ONAMIA SCHOOL UNITY TRIP
By Sarah Barten and Christina Clitso-Nayquonabe
In a significant step toward fostering leadership, cultural understanding, and community bonding, the Onamia School Indian Education program recently organized an enriching trip for students to participate in the UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) conference, held in Portland, Oregon.
The UNITY conference, known for its mission to empower Native American youth through leadership development, networking, and cultural education, provided a unique platform for Onamia students to immerse themselves in a diverse range of activities and workshops. These sessions were designed to enhance their leadership skills, promote cultural pride, and encourage active community involvement.
Chaperones: Guiding and Inspiring the Youth
Chief Executive Virgil Wind brought the group a wealth of experience and wisdom. His involvement underscored the importance of cultural heritage and leadership in the lives of the young participants.
Charmaine Shivers and Chris Nayquonabe from the Onamia Indian Education Department played pivotal roles in ensuring the educational and cultural objectives of the trip were met. Chris, with her extensive background in educational initia- tives for Native American youth, provided insightful guidance throughout the conference. “I do this because it was done for me — in high school, I was part of UNITY, which allowed me to see what opportunities were available beyond the reservation,” shared Chris. “Witnessing the achievements of other Native youth across the country gave me the confidence to pursue higher education on the east coast, apply for internships in Washington DC, and learn from our Elders.” Chris also shared that she is grateful her students now have the same opportunities. “It brings me joy to see them grow, support their peers in talent shows, share their cultural teachings, and educate themselves on issues affecting Indian Country.”
Representing Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, Joe Nayquonabe brought a unique perspective to the trip. Nayquonabe, as CEO of MLCV, emphasized the importance of great role models through eight interactive sessions throughout the conference. He shared his own journey of leadership, highlighting who his role models were and noting the importance of integrating traditional values into modern business practices.
His session inspired students to think about how they could contribute to their communities while incorporating what makes a good role model. They all presented their findings and competed to win a $500 NTVS gift card. Two youth from the Lower Sioux Community – Brianna and Ella – were the winning duo.
Impact and takeaways
The UNITY trip was a transformative experience for the students. The diverse range of workshops and sessions offered at the conference, coupled with the guidance of experienced chaperones, left a lasting impact on the participants. The students returned with a renewed sense of cultural pride, leadership aspirations, and a deeper understanding of the roles they can play in their communities.
Railei Shaugobay reflected, “I think I really learned how important it is to know your culture and share it, that’s how it will thrive and never be forgotten.” She found the leadership workshop particularly memorable, appreciating the different perspectives on leadership. Railei also valued the networking opportunities, saying, “Most of the workshops I attended had icebreakers that allowed you to interact with everyone else and share your thoughts.”
Phoenix-Rose Nayquonabe shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the joy of learning and making new friends. Attending her dad’s workshop on leadership and creating a board about inspirational people was particularly rewarding. For Phoenix-Rose, the conference was a fun and educational experience.
Keith King highlighted both educational and social aspects. He enjoyed visiting the Nike store and getting a discount on sweaters but also found value in workshops like the one where they identified their leadership styles. “I was an Eagle,” he noted. Keith also found the analogy of personal growth to plant growth in Karen Guise’s workshop from Red Lake impactful.
The trip not only provided immediate educational benefits but also promised long-term advantages. By providing opportunities for young individuals to learn from seasoned leaders and professionals, such initiatives help build a strong foundation for the future of Native American communities.
The Onamia School UNITY trip was more than just a conference visit; it was a journey of self-discovery, cultural im- mersion, and leadership development. The involvement of dedicated chaperones ensured that the students gained invaluable experiences that will shape their futures as leaders and advocates for their communities.
