Tribal Youth Justice Resource Center

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.
