SEATTLE — Native youth, elders, leaders and organizers from across Native country gathered for the 82nd annual National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) convention.
The November gathering focused on themes to “unite, amplify voices, and shape a powerful collective future.” NCAI, the largest tribal and political organization in the country, has represented tribal governments and Native peoples as a national voice in Washington, D.C., and globally since 1944.
NCAI Northwest Regional Vice President Leonard Forsman, who also serves as chairman of Suquamish Tribe, kicked off the week by welcoming attendees during the first general assembly.
Suquamish Tribe singers and hand drummers share songs during the first general assembly on Nov. 17, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Director, Larry Wright, Jr. speaks to the crowd of attendees during NCAI’s 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace which was held in Seattle from Nov. 16 – 21, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
L to R: Daniel Cordalis, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund, Michelle Bahnick, Wetland Biologist, Tulalip Tribes, and Leonard Fineday, Recording Secretary, National Congress of American Indians; Secretary/Treasurer, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, presented on tribal water issues during the first general assembly of the 82nd Annual NCAI Convention & Marketplace on Nov. 17, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, delivers the update from Native Women Leaders during the first general assembly on Nov. 17, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, Stephen Roe Lewis, joined the Tending the Digital Fire: AI, Sovereignty, and the Next Seven Generations panel, where they discussed data sovereignty and Artificial intelligence and more. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
NCAI President, Mark Macarro and Former Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, pose for their photo during the 82nd Annual NCAI Convention & Marketplace held in Seattle from Nov. 16-21, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Mark Cruz, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, delivers the HHS update during the first general assembly held on Nov. 17, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Karen Guise, Co-Vice President, NCAI Youth Commission and Wambli Quintana, Secretary, NCAI Youth Commission deliver the NCAI Youth Commission update during the second general assembly on Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News)
As an organization that advocates for tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, cultural preservation, and improved quality of life, this year’s conference focused on tribal economies, addiction, climate action, housing, agriculture and cannabis.
Leonard Fineday, recording secretary and secretary/treasurer for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, emphasized the inherent right of each tribe to determine their own legalization and regulations of cannabis within their territories and a resolution to call on the federal government and the various state governments to cooperate with each at the cannabis task force meeting. He said tribes like the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, which legalized medical marijuana this year, are leading the charge on reform.
Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis spoke with panelists: Geoffrey Blackwell, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Omaha, and Muscogee Creek, who is the NCAI general counsel and executive director for the NCAI’s Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty; Dr. Traci Morris, Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, executive director for the center and research professor at Arizona State University Law; and Michael Cruz, an AI specialist for Microsoft, on data sovereignty in the time of artificial intelligence.
One issue that the panel brought to attendees attention was the current administration’s attempts to keep states from setting their own guidelines and asking what it means for Indian Country.
Not everyone was interested in hearing what this panel had to share about AI. Protesters walked through chanting, “You can’t drink data!” and “The biggest lie is AI!”
Many of the panels brought critical issues to the forefront and created dialogue for strategies moving forward under the current administration.
“The relationship with the federal government is changing, to put it nicely,” Jake Robinson, vice president of economic development at Blue Stone, a company that focuses on strengthening tribal sovereignty.
Shaping collective future
Mark Macarro (center), was re-elected as 25th president of the National Congress of American Indians during the 82 Annual conference and marketplace held in Seattle Washington from November 16-21, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
The newly elected National Congress of American Indians executive committee pose for their photo after being sworn in during the final General Assembly of the annual NCAI Conference and Marketplace held in Seattle, Washington from November 16-21, 2025. L to R: Ashley Cornforth, Treasurer; Christie Modlin, Recording Secretary; Brian Weeden, 1st Vice President; and Mark Macarro, President. (Jarrette Werk/Underscore Native News) 
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe presented NCAI with a check for $100,000 for their annual sponsorship on Nov. 21, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Brandon Beach, U.S. Treasurer, spoke to attendees of the 82nd National Congress of American Indian Conference in Seattle, Washington on Nov. 17, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
NCAI Northwest Vice President, Leonard Forsman, who also serves as Chairman of Suquamish Tribe, welcomes more than 2,500 attendees to the 82nd Annual NCAI Convention & Marketplace during the first general assembly held on Nov. 17, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
At the 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace, NCAI brought together more than 2,500 Tribal and Native organization leaders, along with allies, to address vital priorities within Indian Country, collaborate on future strategies, and strengthen nation-to-nation partnerships. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News)
The organization’s election of its leadership had a consistent presence leading up to the election on Thursday Nov. 20 with passive and pointed mentions of the barriers Indian Country faces under the current administration.
“As I stand here looking out at all of you, I am reminded of our strength when we stand together as a unified voice on the issues and battlefronts that we face today in the Congress, in the courts, and at the ballot box,” Macarro said Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Mark Macarro, tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Indians from California, was re-elected as 25th president. Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Brian Weeden was also re-elected as the first vice president. Ashley Cornforth, the secretary and treasurer for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Minnesota, was elected treasurer, and Christie Modlin, secretary of the Iowa Tribe in Oklahoma, will serve as the new recording secretary.
Many new resolutions were passed, including a resolution calling for US Congress and White House to protect the treasury department’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. The fund is a U.S. Treasury Department program that invests federal funds and private capital to support economically disadvantaged communities which includes the Native American CDFI assistance program from termination and staffing cuts.
“Our unity is our strength,” said executive director of the National Indian Education Association, Jason Dropik, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, while addressing NCAI about the Department of Education shifts transferring 24 programs serving Indian Country to the Department of the Interior.
Walking through the convention attendees could bump shoulders with other political leaders like former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Laguna Pueblo, who is currently running for New Mexico governor.
But it wasn’t all planning and politics.
The Suquamish Tribe singers and hand drummers shared songs during the first day. The Nez Perce Tribe hosted a night of Indigenous Jazz & Soul and the second annual Netse Mot event – a Coast Salish phrase meaning “One Heart, One Mind” – was a beautiful showcase of Coast Salish culture.
Unity
The National Congress of American Indians held an honoring for past leaders during the second annual Netse Mot: One Heart | One Mind evening showcase on Nov. 18, 2025. Honorees included Mel Tonasket-Omak, W. Ron Allen, Brian Cladoosby, Fawn Sharp, the late-Joe De La Cruz, and the late-Earl Old Person. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
West Shore Canoe Family performed songs and dance during the second annual Netse Mot: One Hear | One Mind, event held in Seattle on Nov. 18, 2025. West Shore Canoe Family is led by Antone George of the Snoqualmie Tribe. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Diné jazz trumpet artist, composer and educator, Delbert Anderson accompanied by his Delbert Anderson Quartet, performed their Diné influenced jazz, funk and hip-hop songs during Netse Mot: One Heart | One Mind event on Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Opera singer Adia Bowen, Upper Skagit, performed for a packed Paramount Theater during the second annual Netse Mot: One Hear | One Mind, event held in Seattle on Nov. 18, 2025. Bowen is known for her rendition of the National Anthem at the Seattle Mariners Native American Night. She recently earned bachelor’s degrees in opera and American Indian studies from the University of Washington and is currently pursuing a master’s in opera. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Cree Confederation, the award-winning Pow-Wow group of Cree singers from Treaty Six areas in Canada, performed with Fawn Wood during the second annual Netse Mot: One Heart | One Mind event on Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Pow-Wow dancers took to the stage while Cree Confederation performed during the second annual Netse Mot: One Heart | One Mind event on Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Julian Brave NoiseCat, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, writer, champion powwow dancer, and student of Salish art and history, shared about his new book “We Survived the Night,” to the packed Paramount Theater during the second annual Netse Mot: One Heart | One Mind evening showcase on Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News) 
Juno Award-winning artist and musician, Fawn Wood, Saddle Lake First Nation, performs with Cree Confederacy during the Netse Mot: One Hear | One Mind, event held in Seattle on Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jarrette Werk, Underscore Native News)
Netse Mot featured the West Shore Canoe Family led by Antone George, Snoqualmie Tribe, Isaac Tonasket, a Colville and Spokane singer, songwriter, actor and director who blends contemporary originals with traditional chants and honor songs, and Upper Skagit opera singer Adia Bowen.
The evening was hosted by Dallas Goldtooth, Lower Sioux Indian Community, known for his role as William “Spirit” Knifeman on FX’s Reservation Dogs and with the comedy group 1491s and ended with a surprise wedding officiated by Goldtooth himself.
Fawn Wood, Saddle Lake First Nation, performed earlier that night along with Cree Confederacy. Her long-time fiancé and Cree singer and musician with the Cree Confederacy, Dallas Waskahat, were just as surprised as the rest of us in the crowd when Goldtooth revealed he could marry them.
The evening ended in laughter, and tears of joy from the crowd and those on stage.
This story is co-published by Underscore Native News and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, using our Republishing Guidelines.
