GRIC Attends 2024 National UNITY Conference
Emma Hughes
Gila River Indian News
A delegation from the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) attended the annual 2024 National UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) Conference from June 29 to July 3. Several Native American youth council groups from across the country enthusiastically participated, leaving a significant impact through their presence and contributions.
GRIC’s delegation included the Akimel O’odham/Pee Posh Youth Council (AOPPYC), Gila River Royalty, Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, and Lt. Gov. Regina Antone, as well as GRIC youth residing off the reservation.
“We had such a strong showing of our youth council, of our youth from schools off the reservations and on the reservation,” said Gov. Lewis. “We probably had one of the larger, if not the largest, youth delegations there.”
Held in Portland, Oreg., the event brought together thousands of young leaders ages 14-24 from tribes across the country under the theme “Revitalizing Our Roots” to engage in discussions on cultural preservation, leadership development, and community building.
The event also allowed the youth council to network with leaders and mentors from diverse tribal backgrounds. Through interactive sessions and cultural exchanges, they built relationships that will support their ongoing efforts back home.
During the conference, two Community members, Evelyn Enos, District 4, and Precious Vicente, District 1, were recognized as part of UNITY’s annual 25 Under 25 Leadership Award.
“Last year, I represented the GRIC and Native youth as a UNITY Earth Ambassador, and this year, I can once again highlight our community on a national level,” said Enos.
During UNITY’s gala, AOPPYC Advisor Victoria Quintero, District 1, was presented with the J.R. Cook Youth Advisor of the Year Award, named after the late Cook, UNITY’s first Executive Director. The award honors and recognizes the dedication of individuals who provide adult leadership and nurture and support the development of Native youth.
“I didn’t know I won or anything like that,” Quintero said. I just thought this was enough. I said I’ve already won being nominated, and that means enough to me because somebody thought enough to nominate me, and that feels awesome.”
Quintero, a former member, has served on the youth council advisory board since 2019. Her own children are also now members of AOPPYC.
She added, “When I look back on my teachers, it’s like a lot of them aren’t here now because I’m older, and I really wanted to give back, because I felt like that organization just put so much into me, and helped me make me who I was as a person.”
Quintero had the opportunity to join as an advisor in 2003 but only stayed for a few years before moving off the Community and focusing on her family. Her work has always brought her back to the youth, assisting those who had been placed in group homes, “teaching young people how to take care of themselves, how to cook, how to budget, any and everything, basically being a parent for the time being to a kid you don’t know, and it was very rewarding,” she said.
“You don’t do these things for credit, you don’t do these things to get your name out there, you’re doing it because that’s where your heart lies, and my heart lies with these kids and any kid that comes along. I care about all of them; I love them like they’re my nieces and nephews,” said Quintero.
UNITY’s executive director, Mary Kim Titla, praised the council’s contributions, stating, “The theme of our National Conference was ‘Revitalizing Our Roots,’ and I can confidently say that we really hit the mark by energizing and educating the youth attendees about personal development, advocacy, and wellness,” said Titla. “The cultural sharing and connections made at the National Conference are inspiring and instill me with so much hope for the future of our Native communities.”
