The idea of hosting an annual Indian Education Summit started in 2007 after a few tribal people attended a conference, hosted by the Southwest Comprehensive Center (Comp Center). The Comp Center helped plan the first event with the Nevada Indian Commission (NIC) and the University of Nevada, Reno's Center for Student Diversity, and was held in March 2008. The Summit brought educators and tribal leaders from across the state to discuss the state of Indian education. Since then, the Summit has brought local and national presenters to address the academic achievement needs for American Indian students. The event has been hosted at the University of Nevada, Reno from 2008-2018, and then hosted at the Truckee Meadows Community College in 2019. This year the Summit will be hosted at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Jow Crowley Student Union.

2025 Lightning the Path to Collaboration, Advocacy and Leadership

• Indian Education Annual Summit Save the Date (PDF)

• Summit Agenda-at-a-Glance 2025 (PDF)

2024 The Landscape of Indian Education: Looking back to Look Forward. Using data to invest in our students. 2023 The annual event was canceled.
2022 The annual event was canceled.
2021 The annual event did not take place due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
2020 The annual event did not take place due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
2019 Equity: A Voice for All Students.
2018 Building an Equitable and Sustainable Education System for Native Students.
2017 From Accountability to Native Innovation.
2016 Student Potential: The Focus & Future of Indian Education.
2015 Transforming the Future: Closing the Achievement Gap for AI Students.
2014 Building a Foundation for Success.
2013 We Are Still Here, Telling Our Story.
2012 Feeding the Spirit, Educating the Mind.
2011 Embracing the Past, Educating the Future.
2010 Weaving an Educational Foundation for Our Students Through Language, Culture & History.
2009 Building the Bridge to Transition.
2008 Building Collaborations Between Educators and Leaders Across the State to Improve Indian Education.
2007 First year to plan the annual Summit.

Although the Summit has not taken place since 2019, the NDE has been instrumental in sponsoring several events over the past three years, using registration funds from past Summits. This year alone we helped with the following events:

August 2023, we co-hosted the Remembrance Run 2023.

August 2023, we bought footballs, volleyball, basketballs, and other fun supplies for students to use during the University of Nevada, Reno's (UNR) Discover Your Path, an American Indian Summer Camp, in Lake Tahoe.

June 2023, we were glad to help with some expenses for the McDermitt's youth to attend the NDE's University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Summer Camp.

June 2023, the Summit was honored to sponsor the Stewart Alumni Reception during the Stewart Father's Day Powwow.

Through future registration's that assist with hosting the event, we will continue to assist events that are educationally and culturally related.

In 2010, the Pesa Namanedu Award is presented to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to Indian Education in Nevada. The first educators to be presented this award were the authors of Celebrating Nevada Indians Curriculum. The Award has been presented from 2010 through 2019.