NCAI’s sessions will allow you to hear from members of Congress and agency officials regarding their work for Indian Country. Tribal leaders will have the chance to advocate for priorities ranging from Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations, public safety, enhancing Tribal control through self-determination and self-governance, housing, tax and economic development policy, holistic approaches to promoting the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native families, how a second rescissions package could impact Indian Country, agency hiring freezes, nominations, and much more. 
Below is the tentative schedule of events. Additional details and confirmed times will be updated as they become available.

Dates: September 16–18, 2025
Location: Washington, D.C.





8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. - Tribal Leader Briefing
12:00–5:00 p.m. - Hill and administration meetings





8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. - House Session (2045 Rayburn House Office Building)
12:00–5:00 p.m. - Hill and administration meetings
5:30–7:30 p.m. - NCAI Tribal Unity Impact Days Reception in collaboration with Tribal organization partners





8:00–11:15 a.m. - Senate Session (628 Dirksen Senate Office Building)
TBD - NCAI Press Session

NCAI’s sessions will allow you to hear from members of Congress and agency officials regarding their work for Indian Country. Tribal leaders will have the chance to advocate for priorities ranging from Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations, public safety, enhancing Tribal control through self-determination and self-governance, housing, tax and economic development policy, holistic approaches to promoting the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native families, how a second rescissions package could impact Indian Country, agency hiring freezes, nominations, and much more.


NCAI Tribal Unity Impact Days

Since our founding more than 80 years ago, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has united Tribal Nations, Native Villages, individuals, and organizations in a shared mission: advancing sovereignty, protecting rights, and shaping the future of Indian Country. Today, we continue to honor that legacy. We ask you to join us and raise your voice for all of Indian Country. 

Now is the time to renew or begin your membership for the 2025–2026 cycle.

Join NCAI Today! Membership Portal Now OPEN for 2025–2026

We are excited to announce our federal listening session schedule during our 2025 National Tribal Health Conference (NTHC) on 

, at Wild Horse Pass Resort in Chandler, AZ. Each year, the NIHB hosts several no-cost Federal Tribal Listening Sessions at NTHC. These sessions are a valuable opportunity for elected Tribal leaders and Federal Agencies to collaborate and formulate policies to advance American Indian and Alaska Native health. This year we are happy to announce four free listening sessions at NTHC 2025.

National Tribal Behavioral Health Listening Session

The National Tribal Behavioral Health Listening Session will provide an opportunity for Tribal leaders to meet with federal officials from the IHS Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to discuss Tribal-specific mental health and substance use service and to explore means for increasing access to the provision of quality behavioral healthcare in Indian Country. Additionally, this session will provide a forum for Tribal leaders to discuss Tribal Behavioral Health priorities. As a part of this Listening Session, the SAMHSA, the IHS DBH, and the VA invite participants to share input, recommendations, or ask questions.

Indian Health Service (IHS) Tribal Listening Session

 This session will allow Tribal leaders to meet with the IHS officials to discuss health policy and program management issues related to the provision of health services to Indian Country. IHS will provide updates on recent consultation and confer activities. As part of this Listening Session, IHS invites the audience to share input, recommendations, or ask questions.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Listening Session

The CMS Listening Session will offer an opportunity for CMS leadership to share updates and information about CMS initiatives such as tribal implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) enacted on July 4th, 2025, implementation of the 1115 demonstration proposals for traditional healthcare practices, HHS/CMS Reorganization plans, CMS’ American Indian Alaska Native Quality Improvement Organization Project and other efforts for IHS and Tribal hospitals and facilities. Participants will be able to raise issues and ask questions related to CMS Tribal concerns.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Indigenous Data Sovereignty Policy and Implementation Guidance Related to the NIH American Indian Alaska Native Institutional Review Board Protocol (IRB)

NIH will conduct a Tribal listening session to receive input from Tribal leaders about the implementation process of an NIH internal policy regarding intramural research projects involving Tribes and AIAN communities. NIH supports both intramural research and extramural research. Intramural research is conducted by NIH employed researchers situated at the various NIH facilities throughout the United States. Extramural research is conducted by independent researchers at independent institutions or organizations, who have submitted a meritoriously reviewed NIH grant application and received NIH funding. NIH recently implemented an internal policy in which intramural research projects involving AIAN populations will receive pre-proposal review and guidance from the NIH Tribal Health Research Office (THRO), prior to review by an NIH AIAN focused IRB. During this Tribal listening session, NIH would like guidance from Tribal leaders, research review and/or IRB committee members, as well as Tribal health researchers regarding implementation approaches and recommendations for NIH intramural investigators to properly fulfill the AI/AN IRB policy and to ensure alignment with Tribal research codes and laws as applicable.

How to Register for the Listening Sessions

Registration for the conference is now open

 and the listening sessions are free to attend. To register for the free sessions, navigate to our registration site using the link above and select “Listening Sessions/No-Cost Sessions/Events” option at the top of the screen. If you have already registered for the full conference, you do not need to re-register for the listening sessions.

NIHB is honored to help facilitate communication between our federal partners and Tribal leaders and hope you can join us for these sessions. To learn more about Listening Sessions at NTHC 2025, please contact Garrett Lankford at 

National Tribal Health Conference 2025 Federal Listening Schedule 

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is a 501(c) 3 not for profit, charitable organization serving all 566 Federally recognized Tribal governments for the purpose of ensuring that the federal government upholds its trust responsibilities to provide health care to the Tribes. NIHB also works to elevate health care status, services and systems of the Tribes and our Peoples. NIHB provides policy analysis and advocacy on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health and public health services, facilitates Tribal budget consultation, develops policy analysis, leads national Tribal public health programs and policy, is the coalition lead for the NIHB National Tribal Health Information Technology Extension Center (HITEC), and delivers timely information and other services to all Tribal Governments.

NIHB 2025 National Tribal Health Conference 

The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center is thrilled to announce the 

 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! One of the nation’s most inspiring and impactful gatherings, the Women Are Sacred Conference is a cornerstone in the movement to end violence against Native women and children. This powerful event brings together advocates, survivors, Tribal domestic and sexual violence programs, Tribal leadership, law enforcement, and Tribal court personnel—all united in the shared mission of creating safer, stronger Tribal communities.

"Committed to Our Relatives: Tradition in Our Hearts, Future in Our Hands,"

 attendees will experience transformative training sessions, engage in meaningful networking opportunities, and learn from some of the most respected leaders, advocates, and experts driving change in Indian Country.

The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center is thrilled to announce the 2025 Women Are Sacred (WAS) Conference will take place July 29-31, 2025, at the Baird Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

2025 Women are Sacred Conference 

We, the Indian women founders, who have common values and goals, do hereby establish “Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations because we are committed and dedicated to the following purposes”:

To strengthen and sustain tribal cultures for the benefit and destiny of the children; To educate about tribal cultures, the history of native people, the inherent rights we exercise for the good of our people and others, and of current issues that affect our well being; To promote honest dignified tribal leadership who reflect pride for those we represent; To support and encourage tribal leadership;

To install a balance between service and solitude and between fulfilling responsibilities and devotion to loved ones.

To express encouragement, understanding, and joy to others dedicated to following the guidance of our creator and serving our communities as role models.

WEWIN Women’s Leadership Conference

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. About 2,500 Native youth and advisors are expected to attend the 2025 National UNITY Conference in San Diego, California, (June 27 – July 1, 2025). The National UNITY Conference complete with general sessions, regional caucuses, workshops, career/education fair, and fun evening activities provides hands-on leadership development activities and where the National UNITY Council conducts elections and its annual business meeting. The national conference is a place where Native youth voices are encouraged and valued. All activities are planned with safety in mind. In addition, UNITY offers unique youth programming through its UNITY Spirit Room and UNITY Drum. The Spirit Room, led by alumni, is used for social and prayer purposes and has provided conference attendees an opportunity for support, healing, and spiritual nourishment. The Spirit Room is meant for all beliefs and religions to share their “Good Medicine” with other participants. The UNITY Drum, also led by alumni, is an open drum with roots in the southern style of powwow singing. All youth singers are encouraged to bring their drumsticks to join in. While youth leaders meet, advisors and adults who work with youth are also involved in intense training and networking activities. Adult training may include building rapport, peer-to-peer sharing, conflict resolution, approaches to youth work, and more.

Affiliated Youth Councils and individual members are eligible for registration discounts. 

National Youth UNITY Conference

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 needed to advance their capacity for strategic governance. 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.

 $2,500 per participant, which includes lodging at Harvard Business School, meals, and amenities on all participant days. 

 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. 

application deadline is  Monday April 28, 2025.

NCAI’s 2025 Leading Tribal Nations Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School

Learn about the latest in gaming technology, industry trends, policy and regulatory changes and other critical issues impacting tribal gaming. This year’s conference will take place at the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s ilani Casino Resort in Ridgefield, WA. Don't forget to sign up for the Annual Golf Tournament, benefiting the WIGA Scholarship Program

Northwest Indian Gaming Conference & Expo

At NCAI's 2025 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 8 - 11 in Mashantucket, CT at 

 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, which will include proactive strategy development, advocacy, and much more.



2025 Mid Year Convention & Marketplace

Strengthen Your Voice. Amplify Your Impact.

This fellowship is now full, and applications are closed. Thank you to all who applied!

tribal leader, aspiring leader, or communications professional

 looking to enhance your media presence and communication skills?  Join NCAI and 40+ tribal leaders for our third annual Media Training and Communications Fellowship May 28-30 at Arizona State University. 

By the end of this training, participants will know how to:

Create strong narratives, tell compelling stories, and deliver effective messages.

Use their voices and digital tools to advocate for policy change at all levels.

Build and maintain relationships with news outlets and media professionals.

This exclusive fellowship, located at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication, is open to elected tribal leaders, communications officers, tribal government staff, and any tribal professional looking to elevate their public speaking confidence while enhancing their understanding of media and communications.

As a communications director of a Native-led nonprofit, I see the NCAI training as more than skill building—it sparks a ripple effect. Leaders will learn to tell stories directly impacting their Tribal Nations or organizations, bring home tools to share with their communities, and build connections with other leaders across Indian Country. Trainings like this create lasting change by amplifying our voice, deepening our connections, and ensuring we can advocate for future generations.


 who understand the unique media landscape of Indian Country

 and storytelling techniques to mobilize your communities & advance policy

 reporters, tribal leaders, and political strategists on the importance of communications.

 and pitch stories that matter while navigating diverse interview environments

Take home professional headshots & digital recordings

Fellows will have the rare opportunity to sharpen their skills in the 

state-of-the-art Cronkite Television studio

, ensuring they’re prepared for real-world interviews across all media platforms.

 Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Arizona State University 

 $1,000 – includes four nights of lodging at the

, with priority given to elected tribal leaders. Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your voice and expand your media presence for the benefit of your community. Applicants will be notified on a rolling acceptance basis. 

The NCAI Leadership Training is more than a program-it’s an opportunity to refine your leadership skills, building meaningful relationships with other tribal leaders, and address the unique challenges we face in Indian Country. The experience provided practical strategies and insights that have strengthened my ability to serve our people. I highly recommend this training to leaders who are committed to making a meaningful impact in their communities.

This Empowering Leaders program is open to tribal leaders, aspiring leaders, and communications professionals. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Walter Cronkite School of Mass Communications and Journalism at Arizona State University on May 28-30, this fellowship will provide targeted learning and hands-on practice to tribal leaders and professionals who wish to increase their communication skills and expand their media presence to meet their community needs. Curriculum will be tailored to and facilitated by Native voices with knowledge of the unique media landscape of Indian Country. All classes and lectures will be held in the second- and third-floor classrooms of the Walter Cronkite School.

2025 Tribal Leaders Media Training & Communications Fellowship

The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) is excited to host the 2025 Annual Convention & Tradeshow at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City from May 26-29, 2025. This extraordinary event will unite hundreds of Tribal housing professionals and decision-makers from across Indian Country, fostering collaboration and empowerment.

With breakout sessions designed to provide vital resources and services related to Native housing and program administration, attendees will have the opportunity to learn, network, and share valuable insights in a dynamic setting.

The Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, a prestigious AAA 4-Diamond hotel, is situated just a block away from the entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood, making it a perfect base for those eager to explore the vibrant attractions of Los Angeles.

51st National American Indian Housing Council Annual Conference and Tradeshow

NCAI and the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) will be holding a Legislative Summit in response to Tribal Leader concerns regarding recent administration developments and Budget Reconciliation.

May 13: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. ET at IGA; Tribal Leaders Reception in the Evening

The first day of the Summit will feature speakers from the Administration and key Members of Congress. Subject matter experts will be invited to present on policy priorities in preparation for Hill meetings. In the evening, a Tribal Leaders Reception will be held offsite.

May 14: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ET — Hill Visits

Similar to Hill Visits during NCAI’s Executive Committee Winter Session (ECWS), attendees will break out into smaller groups to have a greater impact on the Hill. There is a 

 for a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) Hearing and roundtable with SCIA staff in the morning, 

NCAI-IGA Legislative Summit 

Kauffman and Associates, Inc. (KAI), Evermore, and the National Center for Fatality Review & Prevention are reimagining how grief and bereavement impact our lives.

To learn more from tribal communities, KAI is facilitating 3 virtual listening sessions to gather insights and reflections from Indian Country on traditions, beliefs, and approaches for coping with loss. The information collected during these listening sessions may help inform future resources that support grieving communities.

Join us for a virtual listening session where we will learn from you about how our ancestors grieved and honored the departed:



Listening Session 1: May 12, 2025, 10 am CT

Listening Session 2: May 19, 2025, 6 pm CT

Listening Session 3: May 27, 2025, 3 pm CT

Please note, you may only register and attend 1 listening session.

For each listening session, we will enter participants into a drawing to win 1 of 3 prizes—an Eighth Generation wool blanket, an Eighth Generation cotton blanket, or an Eighth Generation water bottle.


KAI is a 100% American Indian– and woman-owned small business specializing in planning, evaluation, communications, training, and facilitation.

 MSW, CACIII, PhD, is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma born and raised in northern New Mexico. Danica is the Vice President for Behavioral Health Transformations at KAI and has worked as a mental health and substance use counselor, social worker, and youth advocate for 30 years. She is an Indigenous Wellness Research Institute ISMART fellow alumni, Council of Social Work Education member, Minority Fellowship Program fellow alumni, and Northwest Native American Research Center for Health fellow alumni. Her research has focused on Indigenous Ways of Knowing and decolonizing methodologies to address historical trauma and health disparities in tribal communities.



 MSW, LCSW, CAS, is an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and a descendent of the Meskwaki Nation and Sac & Fox Tribe of Oklahoma. Keli is the Indigenous resilience coordinator at KAI. She received her Master of Social Work, with a focus in Indigenous trauma and resiliency, from the University of Toronto, and she is a licensed clinical social worker. Keli has 17 years of experience in social work for tribal communities with a focus on healing from generational trauma.



 LMSW, is a member of Sac & Fox Nation and a descendent of the Creek, Otoe & Pawnee Tribes. He serves as a tribal technical assistance (TA) specialist for KAI’s behavioral health transformation team. Cortney has over 20 years of experience in children, youth, and family mental health and recovery services and systems development. His passion is in decreasing suicide among youth, eliminating behavioral health disparities among American Indian and Alaska Native populations, and helping organizations be more culturally responsive and responsible for the people they serve through training and TA that promotes diversity and inclusion.

These sessions are supported through a $5,149,996 cooperative agreement from the Health Resources and Services Administration with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Circles of Remembrance: Sharing Indigenous Ways of Grieving to Reimagine Community Support

In 1953 farsighted tribal leaders in the Northwest formed the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), and dedicated it to tribal sovereignty and self-determination.

Today, ATNI is a nonprofit organization representing 57 Northwest Tribal goverments from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Alaska, California and Montana.

ATNI Conventions are a place to gather, learn, develop policy positions and share knowledge.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians 2025 Mid Year Conference

In observance of this year’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on May 5, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) will co-host a webinar. This informational opportunity will describe the new Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) Emergency Alert System (EAS) event code. The MEP code could enable a more rapid and coordinated response to missing and endangered person incidents by allowing alert originators to use the EAS to issue a wider range of alerts, to increase public awareness.

Webinar: New Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) Emergency Alert System (EAS) Code

This online training by the Office of Native American Programs at the 

 will provide tribal leaders with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to develop sustainable housing initiatives. Participants will explore funding opportunities, resilient infrastructure, and long-term strategies to strengthen tribal housing programs.

Virtual Webinar on Tribal Housing Resiliency

Join us for the 50th Anniversary of the Indian Law Conference, a landmark gathering dedicated to strengthening advocacy and advancing Indian law and policy. This year’s program features 8 insightful panels focusing on pivotal themes:

 will explore “Tribal Nations’ Full Exercise of Inherent Sovereign Rights and Authorities and Removal of All Barriers Erected by the United States.”

 will focus on “The United States’ Full Delivery on Trust and Treaty Obligations.”

Federal Bar Association’s 50th Annual Indian Law Conference

NAFOA 43rd Annual Conference 

The Grantsmanship Center is hosting Meet the Grantmakers, a series of discussions with leaders in philanthropy as they share insights on the issues shaping grantmaking today. Join Dawn Knickerbocker (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Nation), the Vice President of Philanthropic Strategies at the NCAI Foundation, for the discussion on April 23 at 11:00 a.m. PT. Other panelists include Ben Chou, Democracy, Rights, and Governance Program Officer at The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Linda Garrett-Johnson, Program Officer at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. Hear directly from those making the decisions that drive positive change in their communities and get inspired by passionate panelists committed to working in partnership with nonprofit and government professionals. To attend this virtual discussion, please sign up using the registration link. 

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