Past institute attendees agree: NICWA’s training institutes are cost-effective professional development opportunities that help you remain current in your knowledge of the ever-changing field of child welfare. Join us for our upcoming training institutes. These interactive and energetic courses are taught by dynamic trainers who are experts in the field of Indian child welfare. 

Attendees will receive CEUs with a certificate upon completion. We are currently hosting both in-person trainings in various locations across Indian Country and virtual trainings on Zoom. The instructor will implement instructional design created specifically for effective adult learning. Participants will experience large and small group learning, participate in facilitated discussion groups, and work through case-based exercises. This approach is made possible virtually by video conferencing which allows breakout groups and live chat sessions. For virtual training you will need a computer, internet access, speakers, and a microphone (or telephone) in order to access the virtual training. 

Trainings are led by professionals with an extensive experience working with tribal communities. Participants will also enjoy the opportunity to network with other attendees from tribal, state, and national agencies located throughout the country. Contact training@nicwa.org for registration information. 

See below for modules offered at this training institute. 

Our most popular training, Positive Indian Parenting (PIP) prepares tribal and non-tribal child welfare personnel to train American Indian and Alaska Native parents using a culturally specific approach. The materials presented during this training draw on the strengths of historic Indian child-rearing practices and blend traditional values with contemporary skills. Storytelling, cradleboards, harmony, lessons of nature, behavior management, and the use of praise are discussed. 

This three-day training provides participants with information about the basic legal requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) and the practice issues involved with ICWA’s implementation. A brief history of U.S. Indian policy as it relates to Indian children and families sets the stage for an examination of the specific provisions of ICWA and practice tips for both tribal and state social workers. Participants will also learn how to successfully integrate other federal and state policies with ICWA—such as the Adoption and Safe Families Act—and support developing tribal and state agreements and other systems changes. This training includes information about the recent Bureau of Indian Affairs ICWA regulations and guidelines. 

Establishing PIP in Your Community (one day) 

This one-day supplement to our most popular training, Positive Indian Parenting (PIP) was developed for tribal and non-tribal child welfare or tribal social services personnel who will lead efforts in establishing PIP in their community and work to support trainers to assist in successful implementation in their community. While our three-day Positive Indian Parenting course will prepare attendees to train the curriculum, this one-day class is perfect for supervisors, administrative teams and logistical supporters of the PIP trainers. Topics covered will include securing funding, organizing a training, supporting trainers and how to approach common issues. 

NICWA April Training Institute 

Each year, NICWA hosts the largest national gathering on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) child advocacy issues. With over 1,600 attendees—and growing every year—this three-day conference has become the premiere national event addressing tribal child welfare and well-being. Keynote speakers range from federal officials at the highest level of government to youth with lived experience in child welfare systems. 

For those who can’t make it, we have a virtual option. All three of our amazing general sessions with over a dozen wonderful speakers will be broadcast virtually. If you can’t make it in person, consider being a virtual attendee. 

NICWA provides meaningful programming to conference attendees, creating a space where participants can learn about the latest developments and best practices from experts in the field and from one another. Participants represent a cross-section of fields and interests including child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice service providers; legal professionals; students; advocates for children; and tribal, state, and federal leaders.

NICWA 42nd Annual Protecting our Children Conference 

Cross-cultural Skills in Indian Child Welfare 

Working effectively with Native youth and families in American Indian/Alaska Native child welfare requires knowledge and information on the diverse cultural nuances and history of tribal communities. Each tribe is diverse in nature, but there are common parallels shared among tribal cultures. Utilizing NICWA’s Relational Worldview Model as a framework, this training will provide guidance on how to build crosscultural skills and implement culturally responsive services to connect with tribal communities you serve. 

This two-day training covers judicial processes for the recognition and certification of customary law regarding the adoption of children. It sets out a culturally-based framework for conducting formal adoptions without the termination of parental rights. The Tribal Customary Adoption training is based on tribal customs and values that can be used by tribes to accomplish culturally-appropriate permanency for children in tribal child welfare programs. 

NICWA February Training Institute 

Join the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in Las Vegas, Nevada, for its 81st Annual Convention & Marketplace! From October 27 to November, 2024, we'll be at the iconic 

, celebrating more than eight decades of defending tribal sovereignty and advancing the rights of Tribal Nations.

With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, this convention is an essential moment for Indian Country to unite, amplify voices, and shape a powerful collective future. Tribal leaders, NCAI members, Native youth, and allies from across Indian Country will gather to tackle critical issues, strategize for the future, and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships.

Additionally, attendees and the general public will be able to browse the NCAI Marketplace, which features a variety of booths ranging from Native artists to federal job recruiters and much more. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the ongoing mission of NCAI.

81st Annual Convention & Marketplace

Trainings are led by professionals with an extensive experience working with tribal communities. Participants will also enjoy the opportunity to network with other attendees from tribal, state, and national agencies located throughout the country. Contact training@nicwa.org for registration information. See below for modules offered at this training institute. 

Our most popular training, Positive Indian Parenting (PIP) prepares tribal and non-tribal child welfare personnel to train American Indian and Alaska Native parents using a culturally specific approach. The materials presented during this training draw on the strengths of historic Indian child-rearing practices and blend traditional values with contemporary skills. Storytelling, cradleboards, harmony, lessons of nature, behavior management, and the use of praise are discussed.

NICWA October Training Institute-Online 

The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. Its membership includes 209 federally recognized tribes, 185 village corporations, 10 regional corporations, and 12 regional nonprofit and tribal consortiums that contract and compact to run federal and state programs. AFN is governed by a 38-member board, which is elected by its membership at the annual convention held each October. Alaska Native people began as members of full sovereign nations and continue to enjoy a unique political relationship with the federal government. We will survive and prosper as distinct ethnic and cultural groups and will participate fully as members of the overall society. AFN’s mission is to enhance and promote the cultural, economic, and political voice of the entire Alaska Native community. 

2024 Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention 

NIEA is committed to ensuring that educators, advocates, and students are able to access the resources needed to help improve the quality of Native education.

Whether it’s providing networking and learning opportunities at our annual Convention and Trade Show, gathering information from members during our state-wide training events, or providing advocacy support at our annual Head to the Hill Day, NIEA continuously works to improve access to information and resources.

NIEA 55th Annual Convention and Trade Show

This National Conference hosts the largest college and career fair in Indian Country with many companies also hosting hiring events by conducting onsite interviews. The Annual AISES National Conference is a unique, three-day event focusing on educational, professional, and workforce development for Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers. Attendees include Indigenous high school and college students, educators, and professionals, including representatives from Tribal Nations, Tribal enterprises, and Indigenous-owned businesses. The conference also includes the LARGEST college and career fair in the U.S. for Indigenous students and professionals! Exhibitors at the College and Career fair represent a diverse range of corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, Tribes, and Indigenous-owned businesses. 

2024 AISES National Conference

Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians Winter Conference

In 1953 farsighted tribal leaders in the Northwest formed the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and  dedicated it to tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Today, ATNI is a nonprofit organization  representing 57 Northwest tribal governments from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, southeast Alaska,  Northern California, and Western Montana. ATNI is an organization whose foundation is composed of the people it is meant to serve.”

Foundations of Tribal Child Welfare Casework 

This training is geared toward tribal/first nations child welfare workers who want to gain insight and increase their skills on the basics of tribal child welfare. The training is geared toward front line workers and newer supervisors in carrying out the day-to-day duties of tribal child welfare. Topics covered include, engaging and assessing families using the relational world view model, best practices for court preparation including writing reports and providing testimony, children and family engagement, utilizing supervision for success in serving families and basic case management unique to tribal workers.

NICWA September Training Institute-Online 

The NAFOA Conference gathers semiannually in the Spring for our Annual Conference and the Fall for the Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference to discuss the current trends in tribal economic development and share resources with tribal financial professionals.

NAFOA Fall Finance and Tribal Economies Conference

Created in 1982 as the Native American Finance Officers Association, NAFOA is committed to supporting tribal economies through sound economic and fiscal policy, innovative learning opportunities, convening thought leadership, and developing resources for tribes that strengthen governance and exercise sovereignty. For more info: Check out our Web Site or e-mail us at Info@nafoa.org.

Past institute attendees agree: NICWA’s training institutes are cost-effective professional development opportunities that help you remain current in your knowledge of the ever-changing field of child welfare. Join us for our upcoming training institutes. These interactive and energetic courses are taught by dynamic trainers who are experts in the field of Indian child welfare. Attendees will receive CEUs with a certificate upon completion. We are currently hosting both in-person trainings in various locations across Indian Country and virtual trainings on Zoom. The instructor will implement instructional design created specifically for effective adult learning. Participants will experience large and small group learning, participate in facilitated discussion groups, and work through case-based exercises. This approach is made possible virtually by video conferencing which allows breakout groups and live chat sessions. For virtual training you will need a computer, internet access, speakers, and a microphone (or telephone) in order to access the virtual training. Trainings are led by professionals with an extensive experience working with tribal communities. Participants will also enjoy the opportunity to network with other attendees from tribal, state, and national agencies located throughout the country. Contact training@nicwa.org for registration information. See below for modules offered at this training institute. 

This multi-day training provides an overview of working with substance-abusing families from both direct service and systems collaboration points of view. Parental substance use disorders are a factor in many child welfare cases. The trainer will discuss how to deal with this issue and how systems collaboration can make successful outcomes possible. A collaborative model that engages child welfare, the courts, and behavioral health providers will be discussed. Participants will learn five essential roles for working with substance-abusing families and how their work can be accomplished through partnering on the parent’s recovery. Cross-cultural skills in Indian Child Welfare Working effectively with Native youth and families in American Indian/Alaska Native child welfare requires knowledge and information on the diverse cultural nuances and history of tribal communities. Each tribe is diverse in nature, but there are common parallels shared among tribal cultures. Utilizing NICWA’s Relational Worldview Model as a framework, this training will provide guidance on how to build cross-cultural skills and implement culturally responsive services to connect with tribal communities you serve.

NICWA September Training Institute 

The Indian Gaming Association's Mid-Year Conference & Expo is the meeting place for leaders in the tribal gaming community. The intimate event offers the perfect combination of learning, networking and sharing ideas on today's hottest topics in gaming.

The Indian Gaming Association's Mid-Year Conference & Expo will return this September 16 - 18, 2024 to Tulalip Resort Casino, which is owned and operated by the Tulalip Tribes in Tulalip, Washington.

Indian Gaming Association Mid Year Conference 

Since 1976, the World Wilderness Congress has helped nature defenders from around the world gather to develop new strategies and actions for our wild Earth.

Beginning in South Africa as a partnership between famed South African game ranger, Ian Player, and his Zulu mentor, Magqubu Ntombela (you can read more about their friendship 

), the Congress was convened to bring together wilderness advocates from around the world to address the root cause of the environmental crisis: a broken relationship with nature.

We invite you to join WILD12, the next gathering of the World Wilderness Congress to be a part of a historic moment when wilderness is reinterpreted through the lens of traditional cultures, rooting Indigenous principles and lifeways at the center of the movement to keep Earth wild. 

12th World Wilderness Congress WILD12 

Event Name: Tribal Enrollment and Enhanced Tribal Card Program 

Location: Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona

Description: This three-day conference will entail new conversations of interest in Indian Country with a focus in the roles of Enrollment Departments.

This three-day conference will entail new conversations of interest in Indian Country with a focus in the roles of Enrollment Departments.

Tribal Enrollment and Enhanced Tribal Card Program

Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations Conference

AIHEC provides leadership and influences public policy on American Indian higher education issues through advocacy, research, and program initiatives; promotes and strengthens Indigenous languages, cultures, communities, and tribal nations; and through its unique position, serves member institutions and emerging tribal colleges and universities. AIHEC works closely with tribal councils, local, regional, and national tribal education organizations to develop curriculum that meets the needs of our tribal government and leadership.

American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) Annual Conference

Workforce Matters is excited to announce our newest resource: 

Supporting Native Workforce Development: A Guide for Funders

Please join us for a discussion with Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities Advisory Committee members and funders that will highlight ideas and resources from the guide. Learn how funders can establish and grow impactful philanthropic partnerships with Native Nations and communities and support policies that expand and strengthen Native-led workforce approaches and providers.

Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities (WGNNC) 

is an emerging funder collaborative focused on supporting workforce development in Native Nations and communities.

 are welcome to attend this free event, but you must register in advance to participate. Approved registrants will receive a Zoom link for this event via email.

Webinar: Supporting Native Workforce Development – A Guide for Funders

Unity’s Mission is to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, & social development of American Indian & Alaska Native youth and to help build a strong, unified, & self-reliant Native America though greater youth involvement.

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