Two GRIC Members named UNITY’s 25 Under 25

Emma Hughes

Gila River Indian News

The United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) recently announced its latest cohort of 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders on April 30.

Launched in 2014, the UNITY 25 under 25 is a national youth leadership recognition program and is designed to celebrate the achievements of young Native American and Alaskan Native leaders who embody UNITY’s core values and pursue holistic well-being in their lives.

“Our Native youth are passionate about enhancing their communities. The 25 Under 25 program by UNITY acknowledges their accomplishments and inspires them to continue their engagement while nurturing their leadership abilities,” said Mary Kim Titla, executive director of UNITY, in a press release.

Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) members Evelyn Enos, District 4, and Precious Vicente, District 1, were selected for this year’s cohort.

Enos, an Akimel O’otham/Pee Posh Youth Council member and 2023 Earth Ambassador for UNITY, has been actively involved with the Community and representing GRIC and Native youth nationally.

Vicente, a former member of AOPPYC, also served as vice president and president during her term. In 2023, she was named Corps Member of the Year with the Corps Protection Network, which was highlighted as part of her nomination.

Vicente expressed her excitement about being selected and said she was nominated by Bianca Wahkinney, who was her program coordinator during her internship with the National Park Service (NPS)—Casa Grande Ruins. “She’s been like my mentor,” said Vicente. She has a lot of experience, and it’s helped me a lot.” Vicente is now a Tribal Liaison with the National Park Service.

“I like to help do demonstrations and talks and stuff like that throughout the community, especially when it comes to my work or if it’s anything traditional when it comes to singing, playing traditional games, anything like that,” Vicente said.

She added, “I think if I hadn’t joined the youth council, I wouldn’t be as active in the Community as I am now, especially with the park service and what I do.”

Enos, who attends Arizona State University (ASU), said, “I am honored and so grateful to my nominator, Victoria Quintero, one of our Youth Council advisors. With her help, I am so grateful to accept this award in June at the National UNITY conference.”

Through her work with AOPPYC, Enos loves being able to give back to the Community and supporting the youth by providing them outlets to express themselves. For her final project as earth ambassador, Enos hosted a webinar with youth on climate, discussing the current issues with environmental policies and the impact of climate change on Indigenous communities, something she’s been passionate about.

Under this new accolade, she plans to host workshops in writing and crafting to support local youth and assist them in learning their language and cultural skills.

Honorees will be recognized during the national UNITY conference that will be held from June 29 - July 3, in Portland, Oreg. Each 25 Under 25 recipient will receive a distinctive handmade beaded medallion and experience specialized training over the next eight months to foster their personal growth.

“I think the organization is great, especially for younger people to get involved and to network with other people, especially if you’re located in other parts of the world,” said Vicente. “For myself, UNITY was really a good chance to network with people and find out what their organizations are doing.”

The 2024 Class of 25 Under 25 National Native Youth Leaders are:

Alyssa Mosley, 23 Nanticoke Lenni Lenape, New Jersey

Anagali Duncan, 21 Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma

Carmella Bear, 17 Penobscot Nation, Maine

Dasia Peters, 22 Mashpee Wampanoag, Massachusetts

Derek Capitan, 24 Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico

Elise Lamas, 19 Tohono O’odham, Arizona

Evelyn Enos, 19 Akimel O’odham/Tohono O’odham, Arizona

Faith Iukes, 14 Tulalip Tribes, Washington

Gabriel Jurado, 19 Confederated Tribes of Siletz, Oregon

Gabriella Nakai, 17 Choctaw Nation, Arizona

Georgia Harjo, 17 Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma

Ian Teller, 23 Navajo Nation, Arizona

Jenna Makes Good, 22 Spirit Lake Nation, Kansas

Jori Cowley, 23 Cherokee Nation/Shawnee, Oklahoma

Kiara Tanta-Quidgeon, 23 Mohegan Tribe, Connecticut

Laney Marie Lupe, 23 White Mountain Apache, Arizona

Mariah Hernandez-Fitch, 23 United Houma Nation, Louisiana

Natallie Battiest, 21 Choctaw Nation, California

Nizhoni Deschene, 16 Navajo Nation, Maryland

Precious Vicente, 24 Akimel O’odham/Hopi, Arizona

Racquel Jean Oliver-Britton, 22 Round Valley Indian Tribes, California

Samantha Eddy, 22 Navajo Nation, Arizona

Sophia Turning Robe, 21 Spokane/Siksika, Washington

Steve Harvey, 22 San Carlos Apache Tribe, Arizona

Talon Watchman, 17 Navajo Nation, Arizona