Stronger Minds, Stronger Communities

July 10, 2026

Miguel Sallard

Gila River Indian News

Gila River Youth Gather for Annual Conference

MESA, Ariz. — The Gila River Indian Community’s 39th Annual Youth Conference was more than a gathering. It served as a reminder that when young people come together with purpose, culture and compassion, a community’s future grows stronger.

President Landon Martinez opened the event with “Skeg tas, hello,” setting a welcoming tone for attendees. His message; be kind, be safe, have fun, carried quiet weight. It was not just a greeting, but a call for youth to support one another at a time when mental health remains a critical concern across Indian Country.

This year’s theme, “Stronger Minds, Stronger Communities,” was selected by Vice President Shayla Davis and At-Large Representative Evan Martinez. The theme reflects a truth familiar to many Native communities: Mental wellness is not an individual pursuit. It is collective. It is cultural. And it is necessary.

The co-chairs spent six months planning a conferencethat embraced difficult conversations. They created space for youth to learn coping skills, explore resources and understand that asking for help is an act of strength, not weakness.

The importance of youth voices in shaping GRIC’s future was underscored by the presence of Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis and Lt. Gov. Regina Antone. Their remarks were not ceremonial; they were affirmations that the Community’s leadership sees, hears and believes in its young people.

Keynote speakers Waylon Pahona Jr. and Jonathan Yellowhair brought honesty, cultural grounding and lived experience to the stage. Their messages reminded youth that healing is not linear and that vulnerability can be a source of strength.

Workshops throughout the conference reflected a deep understanding of what young people need — academically, professionally, emotionally, culturally and socially.

• Emergency Preparedness — Guidance on keeping families and communities safe.

• Student Services — Support with scholarships and college navigation.

• Elev8 Initiative — Pathways to culturally rooted healthcare careers.

• Air and Water Quality — Connecting environmental stewardship to community health.

• Healthy Relationships & Sexual Health — Culturally sensitive, honest guidance.

• Energy, Sleep & Mental Health — Addressing caffeine, screen time and stress.

• Vaping Prevention — A culturally based dialogue on an emerging concern.

• Nutrition & Confidence Bingo — Blending fun, self-esteem and healthy habits.

• Basic Budgeting — Tools for financial independence.

• Shell Necklace Making — A celebration of tradition, creativity and cultural pride.

• Law & Tribal Communities — Showing how legal literacy strengthens tribal sovereignty.

These sessions were not simply informational. They were investments in GRIC’s future leaders.

Yet the conference’s greatest impact was found between presentations — in the shy excitement of youth meeting one another, the proud gaze of elders, the encouragement of facilitators and the quiet hum of community filling the room.

There were laughs in the air during activities, thoughtful silence in the room during keynotes and a shared sense of purpose lingered long after the final session.

In a world that often asks too much of young people, the conference offered something rare: a space where they could learn, connect and simply be themselves.

It was more than a conference. It was a reminder that community is built through kindness, shared learning and the courage to show up for one another.

“Be nice, safe and have fun,” Martinez told attendees — a message that carried through every moment of the event.