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White Mountain Apache Youth Council Inaugurate Newly Elected Officers

The following story is from a news release provided by the White Mountain Apache Tribe Education Department.

Whiteriver, AZ – The White Mountain Apache Youth Council held its annual inauguration of newly elected officers on August 14 at Hon-Dah Resort & Casino.

The inauguration event included the swearing in of eleven (11) new officers including Co-Presidents Mitchell Garcia and Desyre Fall, Vice President DeAndra Antonio, Secretary/Treasurer Tyna Altaha, District I Reps Samuel Lupe and Sheldon Zospah, District III Reps Kyrene Williams and Ivan Walker Jr. and District IV Reps Jerry Alsenay, Kendrick Hill and Thea Tenijieth.

Page, AZ High School UNITY Council Featured In Indian Country Today

The Page High School UNITY Council in Arizona was recently featured in Indian Country Today newspaper highlighting their efforts in coordinating their contest pow wow. The UNITY council was successful in their efforts to hold the pow wow despite a few setbacks. Under the leadership of advisor Shannon Secody, the youth council also completed other activities throughout the school year including producing PSAs for healthy lifestyles, attending the UNITY Midyear Meeting in Washington DC, and just recently, being selected as a recipient of a National Park Foundation Active Trails grant for their project "Journey through Waterways and Walkways to Wellness."

Good job Page HS UNITY Council!

Read the article in Indian Country Today here.

Pictured are a few members of The Page HS UNITY Council after a presentation to the Page School Board members regarding their activities throughout the year.

Red Lake Youth Council Participates in Youth Day at Capital

"The Red Lake Nation Youth Council visited the Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 13 to participate in the 6^th Annual Youth Day. The group spent the day educating policy leaders about the benefits of quality youth development programming and engaged youth in the legislative process."

“All young people need and deserve high-quality youth development experiences that will prepare them for life, and the Red Lake Nation has a great opportunity to do our part to help the youth in our community succeed,” said Marilyn Mountain, youth council advisor."

Read the rest of the story online at IndianCountryTodayMediaNetwork.com.

Spotlight on the Anadarko UNITY Council

Healthy Heroes View the Anadarko UNITY Council Photo Gallery for a collection of pictures of this outstanding youth group.

The Anadarko UNITY Council (AUC) started in 2006 and has become very active in the National UNITY Network both locally and on the national level. The mission of the AUC is to provide positive youth leadership development through local, regional, national, and international activities. The combination of special projects, leadership training and networking is a key component to the Anadarko UNITY Council experience.

When asked why the youth of Anadarko have a UNITY Council, the general consensus of the council is: “UNITY gives us something to be a part of! We can stay active in the community and stay out of trouble.”

One member stated at a meeting, “I love UNITY! If it wasn’t for UNITY I would just be at home watching TV or getting into trouble!”

UNITY Youth Councils Described

WHAT IS A YOUTH COUNCIL?

Native American youth can make a difference, but first they must be organized and prepared for action. An effective way to accomplish this is through a youth council. A youth council represents a practical way of enabling youth to have a meaningful role in helping solve community problems. Types of youth councils include:

Tribal Youth Councils
Alaska Native Village Youth Councils
Urban Youth Councils
High School Indian Clubs
College or University Native American Associations
A Church-sponsored Youth Group
An Independent Youth Group

Keep in mind that youth councils are just as diverse as Native America itself. Each youth council maintains its own identity and is built upon the needs and values of that particular community.

By being involved with a youth council, young Native Americans can use their combined talents and energy to address major concerns facing them today. Youth design and promote their own programs to fit their needs.

Young people who are involved with youth councils learn to accept responsibility. They grow through achievement and in the knowledge that they are making a real contribution to their community and to Native America.

What does a Youth Council do?

Each youth council determines its activities based on its own needs. Needs can be identified through discussions with members, interviews, surveys, and other types of research. Once needs are determined, youth councils develop their own action plan to implement their activities.

As affiliates of the UNITY Network, youth councils are expected to conduct activities in community service, cultural heritage, environment, and healthy lifestyles.

For example, UNITY Network affiliated youth councils have:

volunteered to help the elderly or handicapped
presented workshops on leadership, peer pressure and school participation
established a college scholarship
sponsored youth camps and conferences
started own business
sponsored food and clothing drives
conducted bone marrow tissue typing drive
sponsored health forums and health career day
raised money for an infant heart transplant
purchased Christmas toys for less fortunate children
sponsored trash clean up days
participated in beading and craft classes
sponsored alcohol and drug free dances or skate-a-thons
raised money for a recreation center
participated in a governor’s page program

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