NIWRC Specialty Institute 2026: Full Schedule

7:00am EDT

Registration and Check-In

Tuesday July 28, 2026 7:00am - 9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

Cultural Welcoming & Opening

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am EDT

Grand Ballroom

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom

Plenary Session

9:30am EDT

Introductions and Housekeeping

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am EDT

Grand Ballroom

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am EDT
Grand Ballroom

Plenary Session

9:45am EDT

Keynote Address

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT

Grand Ballroom

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Grand Ballroom

Plenary Session

10:30am EDT

Break

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am EDT

Break

11:00am EDT

Corn Necklace Workshop: Honoring Tradition Through Hands-On Creativity

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Oak Room

Step into the rich traditions of Native American culture and discover the many remarkable ways corn has sustained Indigenous communities for generations. More than a staple food, corn has long been regarded as a sacred gift—providing nourishment, inspiring teachings, and demonstrating the importance of using every part of what the Creator provides.Participants will explore how Native peoples...
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Speakers

Sharon Berrun

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Oak Room

Wellness

11:00am EDT

Yoga: From Doing to Being: A Nervous System Reset

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Camellia Room

This 90-minute wellness experience invites participants to reconnect with themselves through movement, music, breath, and rest.We will begin with an accessible, feel good yoga practice set to a thoughtfully curated playlist featuring diverse musical influences. Through gentle movement, mindful stretching, and breathwork, participants will release tension, improve circulation, and create space...
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Speakers

Kierra Woods

Twisted Yogi

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Camellia Room

Wellness

12:30pm EDT

Building the Warrior Within: Empowerment Through Self-Defense and Prevention

Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

Camellia Room

Violence prevention begins with education, awareness, and empowerment. This interactive session explores how self-defense and personal safety education can serve as tools for building confidence, strengthening boundaries, and fostering resilience in individuals and communities. Participants will examine how movement-based learning and practical self-defense concepts can support prevention efforts...
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Speakers

Jessica D. Newton

Warrior Heart

Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Camellia Room

Wellness

12:30pm EDT

Plate Shattering: Intentional Somatic Release

Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

Camellia Room

In this immersive session participants will release what no longer serves them through intentional plate shattering. This empowering activity will deepen participants connection to self through personal reflection and mindful release. Please note closed toe shoes will be required to participate in this activity. Other safety equipment will be provided.

Speakers

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 →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Camellia Room

Wellness

2:00pm EDT

Cultivating Seeds of Healing - Session 1

Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Camellia Room

The Cultivating Seeds of Healing activity was developed to strengthen our interconnections of community and land, and how it can support strategies for healing. It is based on Indigenous teachings that understand healing as a reciprocal process between these interconnections and that we do not heal or grow alone; all living things depend on each other and land.

Speakers

Kim Zahne

Program Specialist, NIWRC

Kim Zahne or “Sah-Povi” is Tobacco clan (Sah-Towa/ Pipwungwa) from the Village of Tewa, and a member of the Hopi Tribe. Kim is currently the Program Specialist for the National Indigenous Resource Center. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in American Indian Studies, with an emphasis on Federal... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Camellia Room

Wellness

2:00pm EDT

Basket Weaving

Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Oak Room

Basketweaving as a form of connecting to Indigenous ancestry. Using your hands to make something, like a basket, can give a person a real sense of accomplishment. We will be making a crossbody gathering basket that can be used for a number of things, especially encouraging use as a vessel to gather more things that connect us to the earth. Connections can bring balance and healing.

Speakers

Cindy Locklear

As a child and young adult I found that I was drawn to using baskets for everything.
Picking berries or flowers, sorting vegetables, storing clothes and shoes and the more I
used them the more I wanted to learn. Almost like a bucket list item, but more intense,
and the hankering gre... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Oak Room

Wellness

3:30pm EDT

Cultivating Seeds of Healing - Session 2

Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT

Camellia Room

Speakers

Kim Zahne

Program Specialist, NIWRC

Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Camellia Room

Wellness

7:00am EDT

Morning Offering

Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am EDT

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, gear, and a water bottle.

Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am EDT

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,...
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Speakers

Jantzen Hale, MPH

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 →

Paloma Sánchez, MA, MSW

Director of National Training and Resources, NIWRC

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...
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Speakers

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

Break

11:30am EDT

Community-based Participatory Research and Tribal Leadership Engagement

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:30am - 11:45am EDT

Camellia Room

This session explores how community-based participatory research (CBPR) can provide a transformative framework for building effective partnerships between Tribal domestic violence programs and Tribal leaders. CBPR is a community centered research approach that builds the skills and capacities of community members through equitable long-term relationships built on a foundation of respect and...
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Speakers

Olivia Anderson

Research Associate, NIWRC

Olivia Anderson currently serves as a Research Associate for the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. Olivia is also pursuing a Masters of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, where she is studying women’s health and interdisciplinary research methods. As a Research Associate... Read More →

Paloma Sánchez, MA, MSW

Director of National Training and Resources, NIWRC

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:30am - 11:45am EDT
Camellia Room

Breakout Session

11:30am EDT

Making Your Work Make Sense: Communicating with Tribal Leadership Using Everyday Tools

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT

Oak Room

In this session, participants will learn how to clearly communicate program needs to Tribal leadership using tools they already use every day. Rather than simply sharing information, we will focus on how to communicate what’s happening, why it matters, and what support is needed. Attendees will leave with practical, easy-to-use approaches and a simple framework they can immediately apply in...
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Speakers

Miranda Raney

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Oak Room

Breakout Session

1:00pm EDT

Lunch

Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

On your own

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...
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Speakers

Paloma Sánchez, MA, MSW

Director of National Training and Resources, NIWRC

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

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

Break

3:45pm EDT

Networking Mixer

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:45pm - 5:00pm EDT

Plenary Session

7:00am EDT

Morning Offering

Thursday July 30, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am EDT

Wellness

9:00am EDT

Tribal Leadership Panel: Exploring Effective Practices for Engagement and Collaborative Solutions

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Connecting with tribal leaders is vital for uncovering effective strategies that boost community engagement and foster cooperative solutions to tackle domestic violence. These leaders bring invaluable firsthand experiences and showcase successful initiatives that have catalyzed significant change within their communities. Participants will gain insights into targeted practices that not only...
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Speakers

Nora Dial-Stanley

Chairperson, Guilford Native American Association

Vice Chief Pamela Young-Jacobs, BIS-APS

Chief Mission Officer, Boys and Girls Homes of NC

Pamela Young-Jacobs is a dedicated leader, advocate, and community servant who currently serves as Chief Mission Officer for Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina and as Vice Chief of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe. She is committed to advancing opportunities in education, economic development, and community wellness, with a strong focus on serving children, families, and tribal communities. Pamela holds an MBA from University of North Carolina... Read More →

Jantzen Hale, MPH

Program Specialist, NIWRC

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Plenary Session

10:30am EDT

Break

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am EDT

Break

11:00am EDT

Collaborative Frameworks with Tribal Leadership to Address Domestic Violence and MMIWR

Thursday July 30, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

The crises of domestic violence and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) are deeply interconnected and addressing them requires coordinated, community-driven approaches that include collaboration with Tribal leadership. This panel brings together advocates and subject matter experts to discuss strategies for building effective partnerships with Tribal leadership and...
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Speakers

Carmen O’Leary

Director, Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains

Carmen O’Leary is the Director of Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains. She is a citizen and a resident of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe where she has gathered her experience and expertise to develop programs that serve native women experiencing violence. Carmen is a trainer on advocacy... Read More →

Leanne Guy

Executive Director, Southwest Indigenous Women's Coalition

Leanne Guy is a citizen of the Navajo Nation and currently lives and works in the Phoenix area of Arizona. Leanne is the founding executive director of the Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition, the first statewide tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalition in Arizona. Prior... Read More →

Chantel Greene

Chief Executive Officer, Xexus Greene Energy LLC.

Chantel Greene is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Xexus Greene Energy LLC. 100% Native American and woman-owned consulting company, and Founder of Non-profit GreeneLife Philanthropic. President of Sidney Resource Corporation, a publicly traded company, and a Nez Perce Tribal Member... Read More →

Kim Zahne

Program Specialist, NIWRC

Thursday July 30, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Plenary Session

12:30pm EDT

Lunch

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

On your own

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

Break

2:00pm EDT

OVW Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation Preparation

Thursday July 30, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

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,...
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Speakers

Jantzen Hale, MPH

Program Specialist, NIWRC

Ryder Jiron

Policy Specialist, NIWRC

Thursday July 30, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session

2:00pm EDT

Visualizing Statistical Data to Engage Tribal Leadership

Thursday July 30, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

The purpose of this presentation is to provide insight into how cloud visual platforms can be leveraged to visualize data that has been collected in spreadsheets (such as Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable, etc) to effectively engage with Tribal leadership and communities. This presentation includes a live demonstration of taking data stored in a spreadsheet to diagram, depict, and create visuals in...
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Speakers

Celina Gutierrez

IT Support Tech, NIWRC

Thursday July 30, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Breakout Session

3:30pm EDT

Break

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Break

4:00pm EDT

Closing

Thursday July 30, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Plenary Session

7:00am EDT

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