07/21/2026
Last week, the OKCYC attended our first ever National UNITY Conference, right here in OKC! This year, UNITY celebrated 50 years by returning to Oklahoma, where it was first founded by Cherokee Citizen, JR Cook.
Members of the youth council were so excited to welcome other youth councils from all over Indian Country, and even all over the world. We were blessed to see our Hawaiian Native, Taiwanese, and Māori relatives in attendance, sharing ways from their respective peoples.
The OKCYC was grateful to participate in some of the pre-conference set up, helping with signage and registration prep! We are grateful to the Local Host Committee and its Co-Chairs, Nancy and Jerilyn, for their work and dedication in helping make this conference happen here in our city.
Our members participated in the pre-conference activities, including the Healing Circle, Powwow, and Stomp Dance. During the conference, we participated in the volleyball tournament, gaming tournament, the Southern Plains Regional Area Caucus, the NUC Business Meeting, various workshops, and more.
We were also honored to be able to dance with the Mvskoke Nation Youth Council during Cultural Night for their Stomp Dance demonstration. Mvto, neyiwa, and yakoke for asking us to join you all!
Meeting fellow Native youth from all over, especially within our region, was eye-opening to the possibilities we can create through this network of young leaders.
Statement from OKCYC’s Co-Presidents, Lakota Longhorn and Korbin Coffelt, on behalf of the council:
“The UNITY Conference changed the way we see leadership and strengthened our passion for serving Native youth. We will see to it that the knowledge and experience we earned from this conference will be used in the best way possible for our communities.”
