This week, NICCA joined Tribal leaders, state leadership, and education partners at New Mexico’s Government-to-Government Indian Education Summit to discuss the future of Native education and early childhood systems. As states across the country look for ways to better support Native children and families, New Mexico is emerging as a national example of what becomes possible when investment, flexibility, and government-to-government partnership come together intentionally.

The Caddo Nation Child Care Center stands as a declaration of resilience and self-determination—combining culturally rooted design, environmental stewardship, and community vision to support Native children and families.

Explore how Tribal child care programs are transforming early learning with culture, innovation, and sovereign leadership.

New Mexico is making history as the first state in the nation to offer no-cost universal child care for all families—regardless of income—beginning November 1. This groundbreaking investment will save families an average of $12,000 per child each year and strengthen the early childhood workforce through higher wages, expanded access, and targeted growth for infant and toddler care. By centering equity, community, and sustainability, NM is setting a new national standard for w

NICCA will be at the NCAI 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace in Seattle, November 16–21, 2025. While there, we invite Tribal child care and early learning leaders to share their stories with us as part of Connecting Our Programs: A Living Resource of Tribal Stories and Strategies. This is your opportunity to uplift your community’s voice, highlight your program’s strengths, and contribute to a resource that celebrates the diversity and resilience of Tribal child care across

Join us at the 2025 Annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention at the Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage, AK. The event will be held on October 16-18, 2025 and is free for the public.