2026 National Tribal Child Care Conference Call for Trainers

We are inviting interested presenters to submit brief descriptions of training sessions to be held at our 2026 National Tribal Child Care Conference. Our National Conference is the only national Tribal conference training for professionals in early care and education serving Tribal children, families, and communities. Our conferences bring together hundreds of professionals to learn and share ways in which we can elevate child care and build networks to support each other.

This year, our theme, "The Strength of Our Children, The Future of our Nations" speaks to the vital connection between the well-being of our youngest generations and the long-term health and sovereignty of our Tribal Nations. It recognizes that children are not only our most precious responsibility, but also our greatest source of strength. Their resilience, potential, and cultural inheritance are the foundation upon which our futures are built. When we nurture, uplift, and empower our children—through education, cultural teachings, and community support—we are not just helping them thrive individually; we are safeguarding the future of our languages, traditions, and self-determination. This theme is a reminder that the path forward for our Nations begins with how we honor and invest in our children today.

We are seeking trainers who recognize the vital role Tribal child care professionals play in cultivating courage and fostering resilience in our youth. Throughout this conference, we will explore innovative strategies for honoring our roots while nurturing the wings of our children.

The Pre-Conference will be September 13, 2026 and the main conference will be September 14-16, 2026, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, in Honolulu, Hawaii. All conference details can be found on the website.

We are inviting trainers and presenters to submit proposals for 60-minute sessions and 90-minute keynote sessions.

Topics should focus on areas of critical need for child care and early education, especially for Native people. These might include, but are not limited to:

Planning a safe and healthy learning environment,
Advancing child development,
Supporting child social and emotional wellbeing (including observations),
Building relationships with families,
Managing an effective program operation,
Maintaining a commitment to professionalism,
Ensuring the health and wellness of administrators, managers, directors, and staff,
Among many other possible areas.

Keynotes should be between 60-75 minutes. We welcome all keynotes that will highlight the opportunities to inspire, heal, and empower Tribal child care professionals.

All presenter and keynote submissions are due by March 31, 2026, however, decisions will be made on a rolling basis. We will select proposals that we feel align with our theme and/or the critical needs early care and education have in implementing their programs and services. If selected, your handouts and presentation materials will be due by August 21, 2026. Materials will be submitted online and a link will be provided if selected. If you have any questions about your submission, please contact Monica Pizano at Mpizano @nicca.us.

Please note: All selected speakers are required to register for the conference at the early bird rate—no exceptions. This registration covers full conference attendance, A/V support, and conference sponsored meals. There will be no waived fees, additional discounts, or day-rate options offered. Additionally, speakers are responsible for covering their own travel and lodging expenses, including airfare and hotel accommodations.

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