Native Governance Center is dedicated to assisting Native nations in strengthening their governance systems and capacity to exercise sovereignty. We’re working to cultivate a Native nation rebuilding movement so that all Indigenous people can thrive on their own terms. Learn more about our work on our website at NativeGov.org!
We’ve set a goal to raise $10,000 by May 29th for #NativeNonprofitDay.
This Spring, we’re celebrating #NativeNonprofitDay, and we’ve set a goal to raise $10,000 by May 29th. Native Nonprofit Day is a giving initiative that aims to increase support for Native-led organizations nationwide, such as the Native Governance Center.
Your support helps us provide:
✊🏽Free support for Native nations
📚Free public learning resources and educational opportunities
🌱All costs covered leadership training for grassroots Indigenous changemakers
Link in bio to donate!
#GiveNative #SupportNativeLed #SovereigntyMatters #FutureIsNative
We are thrilled to welcome the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska to join Cohort 3 of our Tribal Finance Program!
This 2-year, cohort-based program provides finance leaders with a financial assessment, training, resources, and executive coaching to enhance their nation's existing financial leadership and capacity.
We look forward to having the Ponca Tribe on this journey and can’t wait to learn from them and grow together.
We’re excited to announce the start of our #FutureIsNative campaign for #NativeNonprofitDay! We’ve set a goal to raise $10,000 by May 29th.
Spring is our busiest season: we're facilitating Tribal candidate forums for Native nations, hitting the road for in-person trainings with Rebuilders, offering webinars and trainings, convening with Tribal finance participants, and planning for the rest of the year with our goals in mind.
In 2026, we're bringing Tribal-governance-related programming to 10 Native nations, training a new cohort of Indigenous changemakers, welcoming our 3rd cohort of Native nations to strengthen their financial governance, offering a specialized governance certificate to Rebuilder alumni, and hosting several virtual discussions open to the public. We’re passionate about finding ways for everyone to get involved with issues related to sovereignty and nation rebuilding because we all have a role in building an Indigenized future.
Your support will help us sustain our momentum! #GiveNative #SupportNativeLed #SovereigntyMatters
Link to donate in our bio!
We want to uplift Michael Poitra (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians), a Cohort 14 Native Nation Rebuilder, and his work with the Ogimaawiwin Leadership Conference at Turtle Mountain College! As part of his Rebuilder community action plan, Michael focused on strengthening leadership development in his community and across Tribal Nations.
He shares, "One of my core goals was to establish a leadership conference that reflects the diverse priorities of Indian Country. This gathering brings that vision to life by creating a platform for meaningful dialogue across 8 key areas: Economic Development, Physical, Mental, and Public Health; Education; Governance; Criminal Justice; Culture and Social Justice; and Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. These efforts represent a commitment to developing informed, culturally grounded leaders who can address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing our nations today."
It aligns with broader program goals, including:
🎓Graduating strong cohorts of leaders (we will be celebrating our fourth!)
📚Creating impactful learning spaces
✨Continuing to build toward future initiatives
"None of this work would be possible without the support of Turtle Mountain College, which has provided me the trust and flexibility to develop and deliver this program. I am equally grateful for the encouragement of my community and family, whose support has been invaluable throughout this journey. Finally, I extend my sincere appreciation to NGC for providing the opportunity to help bring this vision to life."
Financial literacy is a cornerstone of strong governance and empowered communities.
Through our Tribal Finance resources, Native nations can access tools and real-world examples that help:
• Build confidence in understanding financial documents
• Strengthen financial systems and internal processes
• Support informed decision-making across leadership and staff
• Move from transparency to true accountability
From financial guides to case studies and trainings, these resources are designed to meet communities where they are.
Explore Tribal Finance resources: nativegov.org/resources
Rebuilder Alumni, this one is for you.
Take your leadership to the next level with the Certificate in Applied Tribal Sovereignty (CATS)—a hands-on, in-person training designed just for Rebuilders alumni ready to deepen their impact.
Join us this June in Duluth, MN for an immersive experience focused on strengthening Tribal governance, leadership, and nation rebuilding alongside fellow Rebuilders. This in partnership with the Tribal Sovereignty Institute.
✔ Full program + travel costs covered
✔ Learn from real-world case studies and practical application
✔ Build skills you can bring back to your Nation immediately
Spots are limited. Applications are open now. Learn more and get the link to apply in our bio!
Apply by April 28 at 5 PM CST. Link in our bio!
We’re proud to welcome Robert “Deuce” Larsen to the Native Governance Center Board of Directors.
A Lower Sioux Indian Community leader and former Tribal Council President, Deuce has been a strong supporter of this work for years. From participating in NGC programs to joining our first-ever Wings with Wayne episode, he’s been part of the circle long before stepping into this role.
You’ll probably recognize him by his leather vest and rider spirit, but it’s his commitment to community and tribal sovereignty that stands out most.
We’re excited for what’s ahead. Welcome, Deuce.
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for Caring for Our Relatives: Tribal Emergency Management.
This conversation brought together voices from across Indian Country to share how Native nations are strengthening emergency preparedness, protecting communities, and leading with care and responsibility.
Missed it or want to watch again? The full recording is now available on our YouTube channel.
#NativeGovernance #TribalEmergencyManagement #IndianCountry #CommunityPreparedness
Native Governance Center will be tabling at the 2026 Tribal Self-Governance Conference on April 7–9, 2026, at the Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino in Chandler, Arizona. Stop by to say hi, learn more about our programming, and meet Ashleigh and Michelle.
We look forward to learning, connecting, and seeing you there!
We would like to extend our heartfelt thank you to Megan Minoka Hill for her time serving as a Board of Director at Native Governance Center. Megan joined the Board in 2022 and has been a longtime advocate for not only NGC but for Native Nation Rebuilding across the country. We wish Megan all the best as she continues her work across Indian Country!
Pilamayaye/Miigwech/Yaw^ko•kiwah- Thank you!
Native Governance Center was proud to be part of RES 2026, connecting with leaders, community members, and partners from across Indian Country.
Over 2.5 days, we:
• Connected with 130+ individuals at our booth
• Engaged 80 attendees during our session on financial literacy
• Shared Tribal Finance resources with 49 QR scans and 130+ page views
Our session, “Empowering Citizens: Financial Literacy in Tribal Communities,” focused on how financial knowledge supports stronger governance, informed decision-making, and accountability within Native nations.
Beyond the numbers, what stood out most were the conversations about strengthening financial systems, supporting leadership, and creating tools that communities can use in real ways.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, connected with us, and continues this work in your communities.
#RES2026 #NativeGovernance #TribalFinance #NationBuilding #IndigenousLeadership
