Tribal Nations Gather in Seattle for NCAI’s 82nd Annual Convention

November 21, 2025

CPAO/GRIN

SEATTLE, Wash. — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) concluded its 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace on November 21, 2025, after six days of policy discussions, cultural exchange, and leadership elections at the Seattle Convention Center.

More than 2,400 Tribal leaders, Native youth, advocates, and federal partners attended the gathering, which is considered one of the largest annual events in Indian Country. Plenary sessions featured dialogue with federal officials, while workshops addressed issues including land stewardship, climate action, healthcare access, violence against women, Native languages, and economic development.

The Marketplace drew significant attention, with Native artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations presenting their work. Attendees described it as both a cultural showcase and a networking hub, highlighting the economic opportunities within Tribal communities.

Running alongside the main convention, the Native Youth Convention offered leadership training, cultural programming, and policy discussions for young participants. Organizers emphasized the importance of youth voices in shaping the future of Tribal nations, underscoring NCAI’s commitment to intergenerational leadership.

Elections were a central feature of the week. Registered members cast ballots to select new NCAI leadership, setting the organization’s course for the coming years. The process reinforced NCAI’s role as a representative body accountable to Tribal nations.

By the close of the convention, participants left with renewed energy and a unified vision. The Seattle gathering reaffirmed NCAI’s position as a cornerstone of advocacy, collaboration, and sovereignty defense, strengthening nation-to-nation relationships and amplifying the voices of Indian Country.