Georgia Harjo's 25U25 UNITY Conference Trip

05/23/2024

Estonko, my name is Georgia Adeline “Ushta” Harjo, and I’m a proud citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and also Choctaw, Ceyvha Band Seminole, and Cheyenne.

I’m very excited to share that I will be traveling to Portland, Oregon to attend the National UNITY Conference, set for June 28 - July 3, 2024 where I will join more than 2,000 American Indian and Alaska Native youth from across the country for leadership development training and the opportunity to network and interact directly with Native youth, and mentors.

It is my honor to represent the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and the State of Oklahoma as I make this trip to UNITY. I am deeply humbled to have been nominated and chosen as a member of the 2024 Class of UNITY's 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leadership Award for my continuous work and efforts to uplift Youth across Indian Country. Attending the conference in this position, I will have the opportunity to learn from other leaders, network with other youth, and hone in on many different skills so that I can become a better role model and take action for the next seven generations. I will have the chance to bring back what I learn to our community, and make positive change.

To be able to attend and take hold of this opportunity, my family and I will be holding a fundraiser to help our costs. We're hoping to do it in a good way, likely through an Indian Taco Sale, possibly Bake Sale, and waffle ticket items. I've created this GoFundMe to respectfully share what I'm doing with our people, and put this out there if anyone feels that they would like to support me. Shares are greatly appreciated.

The costs would cover my airfare, lodging, per diem and ground transportation expenses to attend what is considered the “Super Bowl” of Native youth events. As a youth, I'm a student of the Oklahoma City Public School District, and an incoming Senior at Southeast High School. I've been involved with various extracurriculars at my school such as creating and running the Native American Club, Reporter and Tech Crew for the News, a member of the Advanced Company Dance Team, and playing other sports in years prior. I'm involved with our community through giving Dance Performances, Storytelling, Traditional Game Demonstrations, and Cultural Arts Demonstrations to different schools and groups. I also run my own small arts business since 2020, promoting and expressing the importance of Native Arts to all. I've done all of this and more while maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and membership within the Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society, and National Honor Society.

I wish to attend this conference because UNITY gives our youth a chance to learn, and take action to better their communities. I believe the future of our people lies with them, and as a youth myself, it is our responsibility to acknowledge it, claim it, and do it. I wish to share with everyone that no matter what we look like, where we live, or what anyone thinks, we should be proud as Native youth. Help each other, learn from each other, and do great things for each other. We must unite.

Enclosed is my budget to attend the National UNITY Conference. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Mvto,

In Unity,

Georgia Adeline Harjo

Budget

Airfare - (Estimate round trip) $500.00

Ground Transportation (Uber/Lyft to and from hotel) $50.00

Lodging - (Estimate for overflow hotel) $1,150.00

($230 per night x 5/nights)

Per Diem - (GSA Rate: $74.00) $333.00

$55.50 - first & last day of travel x 2 = $111.00

$74.00 x 3/days = $222.00

TOTAL $2,033.00