On October 10, 2016, UNITY hosted a special leadership breakfast, celebrating Native Youth and the recent passage of Indigenous People Day by the City of Phoenix.

A special presentation was given by the newly formed UNITY youth council, Future Inspired Native American Leaders, from the Phoenix Indian Center. The group, led by Vice-President Tyrell Tunney, gave testimony in front of the City of Phoenix Mayor and Council, to support a resolution to recognize “Indigenous Peoples Day.” The resolution was unanimously approved, making the City of Phoenix the largest U.S. city to recognize the day.

Chairman Brian Cladoosby, President of NCAI, also attended the breakfast, sharing words of support for Native youth leaders, encouraging them to be involved and to continue being a voice on behalf of their peers and communities. He presented the youth leaders in attendance with selfie-sticks, telling them to take plenty of photos while at the NCAI convention.

A special announcement was made by guests Lucille Echohawk and Gay Kingman Wapato. UNITY will be embarking on a new capital campaign, with efforts to build a national youth leadership training center. Both Ms. Echohawk and Ms. Kingman Wapato are serving as capital campaign co-chairs, along with Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. More details about the campaign will be announced soon.