Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

UNITY prepares for record crowd in San Diego

Planning for the 2018 National UNITY Conference underway

April 9, 2018 – Mesa, Arizona – Preparation for the summer's largest Native youth leadership gathering is in full swing. United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc.'s (UNITY) annual national conference is slated to be one of the most attended conferences since its inception more than 42 years ago. The annual conference will take place July 5-9, 2018 at the renovated Town & Country Resort and Conference Center in San Diego, California.

"We're ecstatic about the response and interest in UNITY's 2018 national conference," said UNITY's executive director, Mary Kim Titla. "Being three months out from our largest gathering of the year, our host hotel is already 86% full and early registration has topped 700 with Native youth attending from throughout the country and Canada, putting us on pace to exceed more than 2,000 attendees and becoming our largest event ever," she added.

The one-of-a-kind five-day conference will feature and engage Native youth in purposeful training and activities designed to promote youth-led advocacy efforts by using methods that produce results respectful of tribal cultures. Attendees will have the opportunity for personal growth through motivational keynote speakers, a selection of more than 25 workshops, participation in peer-led fitness activities, and with access to more than 50 exhibitors and vendors. Participants will also experience the uniqueness of the National UNITY Conference through UNITY Wellness Warrior activities, UNITY Fire, UNITY Drum, UNITY Education and Career Expo, a cultural exchange night, talent night, and the annual UNITY Banquet & Awards Celebration and Dance.

Conference highlights will also include the induction of UNITY's 2018 "25 Under 25 in Indian Country" national award recognition, as well as the honoring of the annual Golda Cook Scholarship recipients, J.R. Cook Advisor of the Year, Youth Council of the Year, and Eddie Wadda Alumni of the Year.

Early registration discounts are available through April 30. UNITY is also now accepting registration for 4-day exhibitors and 1-day UNITY Career and Education Expo exhibitors. UNITY's host hotel will continue to accept registrations through June 11, 2018, or until capacity is fulfilled. Early registration for conference and hotel reservations is highly encouraged.

For more information about the 2018 National UNITY Conference, and to register, visit http://www.unityinc.org.

The 2018 National UNITY Conference sponsors include San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Chicken Rancheria Tribal Council of California, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Table Mountain Rancheria, Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation, Forrest County Potowatami Community. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, contact Mary Kim Titla at mk.titla@unityinc.org for details.

About National UNITY Conference

The National UNITY Conference is the oldest and largest Native youth leadership development conference in the country. Started by UNITY founder, J.R. Cook, the conference continues to engage, encourage, and provide important leadership training to Native American youth, preparing them for on-going leadership roles in their communities, as well as on a national and international forefront.

About UNITY, Inc.

United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) is a national network organization promoting personal development, citizenship, and leadership among Native Youth ages 14-24 years old. UNITY's mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native Youth and to help build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement. UNITY's network currently includes more than 200 affiliated youth councils in 36 states. Youth Councils are sponsored by Tribes, Alaska Native villages, high schools, colleges, urban centers, and others.

 

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