22nd Annual Native Women’s Leadership Forum
Native Action Network will host our 22nd Annual Native Women’s Leadership Forum October 29-30th, 2026 at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort. This year, our theme is Enduring Spirit: Native American Women Leading the Way. The Native Women's Leadership Forum is an annual event filled with workshops, keynote speakers, panels, and intergenerational connection.
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.
The Leadership Forum opens with registration on October 29, 2026; Workshops begin at 9:00 a.m. and run through 4:00 p.m. In addition, there will be a welcome reception and Tribal fashion show, and an Enduring Spirit honoring luncheon for registrants to network, celebrate, and enjoy time together in community.
Forum Registration include 2 breakfast, 2 honoring luncheons, workshops, and Indigenous Joy Fashion Show
https://whova.com/portal/registration/bau24Qi2f5De7ZQNsCBR/
Hotel Rooms: (Block Open thru October 16, 2026.)
Attendees can book online or by phone. While booking, be sure to use the following information:
Group Code: NANWLF2026
Password: LEADERSHIP26
Book Online: https://book.clearwatercasino.com/wbe/group/1886/clearwatercasinoresort/auth
Book by Phone: Call the main line at (800) 375-6073, and press “2” to reach Reservations. Mention the Group Code above or NAN Women's Leadership Forum 2026 Attendee Block.
Workshops:
Creative Writing: The Stories We Carry: Exploring Voice, Strength, and Leadership
Creating Belonging in the Workplace
Art & Creativity
Victim-Centered Responses for Families of MMIP
Own the Room: Communicating Your Leadership with Confidence and Impact
Who Cares for the Caregiver? Protecting Brain Health & Wellness of Our Matriarchs
Trauma Informed Journalism Keeping Community Safe in Media
The Future Starts With You: Preparing for AI
Returning to Our Roots: Indigenous Food Sovereignty in ActionGrowing Your Professional Network Through Social Media in Indigenous Communities
The Communities We Create: Cultivating Communities Where People Can Thrive, Not Just Survive
Haa Too Yei Yatee (It is within us), Stories of Self Empowerment Through Cultural Engagement
Welcome Reception with Indigenous Joy Tribal Fashion Show
From Boardroom to Longhouse: Reclaiming Indigenous Leadership
Warrior Women: Honoring Our Past, Strengthening Our FutureLead the Conversation: Facilitation Skills for Emerging Leaders
The Conversations We Carry: A Native Women's Talking Circle on Death, Dying, & What Matters
Sharing Your Story Through Podcasting
What is the Legacy We Want to Leave Behind?
Rooted In Place: Healing Through Land-Based Social and Emotional Learning
Bring Your Own Craft: Cultural Crafting
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.
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.
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.
