SAIGE Virtual Event Nov. 13, 2025
Each November, we make an extra special effort to honor the cultures, traditions, and contributions of Native Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians – please join us for this year’s commemoration: “Honoring Our Ancestors through Government Service”
Keynote Address: Meghan Bishop, Policy Director, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
Thursday, November 13, 2025
8:00 PM Eastern – Webinar – Free & Open to the Public
Register here: https://linktr.ee/saige_org
Meghan Bishop (Sugpiat/Native Village of Afognak) serves as the NCAI Policy Director and has a deep commitment to justice reform, tribal self-governance, and child and family welfare. Ms. Bishop previously served as Senior Counselor to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where she managed a complex law and public policy portfolio spanning public safety, social services, education, community development, the PROGRESS Act, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and other initiatives. Ms. Bishop holds a Master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University, a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law, and a B.A. in Psychology and Humanities from Ohio Wesleyan University.
SAIGE Annual Military Meritorious Service Awards nominations now being accepted for 2025
2025 MILITARY MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS
Announcement Dec. 2, 2024
Purpose: The SAIGE Military Meritorious Service Award honors Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve Service members and military veterans in government service, who during the award period thru their service made significant contributions in the following areas:
• supports their organization’s government to government interaction with AI/AN tribes,
• whose personal actions both on and off duty contributes to promoting greater understanding of the AI/AN culture,
• promotes a positive image of Native Americans/Alaskan Natives in government service,
• reflects attributes best epitomizing the qualities and core values of their respective military service or government agency.
SAIGE Point of Contact: Mr. Ed Blauvelt, SAIGE Warrior Society Director, edward.blauvelt@saige.org
2025 Application: 2025 SAIGE Military_Veterans Meritorious Service Award
2025 Transmittal: AWARD NOMINATION TRANSMITTAL FORM
For more information on the Warrior Society see: https://saige.org/warriors-society/
Pevar Book Sales to Benefit SAIGE
Stephen Pevar recently published the 5th edition of his authoritative and popular book, The Rights of Indians and Tribes. Stephen is generously offering SAIGE an opportunity to benefit from sales of his updated book.
The 540-page book discusses every significant issue in federal Indian law. This book sells for $29.95. Stephen will personally autograph the book if ordered from his website:
https://www.therightsofindiansandtribes.com
SAIGE will receive a part of the proceeds of each book sold. After you click on “Buy Now,” you’ll be asked if you want the book autographed. Click “Yes.” Then, in the autograph box, place SAIGE followed by the name of the person receiving the book. Stephen will sign the book to that person and share some of the proceeds with SAIGE as a donation. This does not increase the price of the book for you.
Also, you can send this information to your friends and relatives and suggest that they purchase the book by entering SAIGE in the autograph box. Each of those books will also generate money for SAIGE.
Stephen has been a friend of SAIGE for many years, and we are proud that he will be a keynote speaker at our National Training Program in Spokane on June 4, 2024.
Consulting with Tribal Nations Course
Greetings SAIGE,
Please note that this 3-day intensive Tribal Consultation Training hosted by the Department of the Interior is being held at the Northern Quest Resort concurrently with the SAIGE National Training Program. It is separate from the SAIGE Training, and requires separate registration through DOI, although you do not have to be a DOI employee to attend.
SAIGE offered sharing the venue with the National Indian Programs Training Center in support of their efforts to extend their reach to educate specifically about Tribal Consultation. The participants in this class will not be attending the main SAIGE National Training program, but will be in their own area for the duration. There will be no crossover.
We will invite them to join us for our evening activities so we can network. Please feel free to share.
Registration for the SAIGE National Training Program can be found at saigetraining.org
Consulting with Tribal Nations – This interactive course provides participants with an overview of Consulting with Tribal Nations through instructor-led lectures, discussions, and case studies. The culminating activity is a mock consultation where participants will play the various roles. The training will enable participants to acquire the basic knowledge of the tribal consultation process, cultural awareness, and the importance of engaging with Tribal nations on matters that affect them. This course was created to support the Department of the Interior’s Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes and the directive for training on Tribal consultation.
Training Dates: June 4-6, 2024 (Spokane, WA) Concurrent with SAIGE (But separate Training)
Delivery Format/Hosting Location: In-Person (Spokane, WA)
Contact: jennifer_martinez@ios.doi.gov or april_d_gonzalez@ios.doi.gov
Tuition: $869.00
Tuition Payment Application: Payment Form (Spokane, WA)
DOI Employees Registration: DOI Talent
NON-DOI Registration: Non-doi-registration
ALL Tuition Payments: https://doiu.doi.gov/cc/
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Justification to attend SAIGE National Training Program
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO FEDERAL AGENCY HEADS AND TRAINING DIRECTORS
March 20, 2024
On May 1, 2015, The Office of Personnel Management issued guidance to agencies on Determining if a Conference is a Training Activity. The Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) hosts an outstanding three-day National Training Program focused on leadership, professional development centered on OPM’s Core Competencies, and the complex relationship known as the Federal Indian Trust Responsibility. Attendees can participate in developmental programs on a variety of topics while networking with other government professionals. Additionally, cultural awareness events are presented by local indigenous people and American Indian and Alaska Native professionals. As part of this program, SAIGE offers special training sessions for military veterans and leadership training for college students, as well as hosting a Career Fair with numerous federal agencies represented.
The 21st Annual SAIGE National Training Program, “Affirming Native Voices: Visibility-Leadership-Service,” will be held at the Northern Quest Resort owned by the Kalispel Tribe June 3-6, 2024. For additional information you may visit our website at www.saige.org or our registration site at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-saige-national-training-program-tickets-770969760307
SAIGE is providing the following information to Agency Heads, Training Directors, and others to assist in the training approval process in light of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) discontinuing its former practice of issuing yearly memorandum regarding whether conferences qualify as a training activity in accordance with 5 CFR 410.404.
SAIGE is pleased to announce that the SAIGE National Training Program specifically meets these required criteria. To request the document that outlines these criteria, please ask for it at info@saige.org.
