CNAY x Phoenix Indian Center Collaboration
2025-10-02 | Phoenix Indian Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States
CNAY is partnering with the Phoenix Indian Center to bring civic engagement, advocacy and leadership opportunities to Native youth in the Phoenix area. This event will be a meeting of the minds to visit the space and determine upcoming opportunities.

56th Annual NIEA Convention & Trade Show
2025-10-08 - 2025-10-11 | Spokane Convention Center, Spokane, WA, United States
The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) brings together thousands of educators, students, Tribal leaders and advocates to advance the future of Native education. This year’s theme, Empowering Sovereignty: Our Legacies, Our Futures, highlights culture, language and community through keynotes, workshops and cultural events.

Democracy is Indigenous: Community Engagement Workshop
2025-10-14 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
The Future is Native – Let’s Fund It!
Looking to make an impact in your community? Join us for a FREE virtual training to learn more about civic engagement & how we can help bring your ideas to life.
CNAY is committed to fostering and building relationships within communities, bringing valuable training opportunities to Native youth across the United States. These tailored trainings – offered free of charge throughout the year – equip emerging young leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary for civic engagement, encouraging them to actively participate in shaping the future of their communities. All youth who participate have the opportunity to receive funding for a community action project.
Miss the workshop? Check out the recording here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7395476588550803456/
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The Democracy is Indigenous (DII) campaign at the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) is dedicated to mobilizing young leaders – ages 11-24 – wishing to enhance civic engagement at the local, tribal, state and federal levels. Participants benefit from tailored training, a prominent national platform to amplify their initiatives and micro-grant funding to support the development of community action projects. By spearheading their own projects, organizers gain invaluable professional growth opportunities.

6th Annual Indigenous Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) Conference
2025-10-15 - 2025-10-16 | https://www.cnay.org/event/6th-annual-indigenous-children-youth-families-icyf-conference/
Hosted by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families’ Office of Tribal Relations, this FREE public virtual event brings together staff, Tribal partners and community members under the theme Restoring Balance: Healing Ourselves and Strengthening Our Communities. Sessions will be led by national experts and state Tribal leaders on child welfare, juvenile justice, early learning and culturally-grounded programming.
The agenda features advocates and educators from the fields of Indian Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice and Early Learning. Hear about innovative programming and research from nationally recognized organizations such as the National Native Children’s Trauma Center, Indigenous Justice Circle, and CNAY.

Democracy is Indigenous: Office Hours
2025-10-17 13:00 - 14:00 | https://www.cnay.org/event/democracy-is-indigenous-office-hours/2025-10-17/
The Future is Native – Let’s Fund It!
Looking to make an impact in your community? Need a spark of inspiration? We’re now offering office hours where anyone interested in joining the Democracy is Indigenous campaign can drop in for live help with your application, project details or to ask any questions in real time! Register below for our upcoming dates:
October 17
November 21
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The Democracy is Indigenous (DII) campaign at the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) is dedicated to mobilizing young leaders – ages 11-24 – wishing to enhance civic engagement at the local, tribal, state and federal levels. Participants benefit from tailored training, a prominent national platform to amplify their initiatives and micro-grant funding to support the development of community action projects. By spearheading their own projects, organizers gain invaluable professional growth opportunities.

2025 Fall Opportunity Youth Forum (OYF) Convening
2025-10-27 - 2025-10-30 | Aspen Institute – Aspen Campus, Aspen, CO, United States
Hosted by the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, this invitation-only event brings together site leads, youth leaders, funders and national partners across sectors to promote innovations and movement-building efforts. For over a decade, the the Forum’s biannual convenings have been a cornerstone of this national learning community, highlighting local practices in the spring and focusing on national strategies each fall.

CHANGE Philanthropy 2025 UNITY Summit
2025-10-27 - 2025-10-30 | Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis, MN, United States
For nearly a decade, CHANGE Philanthropy has sponsored this Summit, a critical space where funders, organizers and community leaders unite to strengthen our movements, increase investments in our communities and support the philanthropic sector to meet the moment. The challenges we face are immense, but so is the power we hold when we come together. This is a space to strategize, build and strive toward justice.

CNAY Staff Retreat
2025-11-10 - 2025-11-13 | Santa Ana Pueblo, Albuquerque, NM, United States
Periodically, Team CNAY comes together to sit in community, discuss our shared values, strengthen our work practices, trade new ideas and plan for the future of our organization.

National Congress of American Indians' (NCAI) 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace
2025-11-16 - 2025-11-21 | Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, WA, United States
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 can browse a variety of booths ranging from Native artists to federal job recruiters and much more at this unique opportunity to connect, collaborate & contribute.

Democracy is Indigenous: Office Hours
2025-11-21 13:00 - 14:00 | https://www.cnay.org/event/democracy-is-indigenous-office-hours/2025-11-21/

Building Communities of Hope (BCOH) Convening
2025-12-13 - 2025-12-14 | REI, Denver, CO, United States
CNAY is hosting a weekend training with Native youth advisors, ages 18-24, who have lived experience in the foster care system. During the convening, youth advisors will strengthen their voices, hone their leadership skills & work with other child welfare experts to help us develop & refine a new BCOH curriculum designed to empower all young people to advocate for systemic change.

California Native Youth Collective (CNYC) Convening [Rescheduled]
2026-01-21 - 2026-01-24 | Aspen Institute Headquarters, Washington, DC, United States
The 2025 CNYC Fellows will come together for a second time — to close out their Fellowship in the nation’s capital where they will participate in a Hill Day visit to meet with their respective California delegates and learn more about federal policy.
Read a recap of the final convening.

2026 Creating Change Conference
2026-01-21 - 2026-01-25 | Washington, D.C., Washington, DC, United States
Hosted by the National LGBTQ Task Force, this conference is the nation’s foremost political, leadership, and skills-building gathering for the LGBTQ movement. The event features a mix of day-long institutes, keynote presentations, annual awards and more than 100 workshops & caucuses.

NAP Member Education Session: Protecting All Native Knowledge Journeys
2026-01-21 13:00 - 14:30 | youtube.com/live/K1qtQ6IC3uo?utm_campaign=Membership%20Series&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--NSGO5r7VcyX3knl44OzE5Bx3K2XwteHzRwQ_JwWC9NmZQalWFXEma_7mR8EYjvPzyNccwOVzAQmlaozeHZWyDCczg01jgYU6rhCEQ35w_Zr2bT4E&_hsmi=376955979&utm_content=376955979&utm_source=hs_automation
Education is more than a pathway forward for our communities; it is a bridge between generations, carrying the wisdom of our elders into the future and ensuring our youth are set up to succeed. Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) is honored to hold space for our educators who are protecting the passing on of traditional knowledge and improving access to opportunities across Indian Country. As our Tribal Colleges and Universities face even more drastic underfunding, this moment presents an opportunity for the philanthropic sector to uplift critical community development initiatives.
Join us for a very special conversation featuring Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo Nation), President of the Institute of American Indian Arts; Doris Tinsley (Shinnecock), Co-Founder of Native Americans in Higher Education and Mentorship; Julie Garreau (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), CEO of the Cheyenne River Youth Project; and Tracy L. Canard Goodluck (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin/Mvskoke Creek), Executive Director of the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute as they share how philanthropy can better support thriving Native communities through sustainable education and guidance grounded in our cultural values and traditions.
NAP is also excited to announce the return of Junior Moderators in each of our Member Education Sessions this year! Anagali Duncan (Cherokee Nation) will be joining this broadcast to help guide our conversation.

2026 AIHEC Legislative Summit
2026-02-03 | YOTEL DC, 415 New Jersey Avenue, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) brings together presidents, students and faculty from all 34 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to engage in meaningful dialogue on critical issues impacting Tribal higher education.
CNAY speakers included Senior Program Associate Tahnee Poafpybitty & 2023 Champion for Change Samuel Hiratsuka.

Champs Week 2026
2026-02-08 - 2026-02-13 | Aspen Institute Headquarters, Washington, DC, United States
Champions for Change begin their CNAY journey with a series of recognition events in Washington, DC, known as Champs Week. This national recognition provides an initial platform to amplify their leadership stories and a variety of resources that enhance their advocacy skills.

2026 Champions for Change Panel
2026-02-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Aspen Institute Headquarters, Washington, DC, United States
From Alaska to Hawai’i, Oregon to North Carolina, the 2026 Champions for Change represent the next generation of U.S. and Tribal leadership. Join the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute for a public panel discussion with six emerging Indigenous leaders about the issues impacting young people across the country — from rural education and economic development to mental health and sovereignty. Dawson Her Many Horses, 2023 Alumni of the Aspen Institute Finance Leaders Fellowship and Managing Director at Wells Fargo, will moderate the panel.

Join us on Tuesday, February 10 from 4-5pm at the Aspen Institute DC Office or via livestream for attendees who are not based in Washington, DC. View the recording of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pby_n44lf7A

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The 2026 class joins the decade-strong Champions for Change (‘Champs’) program, a Native youth leadership initiative inclusive of nearly 60 active alumni. This year’s cohort reflects the diverse cultures, bright futures and overall resiliency of the Indigenous Peoples of the United States, and CNAY is honored to amplify their stories and further their leadership journeys.
EVENT DATE: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
EVENT TIME: 4:00 – 5:00PM ET
*Refreshments to follow
LOCATION: The Aspen Institute | 2300 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20037a
Gildenhorn Conference Room | 7th Floor

SPEAKERS:
Introductory Remarks

Daniel R. Porterfield, President & CEO of the Aspen Institute
Tracy L. Canard Goodluck, Executive Director of CNAY (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin & Mvskoke Creek)

Moderator | Dawson Her Many Horses (Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota)
2026 Champions for Change

Sebastian April (Mi’kmaq)
McKaylin Peters (Menominee)
Zianne Richardson (Haliwa-Saponi)
Kaylah Toves (Kanaka Maoli & Acoma Pueblo)
Summer Wildbill (Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation)
Moses Wiseman (Village of Chefornak)

Youth250: Our Declaration
2026-02-17 10:00 - 16:00 | National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
Youth250: Our Declaration is a once-in-a-generation gathering of young adults shaping America’s future — the founders of our next chapter. As the nation looks toward its 250th anniversary in 2026, this in-person event places Gen Z at the center of the conversation, spotlighting their creativity, leadership and vision for what comes next.

12th Annual Wiring the Rez: Innovation Across Indian Country
2026-02-18 - 2026-02-20 | Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ, 85226, United States
Across Indian Country, American Indian Nations and Native entrepreneurs are using technology to break through geographic and infrastructure barriers, opening doors to new business sectors and expanding digital sovereignty. As communities continue “wiring the rez,” online enterprises are becoming powerful drivers of economic self-determination—but they also bring complex legal, regulatory and operational questions.
For twelve years, Wiring the Rez has united Tribal leaders, Native business owners, scholars, technologists, and industry experts committed to strengthening sovereignty in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Together, the conference community examines the next generation of opportunities and challenges—from e-commerce to artificial intelligence—and charts pathways for resilient, self-determined digital futures across Indian Country.

2026 CNAY Fellowship Convening
2026-03-26 - 2026-03-29 | Palm Springs, CA, Palm Springs, CA, United States
Fellows from all three 2026 cohorts (announcement forthcoming) — Brave Heart, CA Native Youth Collective & Remembering Our Sisters — will come together to build community and kick off the program in a good way.

Protecting Our Children Conference
2026-03-29 - 2026-04-01 | Oklahoma City Convention Center, 100 Mick Cornett Dr, Oklahoma, 73109, United States
National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) hosts the largest national gathering on Native child advocacy issues. With over 2,000 attendees, this three-day conference is the premier national event addressing Tribal child welfare and well-being.
On Monday, March 30 at 1:30pm CST, Tahnee Poafpybitty & Roxy Sprowl will be presenting — alongside Anita Horner from Casey Family Programs — Building Communities of Hope: A Training Guide to Bridge Lived Experience with Practice.
This workshop explores how culturally grounded leadership and resilience mechanisms support the well-being of Native youth in foster care. Participants will learn about CNAY’s co-created Native Foster Youth Well-Being curriculum, which transforms lived experience into advocacy and systemic change. Through discussion, reflection, youth-led insights, storytelling and a brief cultural activity, we will examine how culture, identity and good medicine can strengthen resilience and leadership. This session highlights how centering Native lived experience experts creates pathways for child welfare systems reforms to promote the advancement of Indian child welfare and culturally rooted wellness across communities.

Native Americans in Philanthropy 2026 Annual Conference
2026-04-14 - 2026-04-16 | Riverside Convention Center, 3637 5th St., Riverside, CA, 92501, United States
The Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) 2026 Annual Conference brings together a community of leaders, practitioners, and learners at the intersection of philanthropy, Native advocacy and Tribal sovereignty to collaborate on ways to be involved in the movement to Indigenize Philanthropy.
With a firm grounding in Indigenous cultures, the NAP conference honors the past, celebrates the present and charts the map to the future — together. CNAY will be in attendance with youth representation, including Youth Advisory Board executive committee members Katie Lynch & Tayler Higgins.

UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) Twenty-Fifth Session
2026-04-20 - 2026-05-01 | UN Headquarters, 405 E 45th St., New York, NY, 10017, United States
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a high- level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council. The Forum was established on 28 July 2000 by resolution 2000/22, with the mandate to deal with Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. In 2026, the theme of the session is: “Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict”

2026 Skoll World Forum
2026-04-21 - 2026-04-24 | Oxford, UK, Oxford, United Kingdom
The Forum shines a spotlight on some of the most promising solutions and impactful social innovations and connects leaders who are driving social progress around the world. Attendance is curated by the Skoll Foundation team, with free virtual participation open to everyone.
The 2026 Skoll World Forum will take place April 21–24 in Oxford, U.K. and online. Join us to learn and collaborate with innovative leaders from across the globe. Inspired by the cycles of regeneration found in the natural world, the Forum will remind us of our innate capacity for renewal. In a moment defined by the need for collective healing and resilience, we will come together to solve the most urgent challenges before us and reimagine a future that enables people and planet to thrive.

VA250 | America's Semiquincentennial Celebration: Inspiring a Season of Civic Renewal
2026-04-25 | Colonial Williamsburg, 101 Visitor Center Dr., Williamsburg, VA, 23185, United States
VA250 signature events unite Virginians and visitors alike in celebrating the pivotal moments leading to our nation’s independence on July 4, 1776.
On April 25, we will come together to commemorate “Our Inherently Sovereign Status & Existence as Tribal Nations: Exploring and Understanding a Unique, Complicated, and Intertwined Diplomatic Relationship with the United States.”

Historic Second Global Summit on Indigenous Peacebuilding
2026-04-25 - 2026-04-26 | New York, NY, New York, NY, United States
Indigenous leaders from across the world will convene to advance recognition and inclusion of Indigenous approaches to peacebuilding and to ensure these approaches shape global responses to conflict
and ecological crisis.
Two years after the inaugural gathering, the Second Global Summit on Indigenous peacebuilding in New York City (Lenapehoking) will convene to reflect, strengthen, and operationalize this transformative agenda. It aims to advance a global movement where Indigenous Peoples are not only peace recipients but recognized as peace architects and guardians of our planet’s balance.

Spring 2026 Opportunity Youth Forum Convening
2026-05-12 - 2026-05-15 | Montgomery, AL, Montgomery, AL, United States
In collaboration with key implementation partner Jobs for the Future, the Opportunity Youth Forum designed and launched a national learning community of grantee partners over 10 years ago, which continue to this day. This learning community engages Opportunity Youth Forum site leads, youth leaders, funders, thought partners, and national leaders across many sectors in two convenings per year: a spring convening, typically hosted by a member community in order to promote learning in local context and lift up promising local practices in reconnecting opportunity youth, and a fall convening, which typically takes place on the Aspen Institute campus in Aspen, Colorado and focuses on national innovations and movement-building efforts.
The convenings of the Opportunity Youth Forum are a twice yearly highlight for members of the OYF network. Attendance is by invitation only.

Democracy is Indigenous: Webinar Training with Neely
2026-05-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-09 14:30 - 15:30
CNAY is committed to fostering and building relationships within communities, bringing valuable training opportunities to Native youth across the United States. These tailored trainings – offered free of charge throughout the year – equip emerging young leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary for civic engagement, encouraging them to actively participate in shaping the future of their communities. All youth who participate have the opportunity to receive funding for a community action project.
