The 2026 AFN Annual Convention is scheduled for October 22-24, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska.

The annual convention serves as the principal forum and voice for the Alaska Native community in addressing critical issues of public policy and government. The convention convenes thousands of official delegates and participants from membership organizations across the state.

At the Convention, delegates discuss strategic opportunities and challenges, listen to memorable keynote speeches, hear reports from political leaders and presentations from expert panels, and share stories of resilience, experiences, strengths, knowledge, and hope for the future. The resolutions passed by the voting delegates set the priorities for the year and guide AFN’s efforts. The Convention is the largest representative annual gathering of Native peoples in the United States.

2026 Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention 

This year’s conference theme celebrates a powerful truth: 

Indigenous tourism is a living expression of sovereignty.

 Around the world, Native Nations continue to exercise their inherent right to govern themselves—protecting homelands, nurturing economic opportunity, and safeguarding the well-being of their citizens. These sovereign responsibilities extend naturally into the realm of cultural tourism.

True Indigenous tourism must be Native led.

 It must be guided by our people, supported by our consent, and rooted in our authority to decide which stories are shared—and how they are shared. No longer will our stories be told without us. Through Indigenous tourism, we uphold our cultural identities, define our own narratives, and strengthen our nations for generations to come.

As we gather at this year’s American Indigenous Tourism Conference, we honor the sovereignty of our Native Nations and celebrate the transformative role of tourism in advancing our self-determination. 

Indigenous Tourism is Sovereignty in Action—and together, we are creating a future where our cultures, communities, and stories thrive.

It’s an exciting time for travel and tourism in America’s Indigenous communities. The AITC is the only national conference dedicated to growing tourism in America’s Indigenous communities and the energy is electric as we prepare to celebrate the 28th anniversary. Taking place from October 19-22, 2026, at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip, Washington, this is a must attend event for anyone looking to grow their presence in this vibrant industry.

Join more than 300 attendees for networking opportunities, high-level keynotes, and informative sessions led by top hospitality and tourism experts. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate and elevate Indigenous tourism!

28th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference 

Join the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in Palm Springs, California, for the 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace from October 18–22, 2026.

SAVE THE DATE: NCAI's 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace

SAVE THE DATE: National Indian Education Association 2026 Annual Convention 

NCAI’s sessions will allow you to hear from members of Congress and agency officials regarding their work for Indian Country. Additional details and confirmed times will be updated as they become available.



NCAI Tribal Impact Days: Save the Date

NATHPO Conference demonstrates the importance of fostering meaningful connections among Tribal Nations, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and the diverse sectors and stakeholders that operate in the field of heritage preservation. It highlights the benefits of collaboration grounded in Tribal sovereignty and how that collaboration can lead to achieving shared goals, enhancing mutual understanding, and creating positive impacts for both present and future generations of Tribal citizens and the broader public.

By emphasizing the purpose behind preservation, the conference invites participants to reflect on the values, stories, and identities of Tribal Nations as living, sovereign communities that shape our shared cultural heritage. It also explores how these values can be communicated effectively from a Tribal perspective in service of living cultures, living landscapes, and the continued exercise of inherent Tribal rights. Through thought-provoking presentations, interactive workshops, and site visits, the conference offers a dynamic program designed to inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change centered on Tribal expertise, lived experience, and leadership in cultural heritage stewardship.

26th Annual NATHPO Conference and Sacred Places Summit 

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) National Tribal Health Conference is a week-long event that serves American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes in the space of health — behavioral and public health. The conference will showcase the interconnectedness of policy, advocacy, and Indian health best practices. Programming includes tribal listening and consultation sessions, hands-on training opportunities, plenary sessions, and workshops that cover timely topics such as funding for Indian Health, the business of medicine, health equity, Indigenous determinants of health, Tribal public health, behavioral health, culture, environmental health, and climate change. The conference also includes focus areas on Native youth, Tribal veterans, and elders, a fitness event, exhibit hall and marketplace, culture night, poster sessions, and gala celebration.

NIHB National Tribal Health Conference 

Forensic interviewing is an interviewing process used with children for the purpose of providing evidence to the police, prosecutors, and the court in the investigation and prosecution of suspected abuse. The goal of a forensic interview is to obtain a statement from a child in a developmentally sensitive, unbiased, and truth-seeking manner. This training is specifically designed for investigators, prosecutors, and social workers who have responsibility for conducting forensic interviews of child and adolescent victims and witnesses. Priority will be given to those individuals working cases in Indian Country. The attendee will receive instruction on the latest research-based information on interviewing techniques and will be provided opportunities to develop and refine interviewing skills during child interviewing exercises. CLE will not be provided.

This training is offered by the Department of Justice’s National Indian Country Training Initiative and will be held at the National Advocacy Center (NAC) 

in Columbia, South Carolina, from August 10–13, 2026.

 Travel expenses, including airfare and lodging, for approved attendees, will be covered by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). 

Anyone interested in attending the meeting must register no later than June 10, 2026.

 If multiple representatives from the same Tribe or organization are interested in attending the meeting, please submit a separate registration form for each individual and rank them in order of priority for acceptance. Registration for this event is limited.

Applicants will receive notification of their application status by June 15, 2026.

Please do not book travel and lodging until instructions are provided by DOJ.

The Executive Office for United States Attorneys will provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Requests should be made to Deborah Thomas as early as possible, preferably at least two weeks in advance of the seminar. No nominee will be excluded from a course based on a disability-related accommodations request. This training is authorized under the Government Employees Training Act.

If you have any questions regarding this training, please feel free to contact Lamesha Bowman at 

DOJ National Indian Country Training Initiative Course – Forensic Interviewing Techniques for Child and Adolescent Victims and Witnesses

The nineteenth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) will take place from July 13–17, 2026, in-person only, in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Participants must register by July 3, 2026

, through an accredited NGO via the United Nations Indico platform. Review session information and registration requirements at the registration link above.

EMRIP: Nineteenth Session

The National UNITY Conference is an impactful five-day youth-led annual event held every July in a pre-selected region of the U.S.

UNITY is celebrating 50 years of tradition and Native Youth empowerment. This national conference is a place where Native youth voices are encouraged and valued. We want to commemorate our time through the decades by highlighting some of our organization’s key achievements. Look forward to looking back into UNITY’s immense history along with some familiar faces.

National UNITY Conference — 50th Anniversary

The Office of Management and Budget has proposed significant changes to 2 CFR Part 200, also known as the Uniform Guidance—the federal regulation governing grants, cooperative agreements, pass-through awards, and other forms of federal financial assistance across federal agencies.

If finalized, this proposed rule could have serious impacts for Tribal Nations, Tribal organizations, compacts where applicable, state pass-through awards, and essential Tribal programs.

Federal funding for Tribal programs is not ordinary discretionary assistance. It is directly tied to Tribal sovereignty, ISDEAA, congressional statutes, treaty obligations, and the federal trust responsibility.

Join this webinar for an overview of the proposed rule, what it could mean for Tribes and Tribal organizations, and how you can help build the administrative record and demand consultation.

Overview of OMB Rule Proposing Significant Changes to Financial Assistance

The Sovereignty Symposium in Oklahoma City is an annual event that brings together Tribal leaders, legal experts, and policymakers to discuss critical issues affecting Native American communities. It provides a scholarly and cultural platform to explore tribal sovereignty through legal, artistic, economic, and cultural lenses. While heavily attended by OK-based Tribes, multiple non-OK Tribal leaders and staff also attend.

The Sovereignty Symposium 

2026 Northwest Indian Gaming Conference & Expo

 serves as a unique opportunity for community members to learn about the current state of gaming in Washington and throughout Indian Country.

Attendees get up-to-date information on gaming technology, management solutions, gaming regulations, and the current political issues that affect Tribal gaming operations. 

2026 Northwest Indian Gaming Association Conference and Expo 

June 14–17, 2026 | Renasant Convention Center

NCAI's 2026 Mid Year Convention & Marketplace is currently underway! Join us to work collaboratively with federal partners and Tribal organizations to defend and enhance Tribal sovereignty. 

Tribal leaders, NCAI members, Native youth, and partners from across Indian Country will gather for daily thematic programming featuring plenary panels and breakout sessions highlighting Tribal civic engagement, pertinent legislation and advocacy updates, and Tribal governance best practices.

At the National Congress of American Indian's (NCAI's) 2026 Mid Year Convention & Marketplace, attendees will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with federal partners and tribal organizations to defend and enhance Tribal sovereignty. This in-person convention takes place June 14–17 at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Tribal leaders, NCAI members, Native youth, and partners from across Indian Country will gather to embark upon a new era of Nation-to-Nation engagement, including proactive strategy development, advocacy, and much more. 

2026 Mid Year Convention & Marketplace

The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS), in coordination with Tribal partners, is conducting a webinar series designed to explore existing, new, and emerging technologies that support wildlife research and management in Tribal contexts. This series provides a dedicated space for Tribal fish and wildlife professionals to share knowledge and coordinate priorities that support Tribal sovereignty and the stewardship of natural resources.

The second session, scheduled for June 11, 2026, will focus on Environmental Sensor Data. This session is co-hosted by 

, an online platform that simplifies the processing, organization, storage, and sharing of environmental sensor data. Participants will learn how these tools can enhance data collection and analysis to support robust Tribal fish and wildlife programs.

 Oct 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET and Feb 11, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. ET

NAFWS Webinar Series: Emerging Technologies in Wildlife Management

Kicking off our ORLP webinar series, this first session introduces the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program and TPL's new technical assistance resources for prospective applicants through our partnership with the National Park Service. Participants will hear directly from the National Park Service on program goals, eligibility requirements, and what's new for 2026, including expanded opportunities for tribes and Indigenous communities. A case study presentation on Dream Keepers Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma will offer a real-world look at what a competitive ORLP application looks like. The session will close with an overview of TPL's full ORLP technical assistance program, including one-on-one application support, self-guided resources, and what to expect in the next webinar.

Unlock Federal Funding to Expand Outdoor Recreation Access: A Guide to the ORLP

U.S. Department of Transportation National Small Business Matchmaking Series

Join the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) for the next IGA–NCAI Task Force Meeting on 

Created in response to emerging threats to Tribal sovereignty and Tribal treaty rights, the IGA–NCAI Task Force brings together Tribal leaders, attorneys, lobbyists, and other interested parties to discuss legal, administrative, and legislative challenges impacting Tribal Nations.

This meeting will provide updates on recent threats to sovereignty and treaty rights related to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s allowance of sports contract prediction markets as financial derivatives. IGA and NCAI will also share information on ongoing efforts to protect Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights through agency action, legislation, and litigation.

Register today to join the discussion and stay informed on this critical issue impacting Tribal Nations.

IGA–NCAI Task Force Meeting

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Partnership and Engagement, on behalf of the Department of Justice, is hosting a webinar on the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA) — a truth-in-advertising law that prohibits misrepresentation in the marketing of Indian art and craft products within the United States. The webinar will cover the work of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB) of the U.S. Department of the Interior and will feature a recently prosecuted case from the District of Alaska involving over $1 million in fraudulent artwork falsely marketed as authentic Alaska Native art. This training is free and open to all interested parties.

Protecting Tribal Culture: The Indian Arts and Crafts Act

Join the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) for a special fireside chat featuring Associate Chief Chris French of the United States Forest Service and NCAI leadership for a timely conversation about the reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service and what it means for Indian Country and the government-to-government relationship.

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