Utah Valley University (UVU) hosted the 20th annual Utah Native American Summit (UNAS) from July 29-31, 2026. The event serves as Utah’s premier forum for meaningful dialogue between Tribal leaders, state officials, and community partners. This year’s theme was Strengthen Sovereignty through CommUNITY, aimed to inspire the future leaders of Utah’s Tribal Nations to work together in order to create greater impact.
The 2026 summit was structured to address specific community, legislative, and youth priorities across three dedicated program tracks: government-to-government, public conference and engagement, and the Indigenous Youth Leadership program. The summit included private meetings and focused discussions on state resources and tribal relations, with participants from numerous state agencies and nonprofit organizations collaborating on current issues at the state–tribal intersection.
“The summit provides an important opportunity for Native students and communities to engage with leaders, build connections, and see their cultures and perspectives reflected in meaningful ways,” said UVU Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement Director Justin Allison. “That kind of experience can have a lasting impact on students as they grow in confidence, leadership, and purpose.”
The summit featured two keynote speakers, Dougie Hall and Eric Michael Hernandez. Hall, an accomplished rodeo athlete and entrepreneur, shared with the audience his journey of perseverance, authenticity, and cultural pride. Hernandez, an acclaimed Native American hoop dancer, filmmaker, and digital storyteller, spoke about his real-life journey of learning hoop dance from his Uncle Terry as portrayed in the short film, “Courage,”a tribute to the strength of cultural storytelling and the importance of reclaiming identity through tradition.
UVU aims to support Native American, Indigenous, and First-Nation students through the Native Excellence & Tribal Engagement program, providing students a “home away from home.” The program focuses on strong community engagement, intentional and lasting partnerships, and continued student success through events and programs, including the Native Wolverine Association and the American Indian Studies Program. Annual events include the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, the UVU Powwow, Native American Storytelling Night, and the Governor’s Native American Summit.
Utah is home to approximately 60,000 Native Americans representing 50 Tribal Nations, with eight federally recognized tribes.
For additional information about the Utah Native American Summit, please visit https://indian.utah.gov/native-american-summit/.
