NCUIH

NCUIH Testifies Before Congress This Week on Native Health Priorities
2026-03-17 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
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.
