Native Fashion and Sovereignty
2023-03-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Native-owned fashion brands are on the rise. More and more Native designers are receiving long-deserved international attention for their work while continuing to push back against the fashion industry’s history of cultural appropriation, racism, and exclusion.
Join us for Native Fashion and Sovereignty to explore how authentic Native fashion contributes to Native narrative change. We’ll share how you can support Native designers and artists, and we’ll also examine how Native nations are using their sovereignty to protect Native designs while advancing economic development through fashion.

NGC at Forum on Workplace Inclusion
2023-03-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN, 55403, United States
Native Governance Center staff are delivering a presentation, “So You’ve Written A Land Acknowledgment: Now What?”, at the 2023 Forum on Workplace Inclusion conference in Minneapolis, MN. If you plan to attend the conference, we encourage you to join us for our presentation. The presentation is scheduled for 2:00-3:00 PM CT on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

NGC at MNACPA Spring Conference
2023-03-31 13:30 - 14:30 | University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, 120 Pillsbury Hall, 310 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States
The Native Governance Center team is presenting on Beyond Land Acknowledgment at the MNACPA’s spring 2023 conference. If you’re at the conference, come check out our session!

NGC at Reservation Economic Summit
2023-04-03 - 2023-04-06 | Caesars Palace, 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89109, United States
Native Governance Center is bringing a cohort of Tribal finance changemakers to the 2023 Reservation Economic Summit as part of the Tribal Finance Pilot Program. If you plan to attend RES, send us a note: we’d love to meet up!

NGC at MIEA
2023-04-20 10:00 - 11:45 | Mystic Lake Event Center, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, MN, 55372, United States
Native Governance Center staff are presenting on “How to Talk about Native Nations” at the 2023 MIEA Conference at Mystic Lake Event Center. We’ll also be tabling to share information about our programs. Are you attending MIEA? We’d love to see you at our table, our presentation, or both!

Sovereignty Sidequest
2023-04-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Instagram Live
Calling all nerds! We’re going on a sidequest with our pal Dallas Goldtooth (featured in FX’s award-winning show, Reservation Dogs) to talk about sovereignty. Join us live on Friday, April 28 from 7:00-9:00 PM CT to watch Dallas and our executive director Wayne Ducheneaux II play a few of their favorite video games while chatting about important things happening in Indian Country. Do you have a question for Dallas or Wayne? During Sovereignty Sidequest, we’ll be taking audience questions, so make sure to tune in! We’ll be streaming Sovereignty Sidequest across multiple platforms live on April 28. Be on the lookout for more information on how you can join. Shout-out to Delaena Rae Uses Knife for creating the artwork for our series!

Minnesota Aurora FC Home Opener
2023-05-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Twin Cities Orthopedic Stadium, 2600 Vikings Circle, Eagan, MN, 55121, United States
Native Governance Center is tabling at the MN Aurora FC’s home opener on May 24, 2023: stop by and say hello to our team!

Patagonia St. Paul Run and Film Night
2023-06-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Patagonia St. Paul, 1648 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55104, United States
Join us at Patagonia St. Paul’s Run and Film Night on June 2! The evening will begin with a short run/walk and snacks from Pow Wow Grounds. Two films featuring Indigenous athletes will be screened, followed by Q&A with the directors and featured athletes:

Run to be Visible
Know to Run: Yatika

Native Governance Center will be tabling along with A Mile in my Shoes, ReNew Earth Running, and Rising Hearts. Stop by and say hello!
Free registration is required on Patagonia St. Paul’s event page.

NCAI Mid-Year Convention
2023-06-05 15:00 - 2023-06-07 18:00 | Mystic Lake Event Center, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, MN, 55372, United States
Join us at the 2023 NCAI Mid-Year Convention at Mystic Lake Center: we’ll be tabling in the marketplace. Come say hello!

Niniijaanis Art Market
2023-06-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Flava Cafe, 623 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN, 55104, United States
Join us at the Niniijaanis Art Market at Flava Cafe: we’ll be tabling in the Native-made marketplace and sharing information on our next cohort of Native Nation Rebuilders. Applications open soon. Come say Boozhoo, Háŋ, Hello!

Land Rush to Land Back: Legacies of Allotment and Indigenous Resistance
2023-06-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Many Native nations control just a small percentage of their original land base. Rather than Tribal governments and individual Tribal citizens stewarding and carrying out their vision for the land, we instead see big ag, vacation home owners, the United States Forest Service, and others making decisions. How did this happen?
The United States Government stole more than 90 million acres of Indigenous land during the Allotment Era. In Land Rush to Land Back, we’ll examine allotment’s history and modern-day implications for Native nations. We’ll also highlight ongoing Indigenous resistance and the strategies Native nations are using to fight back.
Event schedule

12:00 PM: Welcome + event basics
12:15 PM: Panel discussion
12:45 PM: Q&A
1:00 PM: Event concludes

Register to reserve your spot in the Zoom webinar today. The webinar will also be broacast on Facebook Live. This event will be closed captioned.
Event host and panelists:

Host: Dr. Twyla Baker (MHA Nation)
Panelists:

Cris Stainbrook (Oglala Lakota)
Adam Savariego (Upper Sioux Dakota)
Darelynn Lehto (Prairie Island Dakota)

Sponsors: Anderson Realty, APi Group, Woodlands National Bank, STAIGER | VITELLI and Associates LLC, University of St. Thomas

Netroots Nation
2023-07-15 14:30 - 15:30 | Hilton Chicago, 720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
Join us at Netroots Nation in Chicago for our session on Beyond Land Acknowledgment. Session description:
After hearing a land acknowledgment statement, do you ever find yourself asking, “Now what?” Land acknowledgment is growing in popularity, yet it often functions as optical allyship. Since releasing a guide to land acknowledgment in 2019, Native Governance Center (NGC) has received hundreds of inquiries from people wanting help. Most of these inquiries have focused on verbiage, rather than action steps for supporting Indigenous communities. In response, NGC created a new action-planning approach. In this session, you’ll learn why land acknowledgment can be problematic. You’ll engage in small and large group activities to learn how to design meaningful action steps. Finally, you’ll have a chance to begin creating your own action plan.

Become a Rebuilder!
2023-07-26 08:00 - 2023-10-02 17:00
We’re excited to announce the opening of the application period for Cohort 13 of our Native Nation Rebuilders program. Join the nation rebuilding movement! Click the button below to read about requirements, important dates, and the application process.

Deadline to apply is Monday, October 2nd 5:00 PM Central Time.
Become A Rebuilder

Rebuilders Photo Session
2023-08-10 17:00 - 18:30 | Jay Cooke State Park, Jay Cooke Park Office, 780 MN-210, Carlton, MN, 55718, United States
We’re organizing a photo session at Jay Cooke State Park for Rebuilders from all cohorts!
On Thursday, August 10, we’ll meet at the park office starting at 5:00 PM to catch up, take photos with photographer Nina Francine (Cherokee), and share a meal together. Attendees will receive a boxed dinner from Northern Waters Smokehaus and high-quality digital photos as a thank-you for participating!
We still have space available: email rebuilders@nativegov.org to join us!

Leadership Development Team at Grand Portage Pow Wow
2023-08-11 10:00 - 2023-08-12 21:00 | Grand Portage Pow Wow Grounds, 4 Eliza Rd., Grand Portage, MN, 55605, United States
Our leadership development team is headed to the Grand Portage Pow Wow! Look for them on Friday, August 11 and Saturday August, 12. They’ll be visiting with folks and answering questions about the Rebuilders program–they also have a giveaway!

State Fair: Indigenous Peoples' Day
2023-08-27 09:00 - 18:00 | Dan Patch Park, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States
Are you planning to attend the Minnesota State Fair this year? In between all of those cheese curds, midway rides, and pronto pups, stop by our booth on Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Fair!
We’ll be tabling in Dan Patch Park (right outside of the grandstand) with other Indigenous organizations on August 27, 2023 from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. We’re grateful to NĀTIFS Indigenous Food Lab for hosting the event: this year’s theme is environmental and food justice for Indigenous people in Mni Sota Makoce.

Rebuilders C13 Ask Us Anything Hours
2023-08-29 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-09-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Do you have questions for our team about applying for Rebuilders Cohort 13? Are you considering filling out an application but don’t know if becoming a Rebuilder is right for you?
This year, we’re hosting new “ask us anything” drop-in Zoom sessions! The sessions are informal, fun opportunities to connect with our program staff to learn more. To get the link to join, message us on social media (@nativegov) us or email rebuilders@nativegov.org.

UTTC Tribal Leaders Summit
2023-09-05 - 2023-09-07 | Bismarck Event Center, 315 S 5th St, Bismarck, ND, 58504, United States
Our leadership development team is tabling at the United Tribes Technical College Tribal Leaders Summit. The Summit runs from September 5-7, 2023 at the Bismarck Event Center. Stop by our booth to learn more about our programming and/or to ask questions about applying for Rebuilders Cohort 13!

MCN Annual Conference
2023-09-20 12:30 - 13:30 | Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN, 55802, United States
The NGC team is presenting at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ Annual Conference again this year! Stop by our breakout session, “How to Talk about Native Nations,” to learn helpful tips for respectfully referring to Native people and nations. Our session will take place on Wednesday, September 20 from 12:30-1:30 PM (room TBA) at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. See you there!

TikTok and Sovereignty
2023-09-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Indigenous content creators are using TikTok to raise awareness about Tribal sovereignty and advance narrative change. During TikTok and Sovereignty, we’ll hear from several Indigenous content creators about their real-life experiences using the platform to educate and activate. The event will explore why Indigenous content creators are using TikTok, strategies for achieving meaningful engagement, and the future of the platform as a space to transmit Indigenous knowledge and build Indigenous power.

Indigenous People’s Weekend Basketball Expo
2023-10-07 - 2023-10-08 | Harding High School, 1540 6th St E, St. Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Join us during the Indigenous People’s Weekend Basketball Expo in St. Paul, MN! We’ll have a table set up during the event. See you there!

NGC at Owamni Falling Water Festival
2023-10-07 13:00 - 17:00 | Mill Ruins Park, Water Works and Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, 102 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55401, United States
Native Governance Center is tabling at the Owamni Falling Water Festival on Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. Stop by our table, and check out the ~50 other Indigenous vendors and music. Indigenous food options will also be available. See you there!

Rebuilding Native Nations Lunch and Learn: A Taste of Rebuilding
2023-10-26 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
Are you a Native leader looking to create change in your community? Do you want to better understand how strong Tribal governance structures can benefit your nation? Join us to learn about Native nation rebuilding and how the rebuilding principles can benefit you in your current role, your community, and your nation.
This event is open to all enrolled citizens of Native nations sharing geography with the United States, in addition to descendants of those nations. Register here to receive a Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/bdzmdjxh

Give to the Max Day 2023
2023-11-01 00:00 - 2023-11-16 23:59
Our Give to the Max Day 2023 theme is “Where’s Wayne: A Marvelous Meeting of Relatives.” We’re putting an Indigenous twist on Where’s Waldo and hosting a whirlwind tour showcasing Indigenous innovation!
Each day, we’ll feature new examples of sovereignty in action and ask our audience to test their knowledge by guessing where we are. We’ve set our executive director, Wayne, up with a full Waldo outfit. We’re sending him off to various locations around our region. And we have some Waldo lookalikes lined up as well. Follow us on social media to learn about Indigenous leadership during the month of November!
The funds we raise during GTMD are crucial for sustaining our work with grassroots Indigenous leaders. For example, we recently finished recruiting applicants for our next cohort of Native Nation Rebuilders. Our applicant pool is the largest and most diverse we’ve seen in years. We’re about to launch a new Tribal Civics cohort and begin action planning workshops with nations participating in our Indigenous Leaders in Governance program. NGC recently won the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ Mission Award for Anti-Racism Initiative. And, our new episode of Wings with Wayne featuring Dallas Goldtooth is approaching 100,000 views.
Can we count on you to help us meet our goal of $35,000? Donate here from 11/1/2023-11/16/2023. Reach out to lauren@nativegov.org if you’re interested in making a matching gift, serving as a social media ambassador, or hosting your own mini digital fundraiser to support our campaign.
Original artwork created for our campaign by Vikki Claire (Gun Lake Tribe).

NGC at Lakota Nation Invitational
2023-12-13 - 2023-12-16 | Barnett Arena, 444 Mt. Rushmore Rd N., Rapid City, South Dakota, 57701
Our Tribal Governance Support Program Manager, Michaela, will be at the Lakota Nation Invitational in Rapid City, SD on December 13th-16th. The Lakota Nation Invitational is a major gathering and a chance for Indigenous young people to compete in basketball, wrestling, cheerleading, and other events.
Come find our booth in the Barnett Arena, say hello, and learn more about our programming. Can’t find us? Reach out to Michaela directly to find a time to connect: michaela@nativegov.org.

Tribal Leaders Dinner
2024-01-10 16:00 - 18:00 | RedRossa Italian Grill, 808 West Sioux Ave, Suite #200, Pierre, SD, 57501, United States
Join us for a Tribal leaders dinner coinciding with South Dakota’s State Tribal Relations Day 2024! We’ll share more about the various ways Native Governance Center supports Tribal leaders while learning more about leaders’ needs. The dinner will take place at RedRossa Italian Grille in Pierre: we’re excited to connect!
Are you an elected Tribal leader interested in attending? Please email Michaela Madrid, NGC Tribal Governance Support Program Manager, to RSVP: michaela@nativegov.org.

NGC at NCAI Executive Winter Session
2024-02-12 - 2024-02-15 | Westin Washington, DC Downtown, 999 9th Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Our Tribal Governance Support team will be attending the NCAI executive winter session from February 12-15, 2024. The event will take place at the Westin Washington, DC Downtown. If you’re planning to attend, let us know. Michaela and Michelle would love to connect! They’ll be attending the Great Lakes and Great Plains caucuses, in addition to the State of Indian Nations Address. Send us an email: michaela@nativegov.org.
More information from NCAI: “The 2024 Executive Council Winter Session is the annual meeting of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Council, one of NCAI’s three main governing bodies. This meeting presents an opportunity for Tribal delegates to hear from members of Congress and the Administration and helps to further the government-to-government relationship between Tribal Nations and the federal government.”

RES 2024: Find us at the Reservation Economic Summit
2024-03-11 - 2024-03-14 | Caesars Palace, 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89109, United States
Our team is attending the 2024 Reservation Economic Summit (RES) from March 11-14, 2024. The 2024 Summit will take place in Las Vegas, NV at Caesars Palace.
We’ll be presenting and exhibiting at RES, so you’ll have multiple opportunities to connect with us:

Join us for our session presentation, “Rebuilding Tribal Finance: An Innovative Approach to Strengthening Tribal Finance Leadership & Capacity,” on Tuesday, March 12 from 2:00-2:50 PM. Danielle Gangelhoff and Michaela Madrid from NGC’s Tribal Finance team will be presenting.
Find our booth at the RES Trade Show: We’ll share information about our Tribal Finance resources, in addition to our full set of program offerings.

We hope to see you at RES!

Partnering with Native Nations in a Good Way
2024-03-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Are you interested in collaborating with Native nations but don’t know where to start? Or, do you have an existing partnership and want to learn how to be a better relative?
Join us to learn best practices from Indigenous leaders working in a variety of sectors. Attendees will come away with an understanding of how to partner with Native nations in a good way and tools for taking action.
Event schedule

12:00 PM: Welcome + event basics
12:15 PM: Panel discussion
12:45 PM: Q&A
1:00 PM: Event concludes

Register to reserve your spot in the Zoom webinar. This event will be closed captioned.
