Native Women’s Leadership Forum

The Native Women's Leadership Forum is an annual event full of workshops, breakout sessions, keynote speakers, panels, and intergenerational connection. The forum is designed with our mission in mind and encourages participants to make a positive impact in their community. Each spring, the forum takes a new theme, and with it new educational and training opportunities. Feedback tells us that attendees leave feeling empowered, recharged, and renewed. 

In conjunction with the forum, we host a special luncheon to celebrate our Enduring Spirit and Rising Star honorees, our 3-day Young Native Women’s Leadership Academy, and other affiliated programs each year. This year's theme, "Transforming the Future We Imagine," celebrates our 21st year of enhancing the beauty, strength, and integrity of American Indian and Alaska

Native communities through personal empowerment and civic participation.

Anyone interested in issues impacting Indian Country and uplifting Native women leaders is welcome to attend. The forum is open to the public, and registrants come from many gender identities, cultural backgrounds, and professional affiliations.

Native Action Network will host our 21st Annual Native Women’s Leadership Forum October 23-25 at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort.

The Leadership Forum opens with registration on October 23, 2025; Workshops will generally begin at 9:00 a.m. and run through 4:00 p.m. In addition, there will be a welcome reception, an enduring spirit honoring luncheon, and a Tribal fashion show for registrants to network, celebrate, and enjoy time together in community.

Scan the QR code with your phone or login at PayPal.com to send your payment to @IrisFriday1 (email: Info@EnduringSpirit.org). In the note, type (1) “Native Women’s Leadership Forum,” (2) the ticket(s) purchased (for example “2 tickets Mother & Daughter Registration”), and (3) the name(s) and contact email(s) for the registrants.

Enduring Spirit and Rising Star Honorees

Native Action Network recognizes Native women for their lifetime commitments to building strong, healthy Native communities and intergenerational connection. Each year, a public call for nominations is released, and four women are selected as the Enduring Spirit honorees and one woman is selected as the Rising Star honoree. The Honorees are celebrated amongst their peers at our Women’s Leadership Forum’s honoring breakfast and luncheon.

We encourage you to nominate the Native women in your life! Nominate an Enduring Spirit Honoree and/or nominate a Rising Star Honoree. 

The Enduring Spirit and Rising Star Honorees have contributed significantly to positive change within their communities. These leaders have advocated powerfully for environmental protections, access to quality education, holistic health and wellness, cultural preservation, traditional knowledge, tribal sovereignty, strengthening of treaty rights, tribal economic development, and beyond. NAN recognizes the achievements of these remarkable Native women who through their commitment of time, energy, and volunteerism have taken their seat at the table contributing to a legacy of leadership.

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Young Native Women’s Leadership Academy

Each year since 2010, Native womxn aged 18-25 attend our Young Native Women’s Leadership Academy which prepares the next generation of young Native leaders by combining cultural values with modern tools and services. Spread across three days of challenging and inspiring leadership training, participants’ understandings of money, popular media, personal development, goal setting, leadership, tribal sovereignty, Indian law, networking, and self-expression are strengthened. Through debate and discussion with their peers under the guidance and instruction of honored elders and national experts in their fields, young women leave transformed, empowered, and prepared to make a positive difference in their communities. Apply here!

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Workshops and Panels

We accept workshop proposals annually for the forum. To learn more and submit your proposal, see our Call for Proposals! Deadline to submit: Friday, August 15, 2025.

There are typically 15 workshops offered over the course of the conference. Proposals from Native community members working in diverse fields are considered, including interactive sessions, presentations, or panel discussions. Topics that address leadership, professionalism, self-awareness, and collective activism are encouraged. Selected workshop presenters receive an honorarium, hotel room reimbursement, and registration for the Leadership Forum and Enduring Spirit Honoring Luncheon at no charge.

Presenters are called to educate, train, and inspire participants to make a positive impact on their community. Proposals may be made for session(s) of the Native Women's Leadership Forum and/or the Young Native Women's Leadership Academy. 

If you have questions, please e-mail info@NativeActionNetwork.org