Meet Evelyn Vega-Simpson: Through serving as the Media Coordinator for the Tulalip Youth Council, 16 year old Evelyn has developed excellent public speaking skills while being comfortable in front of a crowd. “I have developed problem solving skills, and have good communication skills” she explained. Evelyn found her true calling for leadership through her community service work preserving the environment. As the Chair of the Environment Committee, Evelyn would like to change the way Tulalip Tribes recycle. Another goal for her is to work with her Tribal Board of Directors to install more solar panels.

“When I am older, I hope to attend Cambridge University; to become a general surgeon. Working towards this goal, has taught me a good work ethic and how to stay self- motivated.”  She is also part of the National Honors Society, and active in band for 5 years. She expresses herself through playing the french horn, trumpet and piano in Symphonic and Wind Ensemble.

Evelyn became passionate about her conservation efforts for many reasons. She explained how she wants to be more active in “saving the sacred earth” with other Youth Councils in the UNITY Northwest Region (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska). Evelyn explained how she “thinks one thing that we need to work on as a tribe, is protecting the environment; and making it cleaner and healthier!” She hopes to encourage other tribes to become more active in protecting their natural resources as well. Evelyn shared how she “would like to start pushing recycling so that we can stop having plastic in our oceans.  I would like spread environmental awareness with my UNITY network.” Many native youth share her enthusiasm and are creating awareness in their local communities. UNITY provides opportunities for youth to learn environmental stewardship skills through the Earth Ambassador Program.

UNITY helps Inspire Hope in Native youth by sharing their peers stories of success. If you have an exceptional youth leader in your community, please share their story with UNITY by emailing la.buford@unityinc.org to be featured on our website.