NICCA at NCAI: Standing Strong for Our Children and Cultures
- Oct 22
- 2 min read
This November, the National Indian Child Care Association (NICCA) will proudly take the
stage at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Annual Convention, in Seattle, Washington, for its 82nd Annual Convention & Marketplace from November 16 - 21, 2025, at the Seattle Convention Center. NICCA will be there to uplift and strengthen the voice of Tribal child care. Through both a main stage address and an in-depth breakout session, NICCA will highlight how Tribal early childhood programs continue to stand as powerful pillars of sovereignty, culture, and community.
Tribal child care programs—funded through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)—embody the strength of sovereignty in action.
These programs support family stability, cultural preservation, and Tribal self-determination while responding to the unique needs of Native communities.
In this address, NICCA will share how Tribal Nations are standing united for their youngest citizens through CCDF, and how NICCA continues to advance solidarity among Tribes through advocacy, resources, and shared vision. Even amid national uncertainty, CCDF remains a powerful and flexible tool—one that allows Tribes to lead, care, and thrive together.
This main stage appearance underscores NICCA’s ongoing commitment to elevate Tribal child care as a central part of Tribal sovereignty and the future strength of our Nations.
Breakout Session: Weaving Native Cultures into Curriculum: Standing Strong in Tradition, Learning, and Identity
📅 Thursday, November 20 | 4:15–5:45 p.m.
This session invites educators, curriculum developers, and early learning providers to explore culturally grounded strategies for honoring and integrating Native cultures into everyday teaching. Rooted in sovereignty, solidarity, and cultural continuity, this workshop will share how Tribal stories, traditions, and artistry—such as Cherokee and Choctaw stickball or traditional pottery and basket weaving—can be woven into classroom themes like “Balls” or “Clothing.”
Participants will receive curated book lists, adaptable classroom activities, and practical tools for creating environments that affirm Native identity and foster a strong sense of belonging. By centering cultural knowledge in the classroom, educators help preserve and pass on the traditions that unite Tribal Nations across generations.
Continuing the Work Together
At NCAI, NICCA stands with Tribal leaders, educators, and families to affirm what we already know—the strength of our children is the strength of our Nations. Through child care, curriculum, and community, we continue to build the foundation for a thriving future grounded in sovereignty and solidarity.
