Native Wellness Institute's Adults Working With Native Youth Training | December 4-6, 2025
2025-12-04 - 2025-12-06 | Barbie’s Village, 935 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR, 97232, United States
Description: This training is for youth workers and others who serve youth who want to bring back more skills, information, techniques, and resources in order to better serve Native youth. A team of Native adults representing different tribal nations, all who utilize culture-based programming with their youth programs, will be the facilitators.
Ceremony, traditional games, healing processes, and more will be included in this highly interactive three-day training that will leave you changed in a good way and with a road map to bring this positive change back to your young people.​
Location: Barbie’s Village, 935 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97232
Registration fee: $399.00
Date and time: Thu, Dec 4, 2025 8:30 AM – Sat, Dec 6, 2025 5:00 PM PT
Register here

2026 CNAY Fellowship Cohort Application Open!
2025-12-04 - 2026-01-14
The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute is excited to announce that applications for the 2026 CNAY Fellowship cohorts are now open! They are accepting applications for Brave Heart, Remembering Our Sisters and the California Native Youth Collective through January 14.
What is the CNAY Fellowship?
A program for aspiring Native youth leaders (18-24) looking to make an impact in their communities. CNAY provides tailored leadership & advocacy trainings, unique opportunities for intergenerational education & knowledge sharing, and funding to complete a community action project of Fellows’ choosing.
CNAY supports youth-led change through promotion of policy change and a culturally-grounded curriculum – inclusive of trainings pertaining to sovereignty & governance, financial literacy, media and more. While all 2026 Fellows will engage in shared, core programming, the bulk of their fellowship will be divided into three distinct cohorts, each focused on a different issue area: Brave Heart, Remembering Our Sisters & CA Native Youth Collective (learn more below).
How Can I Apply?
If you know someone who might make a good candidate, send them to the CNAY website to learn more & apply!
To be considered, self-identified Native & Indigenous youth* must respond to two short answer questions and submit a video response for the cohort you are applying for. Applicants must submit their materials via the 2024 CNAY Fellowship Application no later than January 14, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
*Ages 18-24, living in the United States. See additional eligibility requirements for each cohort in the descriptions below.

Native Wellness Institute's Healthy Relationships Training | December 16-17, 2025
2025-12-16 - 2025-12-17
For over a decade, the Native Wellness Institute has been providing training on Healthy Relationships to communities across Indian Country. This two-day program is designed for adults who seek to enhance their understanding of healthy relationships, as well as staff and workers who provide healthy relationships education and workshops to community members. Additionally, the training is ideal for anyone who is interested in taking the Healthy Relationships Training of Trainers course to become a certified trainer of the curriculum. This online training will serve as a great introduction to the curriculum.
During the training, participants will learn about and engage in NWI’s Healthy Relationships curriculum that covers the essential elements of healthy relationships, as well as additional topics. The training will involve a combination of listening, learning, sharing, and engaging in dialogue with others.
Registration Fee: $249
Location: Virtual event
Date and time: Tue, Dec 16, 2025 9:00 AM – Wed, Dec 17, 2025 5:00 PM PT
Register here

UNITY Midyear Conference | January 17-19, 2026
2026-01-17 - 2026-01-19
The 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference will be on “Collective Impact: Building Power Through Purpose.” This three-day leadership experience will offer immersive training in community organizing and youth council development, equipping participants with tools to create meaningful change in their communities. Youth will engage in hands-on training centered around asset mapping, interactive team-building, and Indigenous leadership practices. They’ll explore how to identify local strengths, work collaboratively, and lead effectively as part of a UNITY Youth Council.
The 2026 Midyear curriculum will guide participants in creating a 10-Step Action Plan for a future community service project addressing one of four critical areas: Mental Health & Wellness, Social Justice, Cultural Revitalization, or Climate Action. These action plans will empower youth to return home ready to organize, inspire, and lead with purpose.
Register here.

TYRC Online Learning Event: Integrating Mental Health and Wellness in Tribal Youth Delinquency Prevention Efforts | January 21, 2026
2026-01-21 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Denver)
Description: This webinar focuses on promoting mental health in remote Tribal communities with limited resources. The session will explore tribally informed approaches, community-based strategies, and practical tools to bridge gaps in mental health access and care. By strengthening mental health support systems early and within the community, these approaches can play a critical role in preventing juvenile involvement in the justice system.
REGISTER HERE

TYRC Public Online Learning Event: Youth Healing to Wellness Courts 101 | January 22, 2026
2026-01-22 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Denver)
Description: This online learning event will provide an introduction to the Youth Healing to Wellness Court (YHWC) model, which serves as an intervention for Tribal/County court-involved youth experiencing alcohol and/or other substance use.

REGISTER HERE

TYRC January Talking Circle: Walking Together: Responsibility, Healing, and Systems Change
2026-01-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
The January TYRC Talking Circle will bring together Tribal Youth and Youth Healing to Wellness Court programs to share in a discussion on the topics of Native youth accountability, healing, and cultural safety strategies within their programs. Participants will explore how their program services and practices support youth and their families in navigating justice systems more effectively, reducing youth involvement in the juvenile justice system.
This talking circle is for OJJDP Tribal Youth and Youth Healing to Wellness Court grantees only. If you are a grantee and would like to register, please email TribalYouth@tlpi.org.

NICWA January 2026 Training Institute | January 27-29, 2026
2026-01-27 08:30 - 2026-01-29 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Morongo Casino, Resort, and Spa, 49500 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA, 92230
Join NICWA in Palm Springs at the Morongo Resort in Cabazon, California in January. There are three trainings to choose from: Positive Indian Parenting, Foundations of Tribal Child Welfare Casework Practice or Tribal Customary Adoption (2-days only).
Training will start at 8:30 a.m. on January 27 and end by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29. (Please note, Tribal Customary Adoption is only two days long and will end on Wednesday, January 28 by 5:00 p.m.)
Visit www.nicwa.org/training to find more information.

TYRC Online Learning Event: Planning for a Youth Healing to Wellness Court Public | January 29, 2026
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Denver)
Description: This online learning event will overview the key components, tasks, and timelines for planning a Youth Healing to Wellness Court (YHWC) which serves as an intervention for Tribal/County court-involved youth experiencing alcohol and/or substance use.
REGISTER HERE

Native Wellness Institute's Adults Working with Native Youth Training | February 3-4, 2026
2026-02-03 - 2026-02-04
One of NWI’s main areas of focus is working with Native youth. This two-day interactive training will include lessons learned over the decades of best practices in working with Native youth. NWI’s Native Youth Leadership curriculum lessons will be used as the foundation of the training. Opportunities to learn and share from each other and a great time will be had. Intended for those who work with youth in any capacity.
Registration fee: $249.00
Register here

NCAI Native Youth Leadership Summit | February 9-12, 2026
2026-02-09 - 2026-02-12
The NCAI Youth Commission will host the Native Youth Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., on February 9–12, 2026. Open to Native youth ages 14–24, the Summit offers an immersive, hands-on leadership and advocacy training experience.
The program includes the State of Indian Nations address, advocacy skills training, applied practice sessions, and culminates in youth-led visits to congressional offices on Capitol Hill on February 12. Hill Visits are the central purpose of this year’s Summit, giving participants a direct opportunity to meet with their members of Congress.
Sign-ups will open soon. Youth planning to participate in Hill Visits must register by January 23. Tribal youth groups are welcome.
For more information, contact Alison Black, Youth Leadership & Training Coordinator, NCAI.

CNAY 2026 Champions for Change Panel Discussion | February 10, 2026
2026-02-10 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
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.
Register here

NCJFCJ | National Conference on Juvenile Justice | March 15-18, 2026
2026-03-15 - 2026-03-18
Registration is now open for the for the 2026 National Conference on Juvenile Justice taking place March 15 – 18, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. The conference will feature amazing presentations on current and cutting edge topics that will inspire you, broaden your knowledge, and provoke discussions about issues facing the juvenile and family court system.
For 88 years, the NCJFCJ has led systems to change by embracing the values of Compassion, Leadership, Education, and Community through our network of more than 30,000 juvenile and family court professionals who share in the mission of this organization.
There will be plenary and breakout sessions on juvenile justice, trafficking, child welfare, court best practices, and innovative solutions. These are just some of the educational offerings of the 2026 National Conference on Juvenile Justice.
Register here.

NICWA's 44th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference | March 29-April 1, 2026
2026-03-29 00:00 - 2026-04-01 00:00 (America/Chicago)
National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is honored to host our 44th annual conference this year in Oklahoma City; a premier national event is home to the largest national gathering on Native child welfare and advocacy issues. Join 2,000 attendees for the three-day conference March 29–April 1, 2026; together work, listen, and celebrate one another to amplify what defines who we are.
For more information and to register, click here!

May Talking Circle: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Youth in Urban and Reservation Communities | May 26, 2026
2026-05-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
Description: The Tribal Youth Justice Resource Center will convene a virtual Talking Circle for OJJDP Youth Healing to Wellness Courts & Tribal Youth Program grantees on the critical topic of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Youth in urban and Native communities. Statistics surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous youth are alarming. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, thousands of children go missing each year, with many cases tragically ending in violence. Indigenous youth are disproportionately affected. The emotional, social, and physical toll on families and communities impacted by missing and murdered Indigenous youth is immeasurable.
Date: May 26, 2026
Time: 11 am PT/ 12 pm MT/ 1 pm CT/ 2 pm ET
Duration: 60 minutes
Facilitators: Guadalupe Lopez, Stephanie Autumn
This event is open to OJJDP Grantees only. Please email TribalYouth@tlpi.org if you are a grantee who would like to register.

Grantee Portal 101: Navigating TYJRC'S Resource Hub | June 1, 2026
2026-06-01 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Denver)
Description: The Tribal Youth Resource Center (TYRC) Grantee Portal is a centralized resource hub designed to support OJJDP Tribal Grantees at every stage of their work — from planning and implementation to long-term sustainability. Available through the TYJRC website (www.TribalYouth.org), the Grantee Portal offers access to a wide range of tools, resources, and learning materials, while also fostering connection among Tribal Youth Program and Youth Healing to Wellness Courts funded by OJJDP. This online learning event will provide a guided overview of the Grantee Portal, including how to access and navigate the platform, explore available resources, and make the most of its features to support your program goals.
Date: June 1, 2026
Time: 12:30pm PT / 1:30pm MT / 2:30pm CT / 3:30pm ET
Facilitators: Laura Smith, Hannah Ellman
Duration: 75 minutes
This event is for OJJDP grantees only. If you would like a link to register, please email TribalYouth@tlpi.org.

UNITY National Conference | July 10-14, 2026
2026-07-10 - 2026-07-14
The National UNITY Conference, is an impactful five-day youth-led annual event held every July.
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.
Register here.
