2025 Women Are Sacred Conference

The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center is thrilled to announce the 2025 Women Are Sacred (WAS) Conference will take place July 29-31, 2025, at the Baird Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! One of the nation’s most inspiring and impactful gatherings, the Women Are Sacred Conference is a cornerstone in the movement to end violence against Native women and children. This powerful event brings together advocates, survivors, Tribal domestic and sexual violence programs, Tribal leadership, law enforcement, and Tribal court personnel—all united in the shared mission of creating safer, stronger Tribal communities.

Under this year's theme, "Committed to Our Relatives: Tradition in Our Hearts, Future in Our Hands," attendees will experience transformative training sessions, engage in meaningful networking opportunities, and learn from some of the most respected leaders, advocates, and experts driving change in Indian Country. Check back regularly to stay connected about the latest updates regarding the 2025 Women Are Sacred Conference! Registration will be opening soon.

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About the Women Are Sacred Conference

Every two years, NIWRC proudly hosts the Women Are Sacred (WAS) Conference, one of the largest gatherings of advocates, survivors, Tribal domestic and sexual violence programs, Tribal community members, Tribal leadership, law enforcement, and Tribal court personnel dedicated to ending violence against Native American women and communities. WAS offers state-of-the-art training and networking opportunities designed to increase the capacity of Tribal Nations, Tribal domestic violence, and community-based programs to address violence in Tribal communities.

This Year's Theme

Committed to Our Relatives: Tradition in Our Hearts, Future in Our Hands

This year’s theme, “Committed to Our Relatives: Tradition in Our Hearts, Future in Our Hands,” reflects the heart of NIWRC’s mission: honoring the sacred role of Native women as changemakers and protectors in leading efforts to build safer, stronger Tribal communities.

In a changing world, we draw strength from our traditions and reaffirm our commitments as relatives. As the world shifts, we respond with integrity, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to one another that has defined us for generations.

Through expert-led sessions, events, and deep connections, WAS attendees will gain tools to strengthen Tribal programs and create lasting change. Together, we will honor our traditions, advance the movement for healing and justice, and reaffirm our shared mission to restore safety and sovereignty for Native women and communities throughout Indian Country.

We are stronger together.

Call for Artists

We are searching for conference artwork! NIWRC invites artists to submit their work to be featured as the central image of the 2025 Women Are Sacred Conference, creatively depicting the conference theme, "Committed to Our Relatives: Tradition in Our Hearts, Future in Our Hands." The selected artwork may be featured on but is not limited to, the front and back cover of the conference program, conference merchandise, marketing materials, social media posts, webpages, and email campaigns.

Eligibility

There are no hard restrictions on genre, subject matter, or media; however, we ask artists to keep the conference theme and description in mind when creating and/or selecting work for submission. We ask that there be no depictions of Sacred pipes, and please be mindful that WAS represents all tribal nations. The artwork must also be suitable or print-friendly for posters, promotional graphics, conference programs, etc.

There are no age restrictions. Artists of all ages may submit their work.
For artists under the age of 18, parent or legal guardian permission may be required.

Compensation

The artist of the selected work will receive a one-time payment of $1,500.00. The artist will also receive one conference pass to attend all conference sessions, as well as one (optional) vendor booth for the duration of the conference.

Submission Requirements

Artists must submit their information and artwork files through the Call for Artists Submission Form.
Artists may submit up to five individual pieces of artwork for consideration.
Each submission must include a description of the artwork, detailing inspiration, medium, and process of creation.
Submitted artwork must be of high-resolution quality (300 DPI, .jpeg or .png recommended). If applicable, please include a layered version (.ai, .psd, .indd) of the artwork.

Deadline

The Call for Artists for the 2025 Women Are Sacred Conference is now closed. Thank you to all who submitted their artwork! Selected artists will be notified by April 15, 2025.

Call for Workshop Proposals

NIWRC invites you to submit a workshop proposal for the 2025 Women Are Sacred Conference! As one of the nation’s earliest and largest gatherings dedicated to ending violence against Native women and communities, the WAS Conference brings together Tribal domestic violence programs, advocates, survivors, community members, Tribal leadership, law enforcement, and Tribal court personnel.

WAS provides a unique platform for both established and emerging Indigenous leaders and experts to share knowledge and strategies for ending violence. The conference will feature training sessions, presentations, workshops, and keynote addresses on various topics designed to strengthen the capacity of Tribal Nations, domestic violence programs, and community-based services to provide effective interventions and prevention strategies. We anticipate over 600 attendees at this year’s event.

Topic Areas

Proposals should address topic areas in any of the three categories: practice, policy, and research. We welcome topics that address the following:

Traditional and community-led practices that center on ending violence against Native women
Accountability strategies to hold offenders accountable
Development of culturally based men’s re-education programs
Strategies to address or respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, sex trafficking, and missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and relatives
Intersections of domestic violence, mental health, and substance use
Child welfare and domestic violence challenges and practices
Housing and shelter development
Culturally based Trauma and Resilience-informed approaches
Economic empowerment, public benefits, and domestic violence collaborations
Incorporating Indigenous solutions or practices in addressing domestic violence
Identification of key issues and how they are being addressed across Tribal Nations, villages, and communities (coordinated community response)
Research practices and ethical considerations
Program evaluation methods and impact measurement
Policy development to support Native-led solutions