BIOGRAPHY OF:
Dan Terrio
National Co-President
United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc (UNITY)
2004-2005
Dan Terrio is a 20 year-old resident of Shawano, Wisconsin and a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians. Dan was born on July 15,1984 in Shawano, Wisconsin to a German mother and a Native American father. For the first four years of his life, Dan grew up in an all-Caucasian neighborhood, completely unknown to his native heritage. At the age of five, Dan and his family moved to the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation. It was at this point in his life that Dan learned that he was a Native American and began the long road to learning about a whole new part of his life; his native culture. But, with the move onto the reservation came the struggle of acceptance from his peers who lived on the reservation their entire life. Dan, who is considered a "fair skinned" Native American, was considered too “white” for the Native Americans and too “Indian” for the Caucasians. Dan's battle for acceptance would plague him for most of his life.
Still struggling for acceptance at the age of 12, Dan befriended several new individuals that would lead him down the dark road of peer pressure and addiction. At this age, Dan was pressured to have his first drink of alcohol; a moment in his life that he regrets very much. That first drink of alcohol led to his first hit of marijuana, which eventually led to Dan's experimentation with various types of drugs.
Dan led this destructive cycle for almost a year, until his parents stepped in. Following the completion of his seventh grade year, Dan was picked up from school and told to pack his things. Dan did not know where he was going nor did he know what he was doing. Dan's parents admitted him into a three-month rehabilitation program for his addiction to Drugs and Alcohol. To this day, Dan's family does not speak of his time spent in rehab. Dan spent his 13th birthday with youth, just like him, with mild drug addictions. Following the completion of the program in August of 1997, Dan was out for a mere two weeks before he began his destructive cycle once again. Dan did not know that within a month of being released from rehab that he would get a second chance to improve his life.
On September 12,1997, Dan, his mother and his brother were seriously injured when the van they were in was struck by a train. Dan sustained serious injuries to his head, right arm, right knee and heart. Due to the blow to Dan's heart, doctors predicted that Dan would not make it through the night. While lying in the hospital room, Dan prayed for a second chance to change his life. This was the first time in years that Dan asked for the Creator's help in saving his life. His prayer was answered. After a month and a half of physical rehabilitation, Dan was released from the hospital, which he describes as a “rebirth”. Dan's life was forever changed and soon found what he believes his calling was...to lead.
Dan returned to Bowler High School with new spirits and a newfound drive to succeed. He got involved in school activities and assumed leadership positions in various High School clubs. During his freshman year of high school, Dan got involved with the local UNITY network chapter, the Bowler High School Native American Club. With his participation in the Native American Club, Dan had the chance to travel to the 1999 National UNITY Conference in Denver, Colorado. There, he became immediately amazed at the positive atmosphere and most of all, he became in awe at the thought that all these Native Americans are wanting to make a difference in the world like him. During a workshop on goal setting with current UNITY Co-President Manne Lasiloo from Arizona, Dan set two goals that he hoped to accomplish within the coming years: To graduate from High School and to become the UNITY Co-President.
After serving two years on the National UNITY Council (the voting body of the organization), Dan was nominated for a seat on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee as a member-at-large, and was elected to this seat at the 2000 National UNITY Conference in Seattle, Washington. He was one step closer to achieving a dream of becoming the UNITY co-president. Dan ran for the position at the 2001 National UNITY Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was defeated. The defeat did not put down Dan's spirit or his drive.
Within the year off of the UNITY Executive Committee, Dan prepared himself spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially to accept the duties of the office. By the time the 2002 National UNITY Conference in Palm Springs, California rolled around, Dan achieved one of his goals to graduate from High School, and he knew he was bound and determined to fulfill his last goal. Dan was overwhelmingly elected to the position of Co-President of the National UNITY Council. With his election, Dan broke two UNITY records. Dan is the youngest Co-President in UNITY history (Elected at the age of 17) and he is the first Co-president from the state of Wisconsin.
Following the completion of his term in June of 2003, Dan was asked to fill the position of Vice-President of the National UNITY Council. With this position, Dan served as a lobbyist and spokesperson for the organization; representing the youth of UNITY at various governmental functions and worked with governmental officials at a National level on youth concerns. At the age of 19, Dan was the youngest lobbyist based in Washington D.C. While serving in these offices, Dan began a successful keynote speaking tour; speaking on his life experiences and on an overall theme of setting dreams and goals. The tour proved to be an overwhelming success.
At the 2004 National UNITY Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, his peers selected Dan as the 2004-2005 National UNITY Co-President.
Besides working for the UNITY organization, Dan works as a Youth Prevention coordinator for the Stockbridge-Munsee Family Services department. Dan is also pursuing his bachelor’s degree in English Education and Motivational Speaking at the University of Wisconsin: Green Bay.
For Dan's work with youth, Dan was also featured as one of Teen People Magazine's 20 teens that will change the world in 2002. Dan was also given several awards for his work with youth by several organizations, which include: National Indian Gaming Association, National Congress of American Indians Ernie J. Stevens Leadership award, and the National Indian Education Association. Dan is active member in the Shawano County Youth Leadership Conference Planning committee, Shawano Optimist Club, Box In the Wood Theater Guild, Leadership Shawano County, Wisconsin High School Forensics Association judge and the Shawano County Youth Partnership.
Dan is an accomplished Motivational speaker and keynote addressee. Dan also is a frequent leadership trainer and a presenter on Parliamentary Procedure.
