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NIWRC Specialty Institute 2026 has ended
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Wednesday, July 29
 

7:00am EDT

Morning Offering & Breakfast
Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:00am - 9:00am EDT
Prefunction Area
Greet the day with the NIWRC staff. During this time, we will meet in the hotel lobby at 6:45 am to begin a wellness walk/run to begin our day. Come join us. Please dress comfortably in appropriate walking/running shoes and gear, and a water bottle.
 
Start your day with a hearty breakfast and time to connect with fellow attendees before the morning sessions begin. Enjoy fresh fruit, bacon, eggs, breakfast potatoes, danishes, muffins, bagels (with a toaster available), juice, coffee, and a selection of hot teas.

The Upper Courtyard will be open with seating available if you would like to enjoy your breakfast outdoors, relax, or connect with colleagues before the day's programming begins.





Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:00am - 9:00am EDT
Prefunction Area
  Wellness

9:00am EDT

Engaging Tribal Leadership through Advocacy and Strategic Communication
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Camellia Room
This highly interactive workshop is designed to strengthen program staff's capacity to navigate leadership spaces with confidence and intention. Frequently, domestic violence program staff operate at the intersection of community responsibility, advocacy, and policy engagement. Within tribal communities, advocates are often called to communicate directly with tribal leadership, federal partners, and other partner organizations about the realities facing survivors and the systems aimed to support them. These conversations require the ability to communicate community needs clearly, strategically, and responsibly while promoting survivor confidentiality. 

This session will provide participants with the opportunity to explore how lived experiences, storytelling, and data can work together to communicate their communities' needs and inform policy decisions. Through a series of guided exercises, attendees will practice framing their experiences, articulating community challenges, and identifying clear requests that can be carried into briefings, tribal leadership meetings, consultations, legislative visitations, and other formal engagements. Additionally, it will introduce practical communication frameworks and grounding strategies to help advocates remain prepared, centered, and effective as they navigate high-stakes environments while continuing to uphold survivor-centered advocacy. 



Speakers
avatar for Jantzen Hale, MPP

Jantzen Hale, MPP

Program Specialist, NIWRC
Jantzen Hale, Diné, currently serves as a Program Specialist with the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. Previously, she worked with the National Congress of American Indians, supporting the development of communication strategies and sharing stories of impact and need about Tribal communities... Read More →
avatar for Paloma Sánchez, MA, MSW

Paloma Sánchez, MA, MSW

Director of National Training and Resources, NIWRC
Paloma Hąąpnąąžįwiiga Sánchez, MSW, MA (Ho-Chunk/Xicana Indígena), currently serves as the Director of National Training and Resources at the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. Paloma holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, where their studies focused on... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Camellia Room
  Breakout Session

9:00am EDT

Sustaining Safety: Funding Strategies to Strengthen Domestic Violence Response in Tribal Communities
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Oak Room
Participants will explore practical and sustainable funding strategies that strengthen domestic violence response in Tribal communities. This session will focus on how to build long-term support for survivor services, prevention, and community-based response efforts. Attendees will gain insight into aligning funding with program priorities, strengthening partnerships, and creating diversified revenue strategies that support stability, safety, and long-term impact.
Speakers
avatar for Cory Johnson

Cory Johnson

Development & Strategic Impact Officer, NIWRC


Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Oak Room
  Breakout Session

11:00am EDT

Break
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am EDT
Prefunction Area
Grab a cup of coffee or tea and take a moment to connect with fellow attendees. The Upper Courtyard is open throughout the break.
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am EDT
Prefunction Area
  Break

11:30am EDT

OVW Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation Preparation
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) invites you to join an informational session on the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation. This session will give Tribal leaders, designated representatives, and advocates the space to reflect on and develop recommendations to guide federal agencies on administering Tribal funds and programs, strengthening the safety of Native women, improving the federal response to violence, and expanding Tribal access to criminal justice systems. During this session, participants will learn about the purpose and significance of the OVW Tribal Consultation, including key policy areas like Tribal jurisdiction, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR), training and resources, research, and options for providing testimony (oral, written, or pre-recorded).

Preparing Tribal leadership for consultation is critical to ensuring testimony is survivor-focused and informed by the experiences of advocates and programs directly serving survivors in Tribal communities. This session will also highlight resources available through the NIWRC Consultation Hub to support Tribal leaders and advocates in preparing recommendations and engaging in the consultation process. 

Speakers
avatar for Jantzen Hale, MPP

Jantzen Hale, MPP

Program Specialist, NIWRC
Jantzen Hale, Diné, currently serves as a Program Specialist with the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. Previously, she worked with the National Congress of American Indians, supporting the development of communication strategies and sharing stories of impact and need about Tribal communities... Read More →
avatar for Ryder Jiron

Ryder Jiron

Policy Specialist, NIWRC


Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
  Breakout Session

1:00pm EDT

Lunch On Your Own
Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Lunch is on your own. Take time to enjoy a local meal and connect with colleagues before afternoon sessions.
Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
  Break

2:00pm EDT

Conversations with Community: Advocate Storytelling
Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Camellia Room
We invite Tribal domestic violence advocates, Tribal leaders, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) victim survivors to join us for an engaging session. This space is designed for open discussions where participants can share their personal stories and experiences. We will hold small group discussions to explore valuable lessons, challenges, successes, and the realities of victim survivors in Indian Country.

These discussions will help us develop important recommendations, identify key resource needs, and support the growth of Tribal domestic violence programs. By highlighting the voices of those who have experienced these challenges, this session aims to enhance understanding of the needs and successes of AI/AN victim survivors. Your participation will strengthen our commitment to addressing the needs of our communities.



Speakers
avatar for Paloma Sánchez, MA, MSW

Paloma Sánchez, MA, MSW

Director of National Training and Resources, NIWRC
Paloma Hąąpnąąžįwiiga Sánchez, MSW, MA (Ho-Chunk/Xicana Indígena), currently serves as the Director of National Training and Resources at the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. Paloma holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, where their studies focused on... Read More →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Camellia Room
  Breakout Session

2:00pm EDT

Legislative Update
Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Oak Room

Speakers
avatar for Kerri Colfer

Kerri Colfer

Director of Research and Policy, NIWRC


Wednesday July 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Oak Room
  Breakout Session

3:30pm EDT

Break
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:30pm - 3:45pm EDT
Prefunction Area
Recharge with coffee and tea before the afternoon continues. The Upper Courtyard is open if you'd like to step outside and visit with others.
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:30pm - 3:45pm EDT
Prefunction Area
  Break

3:45pm EDT

Networking Mixer
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:45pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
Connect with peers, local community leaders, and NIWRC staff to exchange ideas, share resources, discuss the day’s sessions, and forge collaborative partnerships in an engaging setting over light refreshments. Enjoy vegetable crudité with hummus, artisan cheeses, spinach and artichoke dip, meatballs, Carolina pork sliders, chicken satay, vegetable spring rolls, tomato mozzarella skewers, lemonade, and iced tea. The Upper Courtyard will remain open throughout the mixer.

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:45pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom
  Plenary Session
 

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