by Jeannie Stafford, Nevada FWO

On July 14, 2008, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife’s Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office (Service) participated in a national conference designed to promote a “National Initiative to Strengthen Native Families”  sponsored by the National Unity Council, in Reno, Nevada.   We had the opportunity to showcase career opportunities within the Service for more than 150 Native American youth councils from 34 states. 

Jody Brown, Deputy Field Supervisor from the Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, spent the day visiting with Native American youths and discussing career opportunities as they toured multiple exhibits during the event.  The conference organizers developed a unique incentive to encourage the 1,000 participants to have conversations with education and career fair exhibitors.  “I checked off participants score cards after we discussed photos on our display and our many career opportunities,” said Jody Brown.  “Participants with the most check marks were then entered into a drawing for an IPOD.”   

The National Unity (United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc.) Council is a non-profit organization that was incorporated in Oklahoma in 1976.  Its mission 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.  Unity has worked with thousands of American Indian and Alaska Native your for more than 32 years.