The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) recently published a story in its online newsletter about the “Today’s Native Leaders” initiative. After reading the introductory paragraphs, click on over and read the rest of the story and view the photo gallery of highlights from the 2014 National UNITY Conference.

 OJJDP and UNITY Promote “Today’s Native Leaders” Initiative at National Conference

On June 28–July 3, 2014, approximately 1,400 American Indian and Alaska Native youth from across the country convened in Portland, OR, for the 2014 National UNITY Conference…

At the conference, OJJDP and UNITY educated youth about Today’s Native Leaders, a new initiative that will offer tribal youth leadership training in seven regions over the next 3 years. The trainings will provide culturally relevant leadership development opportunities and have been scheduled for Mesa, AZ, and Fort Lauderdale, FL, in 2014; Rapid City, IA, and Spokane, WA, in 2015; Palm Springs, CA, and Saint Paul, MN, in 2016; and Boston, MA, in 2017. Trainings will expand the number of UNITY youth councils and youth-led community service projects. In addition, youth trained through the initiative will have an opportunity to play leadership roles at the annual national UNITY conferences.

Read the rest of the story HERE.

Southeast Native Youth – Today’s Native Leaders is coming to you in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida! We will host a Community Service Academy, October 24th through the 26th. The Community Service Academy is a how-to workshop for planning community service projects designed for success and tailored for tribal youth in your community. You will also learn how to establish a UNITY youth council or strengthen your existing council as part of the national UNITY network!

During the weekend of October 24th (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), UNITY staff and professional leadership trainers will be working with you to sharpen your leadership skills and work with amazing youth from your area. More detailed information will be posted on this website as it becomes available.

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The following story is from an April 9, 2014 UNITY news release.

Mesa, Arizona—UNITY, Inc. has named three individuals with extensive experience in Indian country to spearhead a national leadership initiative in partnership with the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).  UNITY, an acronym for United National Indian Tribal Youth, is a national organization that promotes personal development, citizenship, and leadership among American Indian and Alaska Native youth between the ages of 14 – 24. With one of the largest and oldest American Indian youth leadership networks in North America, UNITY has 140 affiliated youth councils in 35 states. Youth councils are sponsored by tribes, Alaska Native villages, high schools, colleges and other community organizations.

Wendy Weston, Navajo, has been hired as the Project Manager for the National Intertribal Youth Leadership Development Initiative also known as “Today’s Native Leaders.”  The Initiative is designed to offer regional and national trainings and learning opportunities for American Indian youth to increase positive outcomes in their school, community and family environments. Lynnann Yazzie, Navajo, will serve as Project Coordinator and Tami Patterson as the project’s Bookkeeper.

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Chandler, Arizona–United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) has entered into a four-year cooperative agreement with the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to plan and implement the National Intertribal Youth Leadership Development Initiative. The Initiative’s goal is to offer opportunities for Native American youth to, “Reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors in youth, schools, communities, and families.” To accomplish this goal, the Initiative will conduct a series of national and regional Intertribal Youth Leadership Development gatherings and a range of related youth leadership development opportunities for Native American and Alaska Native youth.

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