Native Governance Center

Become a Rebuilder AMA Information Session
2025-09-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | SD
These virtual sessions provide a high-level overview about the Native Nation Rebuilders program and how to apply. Ask us about program details, the application process, or for help applying.

A Constellation of Leaders: Celebrating 10 Years of Native Governance Center
2025-10-24 08:00 - 2025-10-25 15:00 | InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront, 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN, 55101, United States
We are A Constellation of Leaders
​​​​2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Native Governance Center’s founding. We’re celebrating our decade of life-changing programming, regional and national outreach, free-to-the-public educational offerings, and more.
In Indigenous star knowledge, the stars are our ancestors, our guides, and our teachers. They form constellations that reflect our sacred landscapes, our governance, and our way of life. Just as the stars are interconnected, so too are the leaders of Indian Country—shining brightly, guiding our people, and shaping the future together.
The event will convene Native leaders from across Mni Sota Makoce, North Dakota, and South Dakota, including past participants in our Leadership Development, Tribal Governance Support, and Tribal Finance programs. In addition to further fostering the friendships and networks that strengthen Indian Country, the celebration will feature talks where we will explore new trends and triumphs in the Native nation rebuilding movement.
Register today!

Online – Beyond Learning from Place: Featuring Native Governance Center
2025-11-13 12:30 - 15:00 | SD
Beyond Learning from Place: Action Planning and Engagement for Accomplices
Native Governance Center is proud to partner with the Minnesota Humanities Center to offer a Beyond Learning from Place online workshop designed to deepen understanding and inspire meaningful action.
This interactive session—Action Planning and Engagement for Accomplices—invites participants to move from awareness to action by building authentic, respectful relationships with Native Nations. Together, we’ll explore NGC’s action planning framework, a practical tool to help individuals and organizations create thoughtful next steps for engaging with Native communities.
Participants will learn how to prepare themselves and understand proper protocol before forming partnerships, while also gaining insights that can be applied to collaboration with other communities. Expect real-life examples, open discussion, and guidance in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment.
Learning OutcomesParticipants will:

Learn how to approach partnerships with Native Nations through an informed, respectful lens
Develop personal or organizational action steps using NGC’s action planning framework.
Exchange ideas and inspiration with fellow learners to refine their plans.

Presenters:

Cree Rose Dueker (Chippewa Cree Tribe), Program Manager for Community Engagement
Jessica Glidden (Boise Forte Band of Chippewa), Program Manager for Leadership Development

Educators: K–12 teachers are eligible to receive 2.5 clock hours.
Learn more and register through the Minnesota Humanities Center →

NGC at MIEA
2026-03-17 - 2026-03-20 | Mystic Lake Event Center, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, MN, 55372, United States
Native Governance Center program staff are tabling and presenting at the Minnesota Indian Education Association (MIEA) annual conference. Stop by our booth to say hello!
Tabling: March 17-20, 2026 (conference exhibitor hours)

NGC Presenting at RES 2026
2026-03-23 - 2026-03-26 | Caesars Palace, 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89109, United States
Native Governance Center will be attending and presenting at the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) from March 23-26, 2026, in Las Vegas. Join our session and stop by to visit our booth and say hello!
Presentation: Empowering Citizens: Financial Literacy in Tribal Communities

When: 10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. PDT, Thursday, March 26th
Where: Milano Ballroom I at Caesar’s Palace
Session Description: Financial literacy is a cornerstone of strong governance, civic engagement, and empowered citizens. Nearly all Native nations have boards, commissions, and governmental positions where financial knowledge is essential for effective decision-making and accountability. When community members and tribal government employees have tools to understand financial documents and principles, they’re better equipped to provide meaningful engagement, feedback, and oversight. Financial literacy helps shift from having transparency to true accountability. Ultimately, strengthening self-determination and effective governance. Using case studies from Native nations with successful financial literacy programs, we’ll share key strategies, challenges, and culturally grounded approaches to community financial education.

NGC at Native Land Conference 2026
2026-03-24 - 2026-03-25 | Mystic Lake Event Center, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, MN, 55372, United States
Native Governance Center will be attending Indian Land Tenure Foundation’s first Native Land Conference from March 24-25, 2026 at Mystic Lake Event Center. Stop by to visit our booth and say hello!
The Native Land Conference, presented by Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF), will bring together Tribal leaders, land office staff, tribal landowners, Native advocates, educators, and allies from across Indian Country. Together, we’ll engage in meaningful dialogue and collaborative learning, rooted in ILTF’s mission to support American Indian Nations in reclaiming and controlling their rightful homelands through four primary strategies: Education, Cultural Awareness, Economic Opportunity, and Legal Reform.

Caring for our Relatives: Tribal Emergency Management Webinar
2026-04-01 11:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
Join us for a webinar on Tribal Emergency Management. Together, we’ll explore how Native nations strengthen preparedness and coordinate effective responses during severe weather events. Featuring speakers from a variety of roles in Tribal emergency management, the conversation will offer insight for Native leaders, Tribal citizens, and allies on Tribal crises and how Native nations respond.
Schedule

11:00 AM: Welcome + event basics
11:10 AM: Panel discussion
11:55 AM: Q&A
12:30 PM: Event concludes

Register today to reserve your spot in this free Zoom webinar! This event will be closed captioned.
Meet the Speakers
Ferin Davis Anderson, Moderator
Ferin Davis Anderson is an environmental scientist and an enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa / Ojibwe / Anishinaabe / Mitchifs in North Dakota. She works as the Supervisor of Environmental Sciences for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s Land and Natural Resources Department, where she is responsible for stewarding and restoring natural areas for the SMSC.
Ferin weaves traditional knowledge and western science together to make more holistic management decisions, including using fire as an ecological and cultural tool to achieve beneficial and healing outcomes. Witnessing Indigenous people revitalize and reconnect with this practice has been one of the greatest gifts of her career.
Jim Pearson, Panelist
Jim has had the privilege of working as the Sisseton emergency manager for 13 years and worked for FEMA as a Disaster Assistance employee and a Community Relations Officer. During that time, he worked with Disaster Declarations in North Dakota flooding, Colorado wildfires, and earthquake disasters in California.
Jim is a former Mayor of Sisseton, SD from 1996 – 2001, and was on the city council for six years prior to being elected Mayor. From 2003 to 2019, Jim was a high school golf coach. He has a small vineyard in his backyard with 250 plants and 6 different grape varieties and enjoys attending as many of his grandchildren’s activities as he can.
Jesse Big Crow, Panelist
Jesse Big Crow is the Planning & Coordination Specialist for the Oglala Sioux Tribe Emergency Management.

NGC at Tribal Self-Governance Conference 2026
2026-04-07 - 2026-04-09 | Gila River Wild Horse Pass Casino Resort, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ, 85226, United States
Native Governance Center will be attending the Tribal Self-Governance Conference from April 7-9, 2026 at Gila River Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino. Stop by to visit our booth and say hello!
