Tribal Leaders Summit & Trade Show

The 29th Annual Tribal Leaders Summit & Trade Show, themed "Many Nations, One Drum", will be held September 9-10, 2026 at the Bismarck Event Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. The event is organized by United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) and forms part of UTTC Events Week, which also includes the United Tribes International Powwow and the Legends Softball tournament.

Day 1 - Wednesday, September 9: The event starts at 8:00 AM with breakfast (7:30-8:30 AM) and an opening plenary session in Hall A (8:30-9:50 AM). Conference tracks run from 10:55 AM to 5:00 PM across eight topic areas: economic development, health, education, governance, criminal justice, culture, social justice, and agriculture/food sovereignty. The trade show is open 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM in Hall B, followed by a social hour with hors d'oeuvres and door prizes (5:00-6:00 PM) and a fashion show open to the public at 6:00 PM featuring designer Tyler Rambeau of NIYE.

Day 2 - Thursday, September 10: Keynote presentations by Jamie Azure and Marisa Cummings (legislative update on the Commission on Native Children) take place 8:30-9:50 AM in Hall A, with session tracks running 9:55 AM - 5:00 PM. The trade show is open 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and the event concludes with a closing ceremony at 3:00-4:00 PM.

Registration: Full Conference Pass $500 (includes conference bag, name tag, program, luncheon passes and admission to the United Tribes Technical College International Powwow); Trade Show Vendor booth $475 (includes 2 conference registrations, for information and craft vendors); Single Day Pass $300; Student Pass $150 (valid student ID required); Elder Pass free for attendees 65 and older. On-site registration hours: Tuesday, September 8, 1:00-5:00 PM; Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Check payments are directed to the United Tribes Technical College Finance Department, 3315 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504.