Our Programs - Native Dads Network

Annual Conferences

Transformative gatherings fostering healing, empowerment, and cultural connection

Boys with Braids Conference

A culturally significant event empowering Native American youth, particularly boys, by celebrating the importance of long hair in Indigenous traditions while addressing racial harassment.

🎯 Purpose & Goals:

Cultural Education: Teach the sacredness of long hair and its significance in Native traditions
Empowerment: Foster pride in cultural identity among Native youth
Awareness: Address and combat racial harassment related to cultural practices

🌟 Featured Speakers:

Dallas Goldtooth: Native American actor, comedian, writer, and environmental activist (Reservation Dogs, 1491s comedy group)
Kauchani Bratt: Respected community leader and advocate for Indigenous youth empowerment
Michael Linklater: Founder of Boys with Braids movement, professional basketball player and motivational speaker

Interactive Activities:

Braid contests and cultural workshops
Community engagement opportunities
Youth connection and experience sharing

The conference serves as a platform for Native youth to embrace their heritage, learn about cultural significance, and build supportive communities that respect Indigenous values.

Wellness Tour

A culturally grounded initiative launched in response to the escalating substance use crisis in Native communities during COVID-19. From March 2021 to June 2022, the tour reached 11 American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities across California.

92%

Knew someone who overdosed

65.3%

Female participants (ages 36-45)

4.8/5

Cultural relevance rating

20+

Tribes represented

Key Features:

Naloxone (Narcan) training and fentanyl test strips
Cultural healing through song, dance, and prayer
Educational lectures and adolescent-led skits
Traditional talking circles

Impact Data:

30 participants admitted personal substance use
92.5% used marijuana, 50%+ methamphetamines
4.7/5 quality of life improvement rating
High confidence in naloxone use (4.8/5)

Notable Stops:

Bishop, CA - Cultural healing practices
Tule River Reservation - Opioid crisis collaboration
Pechanga Casino & Resort - Cultural education
Tuolumne, CA - Comprehensive wellness programs

Purpose & Goals:

Cultural reconnection through Indigenous traditions
SUD prevention and education
Community empowerment and healing
Sacred spaces for dialogue and support

Healing Together Conference

📅 June 18-20, 2025

Location: Sky Ute Casino Resort, Ignacio, Colorado

Registration: $425 (includes breakfast and lunch)

🌿 Purpose & Themes:

Foster cultural healing through Indigenous traditions and practices
Enhance community resilience by addressing intergenerational trauma
Promote wellness and leadership among Native youth and families
Focus on healthy relationships, workplace wellness, and allyship

🏛️ Conference Activities:

Ceremonies featuring National Wellbriety Drum and Sacred Hoop
Hands-on workshops and breakout sessions
Evening cultural sharing events
"Healing village" offering traditional practices and community support

🤝 Collaborating Organizations:

Native Dads Network
White Bison
Native Wellness Institute
Native American Fatherhood & Families Association
American Indian Cancer Foundation

🌟 Community Impact:

Reconnecting with cultural identities
Building supportive community networks
Gaining tools for personal and communal healing

Participants have reported transformative experiences, highlighting the conference's role in creating lasting positive change within Indigenous communities.