Thank you for your interest in ATALM’s Strengthening Institutional Support for Native Artists (SISNA) initiative. Whether you joined us at the inaugural SISNA Summit 1 in Cherokee, North Carolina, or have expressed interest since that time, we are grateful to have you in this growing and dynamic community.

Our next step is to reconvene and start working on needs identified at the SISNA Summit 1.  We have scheduled a virtual gathering on May 20, 2:00 p.m. EDT to reconnect and begin this next phase together. During this meeting, we will share how we arrived at this point, outline our approach moving forward, and invite your input on how best to engage tribal leaders, directors of regional, state, and local arts agencies, and other partners in this work.

A central focus of SISNA moving forward will be the development of practical toolkits for tribal leaders and arts agencies. These resources are intended to provide guidance on how to offer meaningful, sustained support for Native artists and cultural leaders in ways that are culturally grounded and responsive to community priorities.

We hope you will continue this journey with us. If your time permits, here are a few Next Steps:

1. RSVP for the May 20 SISNA Virtual Gathering
2. Join the SISNA Leadership Council
3. Learn more about SISNA and ATALM’s ongoing work 

The 2026 SISNA Summit will take place on Monday, September 21 in Spokane, WA, followed by the Annual ATALM Conference on September 22-24. Attendance at the Summit is limited to active participants who help develop the toolkits and have direct links to tribal leadership, tribal, local, state, and regional arts councils, practicing artists, and funders. If you meet these criteria, please request an invitation.