Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2026 – Rooted and Reimagined Partnerships

by VALOR
on October 6, 2026

Throughout this year, VALOR has looked to Native and Indigenous leaders, practices, and knowledge to live into our theme of Rooted and Reimagined. Community is at the heart of being rooted in our values and secure enough to reimagine how we can grow into a better movement. 

VALOR celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 12th to honor the history, culture, and perspectives of our native communities. And while we celebrate and honor our Indigenous brothers and sisters,, VALOR also calls on the movement to act and go beyond land acknowledgements.

VALOR and long-time partner Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition, Inc. have worked together several times in 2026. Earlier in the year, VALOR’s Ashleigh Klein-Jimenez and David S. Lee visited Strong Hearted’s offices for a day of shared learning and prevention planning to exchange knowledge, explore ideas, and identify opportunities for future prevention efforts.

At the 2026 Statewide Conference, Strong Hearted hosted a session focused on Tribal Violence Prevention as well as led a shawl ceremony that honors lives, stories, resilience, and spirits of all attendees relatives and communities, representing how we are all connected through compassion, healing, and shared humanity.

Advocacy, resources, and expansion of cultural awareness through the leadership of powerful Indigenous and Native partners open opportunities to create both stronger communities and a stronger movement to end sexual assault rooted in holistic prevention and intervention techniques.  

Take time to explore the leadership, knowledge, and teachings from Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition and other national coalitions focused on building community and ending violence in and around Native and Indigenous lands.  

Strong Hearted Native Women's Coalition, Inc. logo.
  • Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition Inc., is California’s Native American sexual assault coalition. They bring awareness to all types of gender-based violence against American Indian and Alaskan Native people and work to “increase the approachability to improving systemic and community responses to victims.” Visit their website for awareness campaigns, publications, and upcoming events. 
Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence logo.
  • Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence (ATCEV) works to advance Tribal safety and sovereignty of American Indian and Alaska Native women through supporting Tribal Coalitions and communities focused on supporting survivors of violence. ATCEV is the Office on Violence Against Women Comprehensive Training and Technical Assistance provider of the Tribal Coalition Grant Program, while also working together with other state and national coalitions to support building strong and inclusive relationships and increasing knowledge around global Indigenous healing methods. Learn more about their projects by visiting their website.
Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition logo.
  • Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition (MIWSAC) is dedicated to building resources and creating awareness to eliminate sexual violence against Indian women and children. MIWSAC is available to assist Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program grantees with building culturally responsive services. We encourage you to reach out for support, and you can learn more on their website. 

For more information on building relationships with Tribes and supporting Native communities, check out these resources:

  • Visit ATCEV for training and technical assistance, as well as more information on the Many Voices, Many Traditions: A FVPSA Toolkit for Working with Indigenous Partners, and the Indigenous Ancestral Healing Collective.
  • Access MIWSAC’s website for a full list of Tribal Technical Assistance Providers and Tribal Coalitions. 
  • StrongHearts Native Helpline was launched in 2017 and is a dedicated hotline to support Native American and Alaska Native communities across the United States who are impacted by sexual and domestic violence. Access their website for support.