UNITY YOUTH LEADERS PREPARE TO GATHER IN WASHINGTON DC

Mesa, AZ-Nearly 200 Native American youth and advisors from across the country, representing tribal communities and youth councils, will gather for a week-long youth leadership conference in Washington DC. The United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY, Inc.) will host its annual midyear conference, with programming focused on youth leadership development, training for youth leader advisors, networking, and cultural exchange.

The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City from February 11 - 15, 2015. Agenda highlights include a visit to Capitol Hill where youth councils will visit with representatives from congress, youth forums and exclusive dialogue with invited guests from the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and youth council presentations and sharing of community service projects.

A special tribal leadership panel, "Why are youth councils important?", will feature invited leaders including Chairman Tobias Vanderhoop (Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)), Joe Frank, Sr. (Seminole Tribe of Florida), Vice President Joe Dukepoo (Round Valley Indian Tribes), Principal Chief Michell Hicks (Eastern Band of Cherokee) and Chairwoman Stephanie Bryan (Poarch Creek Band of Creek indians).

"We are very excited for this year's UNITY Midyear Conference filled with educational and social components that builds leadership, character, and provides our Native youth exclusive dialogue, exchange and experience like none other" said Mary Kim Titla, Executive Director of UNITY, Inc. "I encourage tribal leadership and communities to send their Native youth leader representative(s) to participate and contribute to this wonderful experience" Titla added.

The program also features an announcement regarding UNITY and the White House's Generation Indigenous Initiative, a Native youth initiative focused on removing the barriers that stand between Native youth and their opportunity to succeed. This initiative will take a comprehensive, culturally appropriate approach to help improve the lives and opportunities for Native youth.

On Thursday, February 12, the general public is welcome to attend and participate in the UNITY Cultural Exchange and Hand Drum Contest featuring Southern and Eastern Tribes. The event will begin at 7:00 PM at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Regency Ballroom E&F.

Nationally renowned Native American youth leadership trainers, Jeri Brunoe (Wasco), Chance Rush (Hidatsa/Arapaho) and Marcus Guinn (Osage/Potawatomi), will conduct workshops and trainings throughout the five-day event.

Advanced rate registration is currently $150.00 through February 1, 2015. For more information on the UNITY Midyear Conference and for a copy of the full agenda, visit http://www.unityinc.org or contact the UNITY office at (480) 718-9793.