The United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY) remains in planning mode to hold the National UNITY Conference July 3-7 in Washington, D.C. In a letter April 6, Mary Kim Titla, UNITY executive director, explained that the organization’s top priority is the health and safety of attendees. Titla said options are being considered to move forward with an in-person conference, but there’s also a possibility of moving it to a later date.

“As we continue to monitor daily updates and news regarding COVID-19, our goal is to have final decisions and direction confirmed by the first full week of May. This includes a possible postponement of the conference to August 2020,” Titla said. 

Annually, the conference is well attended by Seminole youth. Last year’s conference was held in Orlando and featured several Seminole culture-related aspects, including booths, demonstrations and speakers. 

Registration for the 2020 conference is open, with a cancellation policy in place through June 30. The organization said if anyone wants to cancel his or her conference registration and request a refund, a $25 per person processing fee for each registrant will apply to cover associated costs as outlined and agreed upon during the registration process.

Another option is for people to apply their 2020 registration fees (full amount) to the 2021 UNITY Midyear Conference or the 2021 National UNITY Conference. Additional information regarding this option will be available May 13.

UNITY’s mission, as posted on its website, “is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth, and to help build a strong, unified, and self-reliant Native America through greater youth involvement.”

For more information go to unityinc.org.