Smart Health Access: The Rise of Wellness Vending Machines
2026-01-29 14:00 - 14:45 (America/New_York)
January 29, 2026 | 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. ET

Smart Health Access: The Rise of Wellness Vending Machines
What if getting Narcan or a hygiene kit was as simple as using an ATM?
With American Indian and Alaska Native people experiencing one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the U.S., Urban Indian communities are installing Wellness Vending Machines that provide free, anonymous access to Narcan, fentanyl test strips, condoms, hygiene kits, smudge kits, Plan B, and needle exchange supplies. These machines expand access, reduce stigma, and empower individuals to manage their health on their own terms bridging service gaps and promoting safer, healthier outcomes for all.
Presenters:

Johnny Delgado, BAIHP
Dr. Ashleigh Herrera, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, California State University, Bakersfield

Objectives:

Learn how medical vending machines work and how they’re being used to expand access to care, reduce stigma, and serve as tools for prevention.
Identify the steps and partnerships to implement this model in urban Indigenous communities
Discuss how low-barrier innovations like vending machines can support prevention, wellness, and outreach efforts.

Audience:

UIO ED/CEOs
UIO Staff
Tribal Partners and Tribes

Innovating Through Storytelling: Health Campaigns in the Digital Age
2026-02-26 14:00 - 14:45
February 26, 2026 | 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. ET

Innovating Through Storytelling: Health Campaigns in the Digital Age
This session is the final learning opportunity in our Community of Learning (COL) Series: Navigating the Future of Health Care. Grounded in innovation and community-centered practice, this session explores how storytelling can be used to co-create health campaigns with community rather than delivering messages to them. Participants will gain practical strategies for meaningfully engaging community voices throughout campaign design and implementation, and learn how to select digital platforms and impact measures that prioritize trust, engagement, and real-world impact over one-way information sharing.
Presenters:

Lyz Best, Manager of Technical Assistance, NCUIH
River Carroll, Policy and Events Communications Associate, NCUIH

Learning Objectives:

Use story mapping to co-create health campaigns with community members, centering lived experience and cultural values.
Identify practical strategies for meaningfully involving community voices throughout the design and implementation of health campaigns.
Select appropriate digital platforms and impact measures that reflect community engagement, trust, and real-world outcomes.

Audience:

UIO ED/CEOs
UIO Staff
Tribal Partners and Tribes

NCUIH Testifies Before Congress This Week on Native Health Priorities
2026-03-17 13:00 - 17:00
March 17, 2026 | 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET
The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) will testify before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies during the American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness hearings. These hearings inform federal funding decisions that affect Native health programs nationwide.
What
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies – American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness
Day 1, Afternoon Session
When
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
NCUIH Board President‑Elect Robyn Sunday‑Allen is currently scheduled to testify at approximately 2:10 PM ET.
Please note: Testimony times may change based on the flow of the hearing and external factors.
Where
Livestream (public)
The livestream page also includes links to written testimony and the list of witnesses.
https://appropriations.house.gov/schedule/hearings/interior-environment-and-related-agencies-american-indian-and-alaska-native

Rethinking Nutrition: Why Traditional Foods Matter in Wellness and Beyond
2026-03-26 14:00 - 15:00
March 26, 2026 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Despite the critical role nutrition plays in preventing and managing chronic disease, it is often inconsistently addressed in clinical care. This webinar explores how traditional foods and culturally grounded wellness practices can support whole-person health for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Designed for healthcare teams and community-based providers, the session highlights the connection between food as medicine, cultural knowledge, and improved health outcomes, while offering practical, respectful ways to integrate nutrition and holistic health conversations into clinical visits and community programs to promote healing, connection, and long-term wellness.
Presenters:

Nahla Holland, Senior Research Associate, NCUIH, Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation
Lyz Best, Manager of Technical Assistance, NCUIH

Objectives:

Explain the connection between traditional foods, food as medicine, and improved health outcomes.
Learn practical ways to integrate nutrition conversations and traditional food practices into clinical visits and community programs. Holistic approaches to health conversations.
Identify approaches for using nutrition to strengthen community connection, promote healing, and support long-term wellness.

Audience:

UIO ED/CEOs
UIO Staff
Tribal Partners and Tribes

Continuing Nursing Education (CNE)
Cardea Services is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.​​​
Upon successful completion of this activity 1.0 contact hours will be awarded.

Continuing Medical Education (CME)
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the California Medical Association (CMA) through the joint providership of Cardea and National Council of Urban Indian Health. Cardea is accredited by the CMA to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Cardea designates this live event for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Successful completion of this continuing education activity includes the following:

Attending the entire CE activity
Completing the online evaluation
Submitting an online CE Request

Strengthening Vaccine Confidence in Native Communities: Peer-to-Peer Support Session
2026-04-15 14:00 - 14:30
April 15, 2026 | 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET

Peer-to-Peer Support Session
NCUIH will host a Community of Learning session titled Strengthening Vaccine Confidence in Native Communities: Peer-to-Peer Support Session on April 15, 2026, from 2:00–2:30 PM ET.
This 30-minute interactive session will provide an open forum for Urban Indian Organization staff and immunization professionals to connect, share updates, and engage in peer-to-peer discussion about immunization practices. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss recent vaccine guidance, exchange strategies for strengthening vaccine programs, and share challenges and best practices with colleagues serving Native communities. Anonymous discussion submissions will also be available to encourage open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
The session will feature Alyssa Smith-Longee, MPH, BSN, RN, CPN (Assiniboine/Sioux – Fort Peck), who will help guide the discussion and facilitate peer exchange.
Participants will:

Discuss updates related to vaccines and immunization guidance
Engage in peer dialogue around program challenges, best practices, and communication approaches
Share resources that support vaccine programs serving Native communities

Urban Indian Organization staff are encouraged to attend and participate in this collaborative discussion.

NCUIH 2026 Annual Conference
2026-04-27 - 2026-04-30 | The Westin Downtown, 999 9th St NW, Washington, DC, DC, 20001, United States
April 27-April 30, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

2026 NCUIH Annual Conference: Celebrating 50 Years of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act

The NCUIH Annual Conference will take place April 27–30, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
This year’s conference commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), highlighting five decades of progress, collaboration, and continued commitment to Native health.
We look forward to convening Urban Indian Organizations, health care professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates to discuss critical issues related to urban Indian health.

Monday, April 27: Training for Urban Indian Organization Boards of Directors
Tuesday and Wednesday, April 28 – 29: Conference Programming
Thursday, April 30: Hill Day

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact conference organizers at conference@ncuih.org.

Strengthening Vaccine Confidence in Native Communities: Listening Back and Looking Forward
2026-06-17 14:00 - 14:45
June 17, 2026 | 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. ET

Listening Back and Looking Forward
NCUIH will host a Community of Learning session titled Strengthening Vaccine Confidence in Native Communities: Listening Back and Looking Forward on June 17, 2026, from 2:00–2:45 p.m. ET.
This 45-minute session closes the four-part Strengthening Vaccine Confidence in Native Communities series by reflecting on key lessons learned and best practices shared throughout the collaborative. Participants will engage in facilitated discussion and an open forum to share priorities, strategies, and next steps in their immunization efforts. Anonymous dialogue submissions will be available to encourage open exchange and peer-supported problem-solving.
The session will feature Alyssa Smith-Longee, MPH, BSN, RN, Certified Pediatric Nurse (Assiniboine/Sioux – Fort Peck), who will guide reflection and facilitate discussion.
Participants will:

Discuss key lessons learned and best practices shared throughout the Community of Learning series
Review how social media toolkits can support community engagement and outreach efforts
Explore opportunities for peer learning, collaboration, and support in ongoing immunization efforts

Urban Indian Organization staff and leadership are encouraged to attend and participate in this closing session.

NCUIH UIO Focus Groups: Setting Policy Priorities for 2027
2026-09-01 13:00 - 2026-09-03 14:00
September 1-3, 2026
We are excited to announce our upcoming virtual web series, “NCUIH UIO Focus Groups: Setting Policy Priorities for 2027.” This engaging event will offer a unique platform for collaborative dialogue between NCUIH staff and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). Together, we will delve into the heart of urban Native health initiatives, discussing the vital priorities shaping our efforts in 2027. The focus groups will also provide an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the achievements and challenges of 2026, fostering a deeper understanding of the progress made and the areas that require further attention. Participants will be encouraged to share their personal experiences, insights, and feedback, ensuring that the perspectives of our UIO partners play a pivotal role in shaping the path forward. This inclusive gathering promises to harness the collective wisdom of our community, driving impactful decisions that resonate across urban Indian health initiatives.
Invitations will be sent directly to UIO partners to encourage broad participation and meaningful engagement in these discussions.

Presenter:

Jeremy Grabiner, NCUIH, Associate Director of Policy

Objectives:

Discuss policy priorities for 2027.
Review accomplishments and challenges in 2026.
Provide an opportunity to give candid feedback about any other experiences.

Date
EVENT

September 1, 2026

Full Ambulatory | 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET

Outpatient and Residential | 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET

September 2, 2026

Limited Ambulatory | 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET

Outreach and Referral | 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET

September 3, 2026
Make-Up Session | 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET

UIO Listening Session – IHS Division of Behavioral Health
2026-09-17 13:00 - 14:00
September 17, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
The purpose of this session is to foster open dialogue and mutual understanding between the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). It aims to provide DBH leadership with an opportunity to share updates, priorities, and perspectives, while also hearing directly from UIOs about their needs, challenges, and priorities. The session is designed to support relationship-building, inform future collaboration, and help align efforts to improve behavioral health outcomes for urban Indian communities.
Presenters:

Dr. Glorinda Segay, IHS DBH** (subject to change)
Alex Sampson, NCUIH

Audience:

UIO ED/CEOs
UIO Staff

2027 NCUIH Annual Conference
2027-05-03 - 2027-05-06 | The Westin Downtown, 999 9th St NW, Washington, DC, DC, 20001, United States
May 3-May 6, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

2027 NCUIH Annual Conference

The NCUIH Annual Conference will take place May 3–6, 2027 in Washington, D.C.
We look forward to convening Urban Indian Organizations, health care professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates to discuss critical issues related to urban Indian health.

Monday, May 3: Training for Urban Indian Organization Boards of Directors
Tuesday and Wednesday, May 4 – May 5: Conference Programming
Thursday, May 6: Hill Day
Note: Hill Visits are for IHS UIOs only and will require pre-registration.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact conference organizers at conference@ncuih.org.
