| Monday, September 14 through Friday, September 18, 2026 at the Little Creek Resort
Please join us for the AIHC Biennial Tribal and State Leaders Health Summit hosted by the Squaxin Island Tribe.
This Summit brings together Tribal Leaders, State Legislators, Tribal and Urban Indian Health Organization staff members, state agency leadership and representatives, federal representatives, and the Portland Area Indian Health Services to discuss Tribal legislative and programmatic health priorities.
The work of the summit will be to produce actionable and accountable plans for work to be done by the state, Tribes, AIHC, and other partners throughout the next two years to improve the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives in our state.
With the focus on a looking at Tribal health from a more holistic view, we will structure this summit a little different than in the past: High Level Agenda:
- Monday - Tribal and State Health Leaders Summit
- Tuesday - 4th Annual Washington Tribal Opioid Fentanyl Taskforce Summit
- Wednesday - Tribal Behavioral Health Focused
- Thursday - Tribal Public Health Focused
- Friday - Tribal Food Sovereignty Gathering and Closing
- Plus other cultural and networking activities throughout the week!
Our goal with this new format is to increase visibility across different programs to see where the work overlaps and clearly identify which existing program, workgroup, taskforce, or other body of work will be responsible to move our priorities forward. During this summit, we ask that no outside media participate. AIHC will send a press release after the event, and coordinate with any Tribal or State communication teams needed during the event. As part of the registration process, you will have a chance to nominate someone for the 2026 Lou Schmitz Community Connections Award. Nominees for this award should:
- Prioritize Tribal Sovereignty in all areas of their work
- Focus on making connections with people
- Work to build collaborative community engagement
- Exemplify and model empathy
Lou Schmitz Community Connections Award A biennial award honoring Lou Schmitz and the ideals she embodied. Lou is remembered for her tenacity and her dedication to Tribal public health sovereignty. She was a longtime AIHC consultant who was instrumental in the COVID-19 response across Washington State. She was a pillar in AIHC’s public health work and emergency health response. This award has been created in her memory so we always honor and remember the important work she did. In loving memory of Lou — February 15, 1960 - September 14, 2024 In November, 2024 we honored Steve Kutz with the inaugural award. He has committed his entire career to public health, equity, and partnerships across Tribal, state, and local governments. He’s a wealth of knowledge in the history of policy, and uses this to foster relationships that create a better future. Hotel Reservation Info
Please note: this registration form is for the summit event only and does not include your hotel reservations. You will need to reserve your hotel separately.
We have a variety of room sizes/types under contract with discounted pricing - from Deluxe King & Double Queen to Premium King Suites and spa rooms.
A private online booking portal in being assigned, but in the meantime you can call direct to reserve your rooms today:
- LCCR Central Reservations 800-667-7711
- Use Block Code: AIHC TRIBAL HEALTH SUMMIT to get your discounted room selection.
Email us at info@aihc-wa.com if you have any issues or questions during this process.
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