Shown (left-right) are Eason Esquivel, Hope Long, Nola Pina, Ayden Evans, Jacob Long, Evie Cotterman, and Jackson Warshaw. (Photos courtesy of Sky Sampson/CYC)
Shown (left-right) at a dinner during the Conference are Jackson Warshaw, Jacob Long, Nola Pina, Evie Cotterman, Hope Long, Ayden Evans, and Eason Esquivel.
Recently, the Cherokee Youth Council represented the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians at the UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) Conference in Oklahoma City, Okla. Seven teens and two adults traveled to Oklahoma to learn and educate other tribes about the EBCI community. Over 2,000 youth were in attendance at the conference.
“The conference educates young people ages 14-25 about Indian country issues and solutions across the world and it is always an honor to attend and represent our tribal community in a positive manner,” said Sky Sampson, Cherokee Youth Council manager. “Our Youth Council members work very hard to prepare for this trip and educational opportunity. They complete numerous community service hours, plan and implement a presentation and performance, and this year they came together and created their very own moccasins to wear during the performance.”
The teens gain their spot to have this experience and then are nominated by the entire Youth Council each year.
“We are so proud of each of them and how they have represented our tribe and community,” said Sampson. “Thank you to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation and each of our teen parents and families for your continued support in making these experiences possible for our young leaders.”
– Cherokee Youth Council
