Tribal youth conference brings American Indian students to OKC
Uniting for the 40th anniversary of the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) conference, American Indian students came from across the country for the five-day event in Oklahoma City.
“This is where UNITY was founded and we wanted to come back on its anniversary to celebrate,” said Mary Kim Titla, executive director for UNITY.
More than 1,600 youth and advisers attended the conference, making it the largest ever, and Titla is hoping to see the program continue to grow.
This year’s conference, which ends Tuesday, was held at the Cox Convention Center and is expected to return in 10 years.
“Many people we see here at this conference will take what they learn and become leaders in their community,” Titla said.
The program is designed to give students the knowledge needed to make changes in their communities in areas where American Indians have suffered, Titla said.
“The vision was to give youth a voice, because their voice matters on all issues of life, since they are a part of life,” Titla said.
Breakout sessions were offered every day to address key areas such as social, spiritual, physical and mental development.
“It feels really good to be here, since the conference originated in Oklahoma,” said Sophie Tiger, 19, Southern Plains executive member. “Nobody would have thought it would have lasted this long; it is really a proud moment.”
Delegates said they were inspired to take what they learned back to their communities.
“I want to make a positive change in native communities,” Tiger said. “We all have a voice and it has to be heard one way or another and if you speak up, then people will follow your voice.”
The Monday morning session began about 8 a.m. to the sound of native drums beating to a flag procession, with a 13-member group playing and singing traditional music.
“It is very traditional and very cultural. We want the youth to know that their traditions and culture are very important,” Titla said.
The peace drum players came from across the country and many had never played together.
The conference is led by a 12-member youth executive committee. The group is chosen during each UNITY conference to go home and look over their districts, listening to possible issues that American Indians are facing.
“We represent the youth and all of the issues that they could have,” said Julian Jaun, 24, a former executive member. “We know that youth are hurting and that they do not have anyone to turn to.”
Each youth-led executive team chooses an area on which to focus an advocacy campaign, deciding this year to look into honoring women.
“We wanted to do something that could really help women out,” said Leticia Gonzales, 19, an executive member.
The campaign to honor women will continue the rest of the year, with members of the conference taking the idea and spirit back to their communities, Tiger said. The campaign lasts until the newly elected committee chooses in the fall its next issue to focus on.