21st Annual Native Women’s Leadership Forum
Native Action Network will host our 21st Annual Native Women’s Leadership Forum October 23-24th at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort. The Native Women's Leadership Forum is an annual event filled with workshops, keynote speakers, panels, and intergenerational connection. 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.
We’re please to announce this year’s keynote speakers for our Youth Recognition Breakfast and our Enduring Spirit Honoring Luncheon. Joining us for our Youth Recognition Keynote Address is Tesla Wolfe. She played the lead in a Caesars Palace commercial 2023. She travels the U.S. as a model walking for many Indigenous designers. Tesla was an actress on the hit series Yellowstone. She played lead actress named Harriett in the TV pilot called "Oklahoma Dreamin'" and Lead Female Actress, Dancer & Choreographer in feature film called "Features". She is the face of N8iv Beauty products. Tesla just finished touring as an actress for the role of "Frenchie" in the Native American Musical "Bear Grease". She recently booked a leading female role in the movie The Craftsman of Jamestown. Set to film in 2025. Co-Produced FNX Red Carpet Gala 2025 Stay Tuned to see Tesla's life story and upcoming stardom on TV Show "This Is Indian Country" 2025 On FNX Network.
Our Enduring Spirit Honoring Luncheon Keynote features Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez (Blackfeet). Debora Juarez has built a 35-year career focused on legal advocacy and economic development for the most marginalized communities in our state. As an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation and one of six children born to a Native American mother and a first-generation Mexican-American father, she was the first Indigenous woman to hold the position of Seattle City Council President in the City’s 154-year history.
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 23, 2025; 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.
Hotel Rooms are available at the room block rate of $179 + tax. Please let the operator know you are attending the Native Women's Leadership Forum to get the conference rate. Call 1-800-804-4944 to make your reservation. The room block deadline is October 8, 2025.
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.
