Strength in Connection: NICCA's New Identity
Today, NICCA is introducing a new identity.
The work of Tribal child care has always been about connection. Tribal child care leaders, early childhood professionals, Tribal leaders, and partners are each doing something distinct, and each holds the authority, culture, and priorities of their own Nation. Together, they create something stronger and more complete. We wanted our identity to say that clearly.
What the mark means
We call the new mark Strength in Connection.
The circle represents a sense of connection without sameness. Individual forms remain distinct, yet together they create something stronger: a national community that respects that every Tribal Nation holds its own culture, priorities, and sovereign authority.
The center is the purpose at the heart of our work: Native children, families, and the Tribal Nations that care for them. Everything in the mark extends from that center and remains connected to it, just as NICCA's work should always stay rooted in the people and communities we exist to serve.
The radiating lines move through a warm gradient from deep magenta through coral to gold. No two lines are the same, yet all grow from the same source with shared purpose. That movement reflects information sharing, advocacy, and learning moving outward into policy and systems conversations, and resources and learning moving back into communities.
The variation within the circle honors both continuity and innovation. It creates space for new ideas, stronger systems, and Tribal-led approaches to early care and education without implying that every path must look the same.
What this means
The new identity reflects what NICCA already is: the national voice, resource, and community for Tribal child care. It does not change our mission or our commitments. NICCA does not exist to make Tribal child care uniform or to become the authority over it. We exist to connect distinct Tribal Nations and programs and to strengthen our collective ability to advocate, learn, lead, and expand what is possible for Native children and future generations.
What you'll see
You'll begin seeing the new look on our website, social channels, and email starting today. Over the coming weeks and months, you'll see it in our trainings, technical assistance resources, policy materials, and at our events.
Nothing about how to reach us has changed. You can still find us at our usual handles, just with a new look:
📬 585 Wyandotte Avenue, #380, Ramona, OK 74061
Thank you
This identity belongs to the Tribal child care community, and it was shaped by the people who lead it. Our Executive Board and team led the charge, and their insight and guidance brought us to this design.
We are deeply grateful to Jill Neumeister (Pawnee) and the team at Orca Design Group for bringing it to life. Jill is a citizen of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma and the founder of Orca Design Group, a Native-owned and woman-owned agency in Gig Harbor, Washington, established in 1993. Their work is grounded in reciprocity and in the belief that a community's control over its own story is an expression of sovereignty, which is the spirit in which we hope this identity will be carried forward. Jill's passion for storytelling through imagery showed in every step of the process, and the journey we took together was a beautiful one.
Learn more about Orca Design Group at orcadesigngroup.com.
Share your reaction
We'd like to hear what the mark means to you. Tell us at support@nicca.us, or share your thoughts with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Questions about using the new logo? Contact support@nicca.us.
