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2026 North Dakota Indian Education Summit — 12th Annual NDIES

July 28 @ 8:00 am - July 29 @ 5:00 pm

$55.20
2026 North Dakota Indian Education Summit
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI), Office of Indian/Multicultural Education,
and the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission are pleased to present the
12th Annual North Dakota Indian Education Summit (NDIES).This two-day professional development event is open to North Dakota educators and educators in training.
The Summit is designed to share best practices, strengthen cultural understanding, and support excellence
in Indian education across schools, communities, and Tribal partnerships.

Event Details

  • Dates: Tuesday, July 28 – Wednesday, July 29, 2026
  • Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day (CDT)
  • Check-in: Opens Tuesday at 7:45 AM; welcome and introductions begin at 8:30 AM
  • Location: North Dakota State Capitol
    600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505
  • Capacity: Limited to the first 200 registrants
  • Registration: Online registration and credit card payment required

What Registration Includes

Registration includes two full days of learning, networking, and Summit programming:

  • Dynamic keynote addresses
  • Educational breakout sessions
  • Cultural and student presentations
  • Continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks
  • Handouts and resource materials
  • Product vendor and information exhibitor booths
  • Door prizes and networking opportunities
  • Certificate of attendance for registered attendees

Please note: Single-day, student, and group rates are not available. Lodging is not included
and is not arranged by Summit staff.

2026 Registration Fees

Registration Type Dates / Details Fee
Early Bird Attendee Registration April 6 – May 16 $175
Attendee Registration May 17 – June 30 $200
Late Attendee Registration July 1 – July 20 $250
Product Vendor 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, both days $100
Informational Exhibitor 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, both days $50
Additional Meal Package For booth staff assisting a registered vendor or exhibitor $50
Presenter Registration Approved presenters only Free

On-site registrations will not be accepted. All registration payments must be made online
by credit card at the time of registration. Cash and check payments are no longer accepted.

Keynote Addresses

  • Martin Sensmeier — Actor, producer, and youth advocate
  • Educating American Indian Students: Communicating, Caring, Connecting
    Nadine Groenig, Owner/CEO, Sun Clan Consulting

General Sessions

  • Infinite Campus Update — Steve Snow, Systems Integration Specialist, NDDPI
  • Human-Shaped Learning and Indigenous Wisdom: Remembering How Humans Learn
    Dr. Scott Simpson and Sharla Steever, Compass Partners in Learning

Cultural & Student Presentations

  • Darren Thompson — Ojibwe musician
  • Youth speaker presentation

Breakout Session Topics

Breakout sessions are expected to include, but are not limited to:

  • AI & Cultural Identity
  • Building Stronger Federal Programs
  • Creating a Culturally Responsive Environment in a Secondary Setting
  • Embedding Community and Culture within Your Classroom Through Connection
  • NIEA Sponsored PD: Solutions for Changing Workplace Environments
  • Understanding the CHINS Unit: Referral Pathways and Youth Eligibility
  • Building Strong Teachers Through Mentoring and Meaningful Support
  • Native American Needs Assessment Stakeholder Listening Session
  • Teaching Tribal Sovereignty as Civics: Native Books and Primary Sources in the Classroom
  • Teaching Native Content Through Place: A Native Education for All Framework
  • INSTEM: Indians into STEM
  • Strengthening Tribal Community and Family Ties with Early Childhood Education
  • Educational Stability for At-Risk Students
  • Rules, Requirements, and Reminders… Oh My!
  • Wowachinyanka (Listening with Respect): Using Compass to Elevate Staff and Student Voices
  • Beyond Problem Solving: Co-Creating Solutions with Families
  • From Student Voice to Sustainable Impact: Building Strategic Partnerships
  • It Takes a Community: Leveraging Legendary Learners to Support School Readiness
  • ND COUNTS: Updates

Vendors & Exhibitors

  • Product Vendors: North Dakota State Capitol, Ground Floor West Hallway,
    7:30 AM – 4:30 PM both days
  • Information Exhibitors: North Dakota State Capitol, First Floor, Legislative Hall,
    11:00 AM – 1:00 PM both days

Information exhibitors include:

  • North Dakota State Library
  • State Historical Society of North Dakota
  • Waterford.org

Continuing Education Credit

NDIES is offering one continuing education workshop credit through the
University of Mary for an additional $45.
The registration deadline for workshop credit is July 28, 2026.

Credit registration and payment must be completed online by credit card through the University of Mary
Canvas Catalog. Checks are not accepted.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

If your plans change and you are no longer able to attend, please notify the Indian Education Office
as early as possible.

All cancellations or refund requests must be made to the Indian Education Office by email and through
the Eventbrite “Request Refund” function no later than 12:00 PM on Monday, July 20, 2026.
After noon on July 20, all registration fees become non-refundable.

Important Notes

  • You are not fully registered until you receive a confirmation email and printable ticket.
  • Registration is limited to the first 200 registrants.
  • NDDPI reserves the right to change room assignments, topics, or presenters based on Summit needs.
  • Attendees should check the schedule in their attendee packet and listen for updates at the event.

2026 Sponsors

  • Diamond Sponsor: ND Department of Public Instruction
  • Emerald Sponsor: Theodore Jamerson Elementary School, United Tribes Technical College
  • Platinum Sponsors: Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cloverdale Foods, Short River Enterprises LLC
  • Bronze Sponsors: Anonymous individual donors

Resources

Contact

For questions about the 12th Annual North Dakota Indian Education Summit, contact the
NDDPI Office of Indian/Multicultural Education:

Join educators from across North Dakota for two days of learning, cultural connection,
and professional development focused on Indian education.

Details

Venue

Organizer