Earlier this month, the National UNITY Council Executive Committee (NUC EC) hosted their retreat at the Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, Oregon. The NUC EC engaged in numerous topics including campaign building discussions and strategies. The trainings were led by UNITY facilitator and former NUC Executive Committee Co-President, Juanita Toledo.
Seven of the 12 NUC Executive Committee Members were in attendance including Joseph Davis, SuSun Fisher, Jeffrey Curry III, Anissa Garcia, ArriAnna Matt, Rachael Arthur, and Kayla Toledo.

During the retreat, the NUC EC visited with the Grand Ronde Youth Council to discuss effective recruiting approaches for youth council success. Shalene Joseph and several youth ambassadors from the Native Wellness Institutes’ Indigenous 20 Somethings Project (I20SP) also spent time with the NUC EC about the growth and successes of their initiative.

NUC EC Co-President SuSun Fisher’s parents, Tammy Fisher and Bobby Mercier, graciously took the group on a tour to see their traditional homelands including their longhouse, community cooking area, tribal facilities and new powwow grounds. Before leaving, Fisher’s father shared a beautiful, traditional song in the longhouse. It was truly an honor and blessed experience for UNITY’s Executive Committee members and staff.

A huge thank you to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Grand Ronde Youth council for hosting UNITY and allowing us to visit your homeland.  Also, a big thank you to Shalene Joseph and the I20SP ambassadors, as well as Fisher’s family for the impactful presentations.