UNITY Announces Speakers for the Annual Midyear Leadership Conference

Mesa, Az – United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) is proud to announce that America's Got Talent finalist Brooke Simpson (Haliwa-Saponi) will be the in-person keynote speaker and will perform at its annual Midyear Leadership Conference. In addition, Indigenous land protector and IMG model and actress, Quannah ChasingHorse (Han Gwich'in and Sicangu/Ogala Lakota), will join the conference virtually, which will be held February 25-27, 2022, at the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak. Discounted early-bird registration for the conference is available through November 30, 2021.

"We are excited to have these influential young women as speakers at the midyear conference," said Mary Kim Titla, Executive Director of UNITY. "They serve as an inspiration to all of our youth, who are looking forward to connecting in person this year for learning, community, and sharing.

As in the past, the 2022 events will engage Native youth from across the country through workshops, breakout sessions, music, and cultural sharing. Popular UNITY trainers and presenters will return, and attendees will participate in speed workshops, hear from engaging guest speakers, and enjoy time to meet and network with other Native youth from around the country.

UNITY has been fostering the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth, and helping build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement since 1976.

Registration dates and prices for the UNITY Midyear Conference are as follows:

• October 1 through November 30: $250 early bird registration

• December 1 through January 31, 2022: $300 advance registration

• February 1 through onsite registration: $350 full rate

To register, click here.

To submit for a speed workshop presentation, click here.

About the Featured Speakers

Brooke Simpson

From recording her first song at the age of two years old to charting the top 10 in the iTunes and Billboard charts, Brooke Simpson is no stranger to music. She is a powerhouse vocalist who is passionate about music, people, and her culture. Brooke is a full-blooded Native American and is a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe of North Carolina.

Brooke has had the opportunity to work with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Sia, Taboo (of The Black Eyed Peas), Bishop Briggs, Allen Stone, and more. She also was a top 3 finalist on season 13 of NBC's The Voice.

In the midst of touring, writing, and recording upcoming music, Brooke has released multiple singles including Little Bit Crazy, Stick Like Honey, So Tired- a mini EP, You Only Had One Job, and her newest release, Haliwa.

Brooke will be making her Broadway debut in the Diane Paulus revival of the Tony Award-winning musical 1776. Even more recently she became a top 4 finalist for Season 16 of America's Got Talent, where Simon Cowell compared her vocals to legendary singers Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia!

Quannah ChasingHorse

Quannah, age 19, is from the Han Gwich'in from Eagle Village, Alaska, and Sicangu/Oglala Lakota tribes from the Rosebud Reservation, South Dakota but currently lives in Fairbanks, Alaska. She grew up learning her ways of life and values and continues to uphold them as they are sacred and keeps her grounded. She is an Indigenous land protector for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, protecting those sacred lands from oil development and fighting for climate justice. Quannah's deep connection to the lands and her people's way of life guides and informs everything she does and stands for. She is passionate about Indigenous sovereignty/rights, MMIWG and representation. She is an avid snowboarder, guitar and ukulele player, and is apprenticing as a traditional Indigenous tattoo artist. Quannah was honored to make the 2020 list of Teen Vogue's "Top 21 under 21". She is an IMG Fashion Model and Actress.

ABOUT UNITY

Founded in 1976, United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) is a national network organization promoting personal development, citizenship, and leadership among Native Youth. UNITY's mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth ages 14 -24 and help build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement. UNITY's network currently includes 325 affiliated youth councils in 36 states. Youth Councils are sponsored by Tribes, Alaska Native villages, high schools, colleges, urban centers, and others.