American Indian Caucus Day January 27, 2009                                

Utah American Indian Day on the Hill 2025

When the American Indian Caucus Day was held at the Utah State Capitol on Jan. 27, 2009, the event focused on Tribal leaders meeting with state leaders to strengthen government-to-government relationships. Seventeen years later, the event — now named Utah American Indian Day on the Hill — will also take place on Jan. 27. The event has expanded to include Tribal leadership, but also youth, community members, agencies, and partners working together. This evolution demonstrates stronger collaboration, deeper relationships, and a continued commitment to uplifting Tribal voices while preparing the next generation of leaders.

Utah is home to eight federally recognized Tribal nations:  the Navajo Nation, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation.

Utah American Indian Day on the Hill serves as a civic learning opportunity for Utah’s Tribal community members seeking to better understand the state’s legislative process. Participants are encouraged to observe how laws are made, engage with elected officials, and learn how advocacy and representation influence policy decisions impacting Tribal Nations. Opportunities like this help to empower Tribal communities to remain informed, engaged, and active in public decision-making.

Click the button below or visit https://le.utah.gov/ to locate your representatives and stay updated on key legislative matters impacting Tribal communities.

Utah Division of Indian Affairs

Utah Tribal Leaders Meeting | Public Session

Date: Thursday, January 22 

Time: 1 – 4 p.m. (MST) (Lunch is provided at 12 p.m. for in-person attendees) 

Location (In-Person): Montego Bay Conference Center, 100 Wendover Blvd., W. Wendover, NV 89883

Agenda Highlights:

UTL Business:

- Roll Call, Approval of Minutes, and Welcome by James Toledo, UDIA Deputy Director.

- Presentations (Beginning 1:20 p.m.): Updates from various state agencies and organizations.

Virtual Participation: This session has a virtual option. Copy and paste this link or click button below: https://utah-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/vGzsORRrS9yyAtu5PsxLxw

Utah American Indian Day on the Hill- Registration is Open

December 2025 Utah Tribal Leaders Meeting- UDIA Team recognition
Salt Lake City, UT | Dec. 11, 2025

At the Utah Tribal Leaders Meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation Tribal Council presented tokens of appreciation and a certificate of appreciation to the Utah Division of Indian Affairs in recognition of continued collaboration and partnership. Honorees included Director Dustin Jansen (who was not present at the time), Deputy Director James Toledo, and Administrative Assistant Rozanna Benally-Sagg. The Council acknowledged their hard work and dedication to strengthening collaboration between the state and the eight federally recognized Tribes in Utah. The meeting was recognized as successful and meaningful, reinforcing the importance of sustaining a strong and respectful government-to-government relationship.

Researchers at the University of Utah discovered a new microscopic roundworm species in the Great Salt Lake and named it Diplolaimelloides woaabi, using the Shoshone word wo’aabi meaning “worm,” in collaboration with the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. The naming honors Indigenous language and knowledge while expanding scientific understanding of life in the lake’s extreme environment.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has returned a 1,200-year-old sacred petroglyph boulder to the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, nearly 80 years after it was removed from its original site in northern Utah. Tribal leaders and Church representatives described the repatriation as a meaningful step toward honoring Indigenous heritage, cultural respect, and healing past harms.

Executive Director

Restoring Ancestral Winds seeks an experienced, culturally grounded leader to serve as Executive Director in Sandy, Utah. To guide the Tribal domestic and sexual violence coalition’s strategic growth, community partnerships, and advocacy efforts to support Native survivors and end gender-based violence; this is an open-until-filled position.

RESTORING ANCESTRAL WIND INC.

Various Positions

Craft Lake City is currently hiring for a variety of year-round (part-time and full-time) and seasonal contract positions to support its mission celebrating and uplifting Utah’s creative maker community, with opportunities in areas like social media, programs, festival roles, and more; interested candidates are encouraged to apply as these openings are being filled on a rolling basis.

CRAFT LAKE CITY

Tribal Administrator

to manage Tribal operations, supervise staff and programs, oversee grants and finances, and support the Business Council. The position is in Ibapah, Utah and is open until filled. Applications or resumes may be submitted by email or mail to Phyllis Naranjo, CTGR Business Council Secretary, at phyllis.naranjo@ctgr.us or by calling (435) 234-1138.

CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE GOSHUTE RESERVATION

NAT-SU Wellbriety & Fellowship 

NAT-SU Behavioral Health hosts a Wellbriety 12-Step & Fellowship gathering every Monday at 6:00 PM in Tooele, Utah, offering a welcoming, culturally grounded space for healing, connection, and recovery for all community members.

NAT-SU BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Adopt-A-Native-Elder (ANE) nonprofit organization that supports Native American Elders, primarily within the Navajo Nation and other communities with food deliveries, firewood, and essential supplies.  Community members are invited to learn more, support an Elder, or get involved by visiting the the website.

ADOPT-A-NATIVE ELDER

Urban Indian Organizations can apply for funding to support culturally grounded overdose prevention projects. Awards of up to $45,000.

Our partners at Seven Directions and the National Network of Public Health Institutes are sharing materials to help spread the word. Applications are due January 16.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF URBAN INDIAN HEALTH

School-Based Behavioral Health Subcommittee Position, these positions supports policy development, strategic planning, and coordination of school-based behavioral health efforts statewide. Click the button to learn more about the various positions open.

Applications due by 5 p.m. on Wed., January 28

UTAH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMISION

Summer Internship Grants

Now accepting applications for its 2026 Summer Internship Grants, offering up to $10,000 per Tribal land office to support paid high school internships in Tribal land management. These internships help build workforce skills, strengthen Tribal capacity, and inspire future leaders in Native land stewardship. Learn more and apply by clicking the button below. Application closes January 16.

INDIAN LAND TENURE FOUNDATION (ILTF)

Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI), provides grants ranging from $75,000 to $115,000 to support community-driven climate resilience and adaptation efforts. The initiative emphasizes partnerships between community-based organizations, Tribal or local governments, and climate adaptation practitioners, while also offering technical assistance and training. Deadline is March 12

NATIVE AMERICANS IN PHILANTHROPY

Utah Outdoor Recreation Grants program provides funding opportunities to support the improvement of outdoor recreation projects statewide. Assisting communities, agencies, nonprofits, and Tribal entities to enhance trails, parks, recreation facilities, outdoor education programs, and access to Utah’s natural spaces. Multiple grant programs are available through the year. Deadlines up to March 13

UTAH DIVISION OF OUTDOOR RECREATION

Tribal Wellbeing Seven Generations Internship Program

provides Indigenous students and early-career professionals with paid, hands-on opportunities to engage in climate science, environmental stewardship, policy, and community-based research. The program centers Indigenous knowledge systems alongside Western science, supporting workforce development. Deadline January 21

INSTITUTE FOR TRIBAL ENIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS

Cobell Scholarship Opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native students across multiple educational pathways, including undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees, vocational and trade programs, summer coursework, graduate research, and dissertation completion. Promotes educational access for enrolled members of federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. Deadlines up to March 30

COBELL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

2026 Energy Pathways Scholarship

Applications open for the 2026 Energy Pathways Scholarship, offering multiple $3,000 scholarships to high school seniors and college students pursuing STEM fields at Utah trade schools, colleges, and universities. The program is offered in partnership with Chevron and is open to students from high school senior through college junior levels.

Applications due by March 20

UTAH OFFICE OF ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

GROWING UP INFORMED

Free online courses. Parents and caregivers are invited to join an empowering class focused on age-appropriate conversations about bodies, boundaries, relationships, and abuse prevention. Sessions are available for caregivers of children ages 5–12 and for parents supporting youth as they transition into adulthood.

UTAH PARENT CENTER

FOUR POINTS HEALTH

 Is a community health center that provides medical, dental, and behavioral health services to all community members, including individuals from other tribes and non-tribal patients, with care offered on a sliding-fee basis and through accepted insurance plans; appointments can be made online through their website.

THE PAIUTE INDIAN TRIBE OF UTAH

PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ ANNUAL GALA

Tickets are now available for Seekhaven’s annual Ritz Gala, taking place January 24 at the Hoodoo Moab with a Hollywood Royale theme. The evening will feature dinner, dancing, and a silent auction highlighting regional art and experiences. Tickets sell out each year learn more or purchase tickets at seekhaven.org/ritz.html.

SEEKHAVEN MOAB

4TH ANNUAL YOUTH SOCIAL POWWOW

February 21 | Utah State Fair Park | Salt Lake City

The 4th Annual Youth Social Powwow is a free, family-friendly, alcohol-,  and drug-free community event celebrating youth, culture, and connection. Enjoy dancers and drummers, games, contests, a Native arts market, food vendors, and raffles supporting the annual CTGR Powwow. Grand Entry begins at 3 PM, and all are welcome.

SACRED CIRCLE HEALTHCARE

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by third-party organizations in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs. Links to external organizations or resources are provided for information only and should not be interpreted as endorsements or official positions of the Division.

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