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2026 Indigenous Peoples Summit


The 2026 Indigenous Peoples Summit will be held September 110-12, 2026 in Omaha, Nebraska (Ancestral Land of the Umonhon Nation).


The Summit is convened to commemorate the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) on September 13, 2007.

The Summit serves as a platform to advance the implementation of Indigenous rights, particularly the right to self-determination and self-government, as affirmed in UNDRIP.

The Summit is grounded in the methodology of Native Nations Rebuilding (NNR), developed by the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona. This approach emphasizes sovereignty, institution-building, strategic direction, and culturally aligned governance as the foundation for sustainable economic and community development.

Building on the 2025 Indigenous Peoples Summit Outcome Document, which established a Memorandum of Understanding among Indigenous governments, organizations, and partners, the 2026 Summit represents a transition from vision to implementation. Additionally, this event serves as a celebration of Indigenous cultures from across Turtle Island.

We unite in solidarity for Sacred Connections: Indigenous Wisdom, Food Sovereignty, and Cultivating Collective Liberation.


Location for both days (including dinner):

  Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement 1115 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68102

¤ Summit Day 0: Thursday, September 10, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  (Slosburg Family Hall, 3rd Floor)
Summit Day 1: Friday, September 11, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Event Hall, 2nd Floor)
¤ Summit Dinner: Friday, September 11, 2026 - 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Event Hall, 2nd Floor)
¤ Summit Day 2: Saturday, September 12, 2026 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Event Hall, 2nd Floor)


Paper copies of full schedule with content listing and speaker/presenter order will be avaialbe onsite at the Summit.

Music provided by Omaha Whitetail

Your attendance wil support our mission and ensure proper witness of this important work.

Registration open through Saturday. This event is open to all. Indigenous People may register through a "Pay What You Can" Ticket.

Focus
This event aims to highlight the importance of Indigenous Peoples as strategic alliances in finding the solution to the local-global problem of climate change and food sovereignty we face as a human family.
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2026 Summit Vision
The primary objective of the 2026 Indigenous Peoples Summit is to build upon the 2025 Indigenous Peoples Summit Outcome Document by moving from shared commitments to collective implementation.

The Summit will serve as the Annual Assembly of Indigenous Nations and Partners to honor agreements, strengthen relationships, and carry forward shared work rooted in Indigenous self-determination.

Parking Options

Attendees of the 2026 Summit may park at nearby parking garages in Downtown Omaha.

Parking fees range from $1 - $10+ per day.

Attendees with ADA requirements may park at 1115 Dodge Street (Tenaska Center) on the Ground Level for free (with placard).

The 2026 Indigenous Peoples Summit will take place at the brand-new Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement, which is located in a busy urban area. Therefore parking garages will be necessary for guests who arrive by car.

Below is a list of parking lot options within walking distance of the Center. ADA parking information is available onsite and that information is listed below these non-ADA parking options.


  • "Park One" - 1516 Douglas St. - $1.00/hr with a $10.00 max
  • "Park Eight" (available after 5:00 pm) 1215 Capitol Ave - $1.00 flat rate paid at the kiosk during entry if no attendant is present
  • "Park Six" - 321 N 17th St - $1.00/hr with a $10.00 max
  • "Interstate Two" (surface lot) - 1604 Chicago St. - $0.50/hr, no max
  • "Mercantile" - 899 Farnam St. - $1.00/hr with a $10.00 max


ADA Parking Options at/near 1115 Dodge Street

  • 2+ zones (purple meters) - first two hours free before a payment needs to be provided with a valid ADA placard visible
  • 3+ zones (orange meters) - first three hours free before a payment needs to be provided with a valid ADA placard visible
  • E zone (green meters) - all day free with a valid ADA placard visible


ADA Parking Contact:
Alexis Dragon, CPP, Account Specialist Supervisor
402-444-PARK(7275) // 402-444-19
Out-of-town guests: Where to Stay

Embassy Suites - Downtown Omaha



Summit Schedule

Thursday, September 10
Slosburg Family Hall, 3rd Floor- Tenaska Center
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Welcome Dinner

Friday, September 11
Event Hall, 2nd Floor - Tenaska Center


8:00 a.m. - Registration
9:00 a.m. - Summit Day #1 Begins
12:00 noon - Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Summit Afternoon Sessions
6:00 p.m. - Summit Concludes for the Day

6:30 p.m. - Summit Dinner

9:00 p.m. - Dinner Concludes

Saturday, September 12
Event Hall, 2nd Floor - Tenaska Center

8:00 a.m. - Registration
9:00 a.m. - Summit Day #2 Begins
12:00 noon - Summit Day #2 concludes


Event Planning Committee

PRESIDING COUNCIL


  • Dr. Joseph K. Austin, Esq. (Navajo Nation), Austin Law Office, The ACES School
  • Brandon Cobb (Citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma), The Nature Conservancy
  • Jacob Davis, MPH (Citizen of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Nation), Native Governance Center
  • Nathan Galaviz, Agrarian Trust
  • Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin (Maya), Regenerative Agriculture Alliance
  • Aletha Kuhn, Omaha Performing Arts
  • Luis Marcos (Q’anjob’al Maya); Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim
  • Dr. Rudi Mitchell (Umonhon), Ambassador to the Maya Nation
  • John Pappan (Umonhon),The River Sidon Peace with Justice Project
  • Ilse Ramirez (Q’anjob’al Maya), Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim
  • Timothy Rhodd (Iowa Tribe of KS & NE), USHANA NAWE, LLC
  • Nathaniel Ruleaux (Oglala Lakota)
  • Renee Sans Souci (Umonhon), Educational Consultant
  • Chef Anthony Warrior (Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma), NE Indian Community College


COMMITTEE MEMBERS


  • Jill Wells, The Nature Conservancy
  • Jenny E. Fimbres-Gonzalez, Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim
  • Colleen Hanley, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
  • Tim Pendrell, Community Ally



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Thank you to our 2026 Committed Sponsors
Douglas County Visitors Improvement Fund
The Nature Conservancy
ACLU Nebraska
Verdis Group
Regenerative Agriculture Alliance
Regenerate Nebraska
David Pantos, Esq.

Welcomne Dinner Sponsors
Appsky
Larissa Schultz
Senator Ashlei Spivey

Indigenous Peoples Summit