In collaboration with Harvard Business School, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) offers the Leading Tribal Nations Program, designed to equip Tribal leaders with the knowledge and skills to advance their strategic governance capacity. During the five-day program, Tribal leaders will engage in collaborative learning and problem-solving through the case-study model facilitated on the Harvard Business School campus.

Dates: December 6-11, 2026

Cost: $3,500 per participant, which includes lodging at Harvard Business School, meals, and amenities on all participant days. It does not include airfare or lodging before or after the program ends.

The program is designed for elected Tribal leaders. Non-elected leaders and Tribal professionals may apply, but elected Tribal leaders in good standing will receive preference.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

The priority application deadline is Thursday, October 1, 2026.

NCAI's 2026 Leading Tribal Nations Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School

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 2026 Youth Convention from October 18–22, 2026. This convention is held alongside NCAI's 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace.

Through youth-focused programming, leadership development, cultural exchange, and opportunities to engage with Tribal leaders and advocates, participants will build relationships and gain knowledge they can carry back to their communities.

The Youth Convention is open to ages 14–24.

2026 Youth Convention

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

Register by September 15, 2026, to take advantage of Early Bird registration pricing. NCAI Members receive additional savings, so sign up early to maximize your savings!

NCAI is now accepting breakout session proposals for the 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace. We invite Tribal leaders, policy experts, researchers, community advocates, and organizations to submit proposals for breakout sessions exploring pressing issues, innovative practices, and policy solutions affecting Indian Country.

Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Resolutions Portal: Submit by Monday, September 28

NCAI resolutions are one of the policy mechanisms used to express the organizational positions on Tribal, federal, state, and/or local legislation, litigation, and policy matters that affect Tribal governments or communities.

NCAI 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace

Join the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) for a day of golf, connection, and purpose in beautiful Palm Springs, California. Held ahead of NCAI’s 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace, the tournament will bring together Tribal leaders, partners, and supporters to benefit the Tribal Supreme Court Project.

Space is limited — register your team today!  

Event Details

 Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Springs, California

Enhance your tournament experience with a 

, available per player. Each Super Ticket includes:

Supporting the Tribal Supreme Court Project

Tournament proceeds will support NCAI and the 

.  Their work strengthens advocacy for Tribal sovereignty and protects Tribal interests before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged. 

For questions or additional information, contact 

NCAI Golf Tournament: Tee Off for Tribal Sovereignty

NCAI Golf Tournament Fundraiser: Tee Off for Tribal Sovereignty

SAVE THE DATE: National Indian Education Association 2026 Annual Convention 

The Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research at the University of Oklahoma is launching its first Sovereign Policy Intensive (SPI), taking place on September 25, 2026. Geared primarily toward newly elected Tribal officials, SPI offers an objective, nonpartisan orientation designed to build federal systems literacy. This unique program helps clarify how the structures, processes, and institutional dynamics of the federal government interact with Tribal governance and Tribal sovereignty.

The Sovereign Policy Intensive is a fast-paced, information-dense program structured around high-level legal and policy briefings. It is designed to support informed sovereign decision-making without advocating or prescribing specific policy outcomes.

: Sovereign authority, jurisdiction, the federal budget process, and legislative operations.

: High-impact breakdowns of healthcare, land & natural resources, energy, housing, public safety, education, and agriculture.

: Valuable networking opportunities to share insights with fellow tribal leaders navigating similar governance challenges.

: $450 per participant (due upon acceptance)

: Fully in person at the University of Oklahoma Norman campus (Copeland Hall, Room 233)

Navigate Federal Systems with Confidence: Announcing the Sovereign Policy Intensive (SPI)  

As part of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Civic Engagement Webinar Series, please join us for the first webinar in our three-part series strengthening Native civic engagement and advancing Native voter rights essential to building strong, informed, and empowered communities. This webinar will explore current issues affecting Native civic engagement, the importance of protecting Tribal sovereignty at the ballot box, and efforts to strengthen Native voting rights.

Participants will learn about Native voting rights, barriers to accessing the ballot, and opportunities for individuals and communities to participate in the civic process. The discussion will highlight the connection between voting, self-determination, and Tribal sovereignty, while providing practical information and resources to help Native community members make their voices heard.

Whether you are a first-time voter, a community advocate, or someone looking to support civic engagement among American Indian and Alaska Native people (AI/AN), this webinar will provide current information, tools, and inspiration to help strengthen Native participation in the democratic process.

Webinar | Native Civic Power Series: Sovereignty at the Ballot Box 

Join us as we gather to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Tribal Supreme Court project.

 Events will include a Thursday night reception at the National Museum of the American Indian and a Friday legal colloquium at the Eaton DC hotel. Learn more and get tickets below. Space for both events is limited! 

25 Years Tribal Supreme Court Project 

Investing in Tribal families, promoting strong Tribal Nations

Come together with Tribal leaders and Indian Country advocates on Capitol Hill for Tribal Impact Days, formerly Tribal Unity Impact Days.

Hear from members of Congress and agency officials about their work on behalf of Indian Country, and prepare for Hill and agency meetings with Tribal leader briefing sessions.

8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.     NCAI Impact Days Tribal Leader Briefing
1:00–5:00 p.m.     NCAI Impact Days Tribal Leader Briefing

8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.     NCAI Impact Days: U.S. House of Representatives

8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.     NCAI Impact Days: U.S. Senate

Don't miss these additional related events! Celebrate 25 years of the Tribal Supreme Court Project: Join the Native American Rights Fund and NCAI for a reception the evening of September 17 and a legal colloquium on September 18 in Washington, D.C. Learn more and register at the link below.

NCAI Tribal Impact Days

The U.S. Census Bureau invites Indian Country to join them for their fall virtual session to learn about collaborative efforts between the Bureau's two Tribal teams. You'll get an overview of their areas of focus and how they work together to serve Indian Country.


Then the U.S. Census Bureau's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA) Tribal Affairs will give updates on their hosted series of virtual information sessions tailored for Tribal communities. These sessions cover topics such as census data collection methods, the 2030 Race & Ethnicity coding project, and how Tribal governments can use census data for community planning. The presentation will also give updates on the 2030 Tribal Consultations planned for 2027.

U.S. Census Tribal Relations Virtual Event FY2026

The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) 21st Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation will be held on September 9–11, 2026, at the Tulalip Resort in Tulalip, Washington. The DOJ will be joined by other federal stakeholders, including colleagues from the United States Departments of Health and Human Services and the Interior.

This annual Tribal consultation is held pursuant to Public Law 109-162, Title IX, Section 903. This law requires the U.S. Attorney General to conduct an annual consultation with Tribal governments to address the federal administration of all Tribal funds and programs established under the Violence Against Women Acts (VAWA) of 1994, 2000, and 2005.

21st Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation    

Join the Co-Chairs of the Tribal Border Task Force on September 2, 2026, for a virtual meeting to prepare for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace.

The purpose of the NCAI Tribal Border Task Force is to ensure that original peoples of this land can continue to cross, trade, visit, enhance language reclamation, practice traditions, conduct cultural ceremonies, and protect their homelands as our ancestors have done since time immemorial.

Prepare for NCAI’s 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace

For any questions or comments, please email NCAI Policy Contractor Kayla Gebeck at 

Tribal Border Task Force Meeting

For American Community Survey (ACS) Awareness Month, the Census Bureau, the Population Reference Bureau, and the Leadership Conference’s Center for Civil Rights and Technology are hosting a two-part webinar series focused on understanding, accessing, and applying ACS data to better support community needs and decision-making.

 Understanding and Accessing ACS Data: A Practical Overview of America’s Most Powerful Survey

ACS Data for Nonprofits — Leveraging AI and ACS Data for Community Impact

American Community Survey Awareness Month Webinar Series

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Tribal Affairs team will host a DHS Tribal Drop-In Meeting on Wednesday, August 26, at 2:30 p.m. ET. The session will bring together colleagues from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (HSI/ICE), Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Protective Service (FPS), and other federal partners.

The meeting is an opportunity to receive program updates, share feedback, and ask questions directly of DHS component staff. Insights and experiences aim to help DHS improve its programs, expand access to Department resources and services, and strengthen the government-to-government partnership with Tribal Nations. 

If you have questions before the meeting, contact 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Tribal Drop-In Meeting

On August 26–28, 2026, the National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) and Casey Family Programs will host a training on child welfare. The training is specifically geared to Tribal court judges. Set to take place in Denver, Colorado, it is designed to be interactive and is offered at no cost. A limited number of scholarships are available to cover the hotel stay. 

NAICJA will notify participants when they are selected to attend. Please contact Johanna Farmer at 

2026 Application for Child Welfare Training for Tribal Court Judges

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will hold its Annual Tribal Consultation on August 25–26, 2026, in a hybrid format, with opportunities for Tribal leaders to participate virtually or in person at the 

Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street SW, Washington, D.C.

Reducing Administrative Burden and Deregulatory Opportunities

A Home for Every Child: ACF’s initiative to improve foster care outcomes, strengthen foster capacity, and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Make America Healthy Again priorities; Consultation will focus on challenges facing Native children, kinship, families, and Tribal child welfare systems.

Public Law 102-477 Modernization: Reduce administrative burden, improve services, and strengthen Tribal self-determination

Tribal leaders should submit written testimony 

 with the subject line “ACF Tribal Consultation Testimony.”

Administration for Children and Families Annual Tribal Consultation

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 

Community Development Financial Institutions Fund

 (CDFI Fund) is hosting monthly webinars to serve as an open forum for potential CDFI Certification Applicants, currently Certified CDFIs, and other stakeholders. These sessions are designed to provide a space for participants to ask questions and discuss the evolving CDFI Certification process.

During each session, CDFI Fund staff will provide a walkthrough demonstration of a specific aspect of the CDFI Certification Application. This hands-on approach provides Tribal Nations and Native Entities with detailed instructions and guidance on key components of the application. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask general certification inquiries.

Access to capital is a cornerstone of Tribal sovereignty and economic resilience. These webinars support Native Entities in navigating the federal certification process, ensuring they can effectively leverage CDFI resources to serve their communities.

All webinars held at 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET:

The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is hosting monthly webinars to serve as an open forum for potential CDFI Certification Applicants, currently Certified CDFIs, and other stakeholders. These sessions are designed to provide a space for participants to ask questions and discuss the evolving CDFI Certification process.

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