The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member and Saguaro High School student was recently selected to join the prestigious youth leadership program.

3 Takeaways:

• UNITY is a national network which helps promote the spiritual, mental, physical and social development of Indigenous youth through programs, conferences, workshops and more. 
• Myson Galindo was named to UNITY’s 25 Under 25, a youth leadership program for Native youth under the age of 25.
• He is the third SRPMIC member to be named to the leadership program, after Class of 2020 honorees Kennise McGertt and Caleb Dash. 

Superstar Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member and Young River People’s Council correspondent secretary Myson Galindo has etched his name into the record books once again. 

Galindo was recently selected to UNITY’s 25 Under 25 leadership program in the class of 2026-27. 

To make matters extra special for the Community, UNITY 25 Under 25 Class of 2020 member Kennise McGertt announced the names for the new class live from the Talking Stick Golf Course on April 30. 

Galindo now joins McGertt and Caleb Dash as the only SRPMIC individuals to be selected for UNITY’s 25 under 25 youth leadership program, which started in 2014. The award is announced every other year. 

This year’s class will be celebrated during the national UNITY conference in Oklahoma City from July 10 to 14. 

Additionally, each honoree will create a seven-month leadership program while continuing to make a positive impact in their communities back home. 

Here’s our conversation with Myson Galindo.

O’odham Action News: What was the first thing that came to mind when Kennise McGertt announced your name as being one of the 25 Under 25 awardees?

Myson Galindo: I was honestly shocked. I was watching the announcement during my lunch break at school, and I really did not think I was going to win. I felt like my chances were low, so hearing my name called was a huge surprise. The first person I thought about was my advisor, Janyse Salinas, because she has played a major role in helping me become the leader I am today and has taught me so much about my culture and Community. I also thought about my friends who had applied and wanted to talk with them. It was exciting news, and I was grateful to be surrounded by friends who immediately congratulated me and shared in that moment with me.

OAN: Did you and your family and friends celebrate the announcement? Did y’all go out to dinner?

Galindo: Yes. Right after the announcement, I celebrated with my friends during lunch. The next day, we went out to eat, spent time together, and I was able to share more about what UNITY’s 25 Under 25 program is all about. I also celebrated with my family. My dad and I went to Zipps, one of my favorite places because I love their wings. We had a great time talking about the opportunity and what it means moving forward.

OAN: What inspired you to run for UNITY’s 25 Under 25 program?

Galindo: My inspiration came from attending my first national UNITY conference in Portland. While I was there, I saw people I knew become members of UNITY’s 25 Under 25. Seeing them receive that recognition inspired me. At the time, it felt like a big dream, because I was much shyer and wasn’t putting myself out there the way I do now. Since then, the idea has always stayed in the back of my mind. As I became more involved in leadership and advocacy, I realized how important it is to uplift youth voices, and that motivated me to apply.

OAN: Will you be attending the 50th annual conference in July?

Galindo: Yes, I will be attending the 50th Annual UNITY Conference. I am excited to represent the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, attend alongside my Youth Council, and participate as a member of the 2026 UNITY 25 Under 25 cohort. I am looking forward to connecting with Indigenous youth from across the country and continuing to grow as a leader.

OAN: As a member of the UNITY 25 Under 25 collective for 2026, what is your official platform?

Galindo: My platform focuses on supporting and uplifting our elders. Elders are the keepers of our knowledge, history, language and traditions, and it is important that we continue creating opportunities for that knowledge to be passed on to future generations. I want to advocate for stronger elder services and increased support within tribal communities. Whether that means expanding resources, creating more spaces for elders to connect or encouraging intergenerational programs, I believe investing in our elders is investing in the future of our people. I also want to help create opportunities for elders to share their stories and experiences so that younger generations can learn from them and continue carrying our cultures forward.

OAN: How will you execute your vision?

Galindo: I plan to use the platform and opportunities provided through UNITY 25 Under 25 to raise awareness about the importance of supporting our elders and preserving their knowledge. I believe change starts at the community level, so I want to begin by creating more opportunities for youth and elders to connect. Through my youth council and community involvement, I hope to organize talking circles, cultural discussions and intergenerational activities where elders can share their stories and experiences with youth. One example is the Salt River Story Project, where youth interview elders and learn about their history, experiences and knowledge. Programs like this help strengthen relationships between generations while ensuring that important stories and teachings are preserved. My goal is to continue supporting efforts like these and encourage more youth to learn directly from the elders in their communities.

OAN: What does it mean to you to represent the SRPMIC on the national level?

Galindo: Representing the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on a national level is both an honor and a responsibility. I am proud to represent my Community, our culture and our people wherever I go. I recognize that I am not only representing myself, but also the generations who came before me and helped shape who I am today. Being able to share our Community’s stories, values and strengths with other Indigenous youth across the country is something I take great pride in. I hope to represent SRPMIC in a way that makes my Community proud and encourages other Native youth to pursue leadership opportunities.

OAN: How do you manage school, life and now being a UNITY 25 Under 25 recipient?

Galindo: Time management and prioritization have helped me balance my responsibilities. I am currently on track to graduate from Saguaro High School a semester early in December while also completing the Construction Management program at EVIT, which will continue through May. Education has always been a priority for me, and I work hard to stay organized so I can meet my commitments.

I have also been involved with youth council for several years, and that experience has taught me how to balance leadership responsibilities with school and personal life. While becoming a UNITY 25 Under 25 recipient is a significant commitment, it is one that I am excited to take on. I am prepared to dedicate the time and effort needed to make the most of this opportunity while continuing to stay focused on my educational and personal goals.

OAN: Who in the Community has helped you accomplish your goals thus far?

Galindo: There have been many people who have helped me along the way. My youth council advisors, Janyse Salinas and Sommer Lopez, have had a tremendous impact on my growth as a leader. They helped me develop confidence in public speaking, strengthen my leadership skills and become a stronger advocate for my culture and Community.

My dad has also been one of my biggest supporters. He was the person who first encouraged me to get involved with youth council, and that decision opened the door to many of the opportunities I have today. Through youth council, I was able to attend UNITY, build relationships with leaders from other communities and become more involved in programs that have shaped my future.

I am also grateful for my friends, especially those involved in youth council and other leadership programs. Through these experiences, I have met some of my closest friends, including Jizelle Juan and Cruz Lasiloo. Before getting involved, I never expected to build friendships that would have such a positive impact on my life. We share many of the same interests, goals and values, and they have been a constant source of encouragement and support. Having friends who motivate me to keep pursuing opportunities and growing as a leader has made a meaningful difference in my journey.

OAN: What advice would you give to those who are beginning to figure out what they want to do?

Galindo: My advice would be to never be afraid to take a chance on yourself. Apply for opportunities even if you think you might not get them. When I applied for UNITY 25 Under 25, I honestly did not think I would be selected, but I decided to take the chance anyway.

Even if things do not work out the way you hoped, there is still value in trying. Every application, experience and opportunity teaches you something. You never know where one opportunity might lead, so do not let fear stop you from putting yourself out there. Take every chance you can, because you may surprise yourself with what you can achieve.

OAN: After the summer is over, what school will you be attending this coming school year?

Galindo: After graduating, I plan to begin taking college courses at Scottsdale Community College while I complete my Construction Management program at EVIT through May.

After completing EVIT, I hope to pursue higher education in business, real estate and construction management. My dream school is New York University, which has been a goal of mine for several years. At the same time, Arizona State University is also a strong option because it would allow me to remain close to my Community while continuing my education. No matter where I attend, my goal is to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to bring those skills back to my Community and contribute to its future growth and development.

Stay tuned for an upcoming OAN Podcast episode with Myson!