinn (aka emcee one), UNITY Drum and UNITY Fire returned for the virtual conference, and attendees heard from many prestigious presenters. Speakers included the country\u2019s first two Native American congresswomen, Deb Haaland of New Mexico and Sharice Davids of Kansas; award-winning artists, actors and singers like Taboo, Takana Means, Jewel, Bunky Echo-Hawk, Radmilla Cody, and Kyle Bell, entrepreneur, and author, Alyssa\u00a0London; and Native youth leaders like Anthony Tamez-Pochel, Rory Wheeler, Lexie James, and Cheyenne Kippenberger.<\/p>\n

Attendees were able to participate in online workshops, a college and career expo, and live discussions on timely subjects like \u201cBlack Lives Matter \u2013 How it Resonates with Native Americans,\u201d moderated by Juanita Toledo. Through the Cultural\u00a0Exchange and a \u201cMusic is My Medicine\u201d virtual concert, which featured Native youth instrumentalists and vocalists, Native youth participants were able to share their talents.<\/p>\n

Also, on Thursday, July 16, a special session was held where Native youth leaders from UNITY participated in a congressional forum led by Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), chair of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States. The subject of the hearing is\u00a0Native Youth Perspectives on Mental Health and Healing<\/em>. The youth leaders discussed the mental health impacts facing Native youth in the United States, education and safety, and ideas on how policy can reduce trauma and promote healing.<\/p>\n

UNITY\u2019s key leadership training team included Robert Johnston, Chance Rush, Juanita Toledo, Lovina Louie, and emcee one\/Marcus Guinn.<\/p>\n

During the conference, several awards were presented, including winners of the business plan competition, sponsored by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) and the American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL). The winners were:<\/p>\n