History
Since 2007, the Guardian Awards have celebrated individuals and organizations whose work strengthens the vitality and cultural sovereignty of Native Nations.
In 2026, we continue this tradition by recognizing individuals, not organizations, whose passion, leadership, and commitment ensure that Native knowledge and traditions thrive for future generations.
The number of awards presented is based on the strength of nominations received, so not all awards are presented each year. This ensures that each honoree truly represents excellence in their field and upholds the high standards of this recognition.
Schedule
- June 11, 2026 – Deadline for submitting nominations
- July 9, 2026 – Guardian Awards announced
- September 23, 2026 – ATALM Conference, Spokane, Washington
Award Categories
Nominations are sought in the following award categories:
- Archive Leadership Award – Recognizes an individual that demonstrates a significant commitment to the preservation and use of documentary heritage. Nominees are evaluated on their effectiveness in improving the documentary record through identifying and ensuring the preservation of records relating to tribal communities and topics; demonstrating success in raising public awareness of the importance of improving documentation; using innovative approaches to identifying and acquiring the records of tribal communities/topics; or using effective and appropriate approaches to making records available to a broader public audience.
- Future Cultural Leader Award – Recognizes an exceptional early-career individual that shows promise, leadership, and dedication to advancing Indigenous archives, libraries, museums, language or cultural heritage preservation organizations. The recipient of this award exemplifies innovation and commitment to cultural sovereignty and makes significant contributions despite being in the early stages of their career.
- Historic Preservation Leadership Award – Recognizes an individual who demonstrates exceptional dedication to identifying, protecting, and interpreting historically and culturally significant sites, objects, and heritage through research, conservation, preservation, and public outreach.
- Honored One Award – Recognizes non-Indigenous individuals whose contributions have significantly benefited the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage and supported the work of tribal archives, libraries, and museums. Multiple awards may be presented in this category.
- Library Leadership Award – Recognizes an individual that profoundly demonstrates outstanding service to their community. Nominees must have developed innovative and effective services and programs that can be replicated by other libraries; partnered successfully with other institutions to improve and enhance services; or demonstrated excellence in service that has impacted the community in a measurable way. Emphasis will be placed on accomplishments that showcase the library’s role as a center of the community.
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Honors an individual whose work has significantly contributed to the preservation and understanding of Indigenous cultural heritage. Individuals should have at least fifteen years of service to the archives, library, or museum professions (in any combination).
- Museum Leadership Award – Recognizes an individual that demonstrate significant commitment to the care, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of material cultural heritage. Nominees must have demonstrated innovative and effective collections care methods; originality and quality of programming (including exhibitions, education and outreach, events, and publications); and/or successful collaboration with other heritage organizations.
- Tribal Leadership Award– Recognizes Indigenous elected leaders who demonstrate significant support of archives, libraries, museums, and language programs.