NDE Nebraska Native American Program
2026 Nebraska Native Youth Gathering: April 15, 2026
Nielsen Community Center
200 Anna Stalp Ave, West Point, NE 68788
View the 2026 general sessions below:
Opening session- Land Back Art Tanderup
How to Use AI Like A Pro- Biagio Arobba
The Modern Resilient Native: Culture, Career, and Community, Nichole Benegas and Kylesse Walker
The annual Gathering provides Native youth with an opportunity:
- To connect with their peers from across the state of Nebraska;
- To gain traditional Native knowledge, skills, and practices;
- To share personal experiences, and
- To consider future career and college opportunities.
The Nebraska Native Youth Gathering centers on the idea of honoring the Sacred Hoop – body, spirit, heart, and mind.
Sessions address each of these components, emphasizing the importance for youth to examine their higher selves through information, connections, and experiences shared during the Gathering.
View a video of the event from 2024.
The NDE has worked with tribal schools, community organizations, and tribal leaders to support Native American education outcomes. Visioning priorities identified through this statewide partnership are listed below.
COMMUNITIES REPRESENTED
Macy
- Tribal Council members present, Community programs, School Counselor
- Nebraska Indian Community College
Winnebago
- HoChunk Inc. WPS, Title VI Rep
Walthill
- School Superintendent
Omaha
- Bluebird Cultural Initiative, OPS, Title VI Rep
Lincoln
- UNL, LPS Title VI Rep,
- Morning Star Counseling
Bancroft/Rosalie
- School Administrators
STATE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTED
Nebraska Department of Education
Nebraska Indian Commission
Society of Care
DHHS
The Kim Foundation