The 2020 NAFWS National Conference has been cancelled.
June 29, 2020 – The NAFWS National Conference Planning Committee met today and after careful consideration have decided to CANCEL the 2020 National Conference. Our members’ safety and health are our number one concern during these difficult times.
Any participants that had registered for the 2020 National Conference will receive a complete refund. We will make a decision at our December Board Meeting regarding the 2021 National Conference. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of everyone and look forward to continuing our mission and serving Native American and Alaska Native Tribes in the future.
For More Information, contact Julie Thorstenson, PhD, Executive Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 303-905-1250.
38th Annual
Native American Fish & Wildlife Society
National Conferance
May 4 - May 7, 2020
A communication network organization, the NAFWS hosts a national conference each year. The Society is divided into seven regional areas in the U.S., which includes the Pacific, Great Plains, Great Lakes, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Alaska Regions. Each year, one of these regions on a rotating basis will host (with a tribe) from that region a national conference.
Who Attends the National Conference
The conference is an opportunity for tribal natural resource managers, technicians, conservation law officers, government agencies, and many others, to receive training, network, share information, and discuss current technical information and legislative initiatives.

Hosted by the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida and the NAFWS Southeast Region
Come share your research and/or projects in our
Concurrent and Poster
SESSIONS !!
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
We invite presenters, keynote speakers, volunteers, sponsors, co-sponsors, trade show exhibitors (corporate, government, tribal natural resource programs, NGOs, and tribal businesses).
Abstract submissions due March 2,2020 at 11:59 pm CST. Notification of acceptance on March 9,2020.
Travel Scholarships for Students
Limited student conference travel scholarships are available
(Due March 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm CST)
FOR MORE INFO: Call (303) 466-1725
SUBMIT TO BOTH:
Dr. Julie Thorstenson
Executive Director
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Ashley Carlisle
Education Coordinator
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E X H I B I T O R S
38th Native American Fish & Wildlife Society 2020 National Conference, Miami, FL May 3 - 6, 2020 Sponsored by: NAFWS - Southeast Region Hosted by: Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of FL
E X H I B I T D A Y S
Sunday, May 3 - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 4 - 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 - 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wed., May 6 - 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
An exhibit space may include if requested: Electribal hook-up with power strip | Exhibit Fees $500 - Corporate $400 - Federal/State Agencies $75 - Tribal/Intertribal/Non-Governmental Organizations $50 - Native American vendor (Native crafts, jewelry, art) Donated Auction Item valued at $50. Conference Sponsor ____ Exhibitors - Corporate, Federal/State Agencies, and Tribal/Intertribal Non-Governmental organizations receive one conference registration. |
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2020 NAFWS NATIONAL AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Awards will be presented during the 2020 NAFWS National Conference in Miami, FL on May 4 - 7, 2020
CHIEF SEALTH AWARD
This individual should be working in the capacity of a director, manager, leader or similar position. This person is recognized for their exceptional work. This person is someone who has worked to develop their program in the name of fish and wildlife protection, preservation and enhancement or has worked with an agency that has made significant and positive impacts to and in Indian country. This person is someone who has dedicated their life and work to fish, wildlife and natural resources.
BIOLOGIST AWARD
This individual is one who has spent many hours outdoors collecting data and using that information to educate fellow Tribal and agency personnel in the importance of their work. This person is one who works to manage diverse projects for their Tribe. They cover many geographic areas, work with multiple agencies, use technical skills in gathering and managing information, understand TEK, but most importantly promotes the importance of the science to protect fish and wildlife.
CONSERVATION LAW OFFICER AWARD
This award will go to an individual that works in the capacity of a conservation officer, game warden, fish and game officer or in a similar capacity. This person has the training and experience in carrying themselves in a professional manner while working in a law enforcement capacity.
Nominations will be accepted from NAFWS members in good standing. Please review the award policy. Deadline to submit a nomination: March 27, 2020
Email Nominations to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or mail to: NAFWS Awards Committee, 10465 Melody Dr., Ste. 307, Northglenn, CO 80234.
AWARD POLICY PURPOSE
The purpose of the award policy is to provide criteria for selecting the annual “Chief Sealth”, “Biologist” and “Conservation Officer” awards. SCOPE Members of the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society shall follow the guidelines in this policy for submitting their recommendations to the Board of Directors. Additionally, the appointed committee to designate the awardees and the Board of Directors shall follow the guidelines contained within this policy in their selection and announcement, ensuring noneligible submissions are not selected.
DISCUSSION The mission of the Society is to promote the prudent use of Native natural resources. This can only be accomplished through the dedication and hard work off all Society members. Awards for the “Biologist” and “Conservation Officer” will be given to two individual members and in some special circumstances, award two individuals for each award, on a yearly basis, who best exemplifies his or her dedication and hard work. To honor these individuals is not intended to diminish the contributions of other individuals but to reflect the accomplishments of those individuals involved in Native natural resource management activities. The “Chief Sealth” award shall honor one person who has made a significant and positive impact on Native natural resources.
1000.1 DEFINITION/CRITERIA
1000.1.1 Chief Sealth Award: This award will go to any member in good standing that works for a Tribe or agency in the natural resources field. This person should be working in the capacity of a director, manager, leader or similar position. This person is recognized for their exceptional work. This person is someone who has worked to develop their program in the name of fish and wildlife protection, preservation and enhancement or has worked with an agency that has made significant who has dedicated their life and work to fish, wildlife and natural resources. They are a steward of the land or natural resources. Their impact in Indian country creates the road to the future for better management of natural resources.
1000.1.2 Biologist Award: This award will go to anyone that works for a Tribe and has a degree in biology and/or related field or has extensive in-the-field, including traditional/indigenous ecological and cultural knowledge experience that has made an impact in preserving and/or protecting important fish or wildlife species or habitats. This person is one who has spent many hours outdoors collecting data and using that information to educate fellow Tribal and agency personnel in the importance of their work. This person is one who works to manage diverse projects for their Tribe. They cover many geographic areas, deal with multiple agencies, use technical skills in gathering and logging, information, understand TEK, but most importantly promote the importance of the science to protect fish and wildlife.
1000.1.3 Conservation Officer Award: This award will go to a person that works in the capacity of a Tribal CO, game warden, fish and game officer, natural resource enforcement or similar law enforcement capacity. This person has the training and experience in carrying out themselves in a professional manner while working in an enforcement capacity. They work to ensure that all hunters, fishermen, recreationalists, etc. follow Tribal laws, rules and regulations of the reservation. They also work to continue to participate in training in keeping their skill level proficient. They are responsible for conducting thorough and fair investigations as well as provide accurate and timely information to the court systems. This person is also involved in many other activities, i.e. visitor education, organize hunter and fishing educational courses, conduct fishing and hunting checks and look out for the environmental and natural resources.
1000.1.4 Selection Committee - The committee will consist of five Society’s Board of Directors.
1000.1.5 Nominator - A Society member, in good standing, who nominate an eligible recipient for an award. Current Society Board of Directors are not eligible to nominate a Society member for any award.
1000.1.6 Non-Eligible recipient - A current member of the Society’s Board of Director’s or a Society employee is not eligible to receive the “Chief Sealth” award.
1000.1.7 - Nomination Package The nominator of an individual must be in a form of a formal letter addressed to the Society’s Board of Directors. Supporting written material of the candidate’s accomplishments may be attached. For the “Chief Sealth” award nomination package, the nominator must also include three letters of support for the nominee. To assist the nominator in preparing a nomination package, the National Office will make available to the nominator the Definitions/Criteria and Nomination Package sections of the policy as well as placing information on the Society’s web site.
1000.1.8 Nomination Deadline The nomination package from the nominator must be received in the National Office by March 25th by close of business by either U.S.Mail or by email National Office Address: NAFWS, Attention Awards Committee, 10465 Melody Dr., Ste. 307, Northglenn, CO 80234
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
100.1.9 Required Information
The nomination package for the “Biologist” and “Conservation Officer” award shall include:
- CONTACT INFORMATION
Nominator’s name
Nominator’s phone number
Member’s name
Member’s work organization
Member’s job title
Award for member being nominated - ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Current year work projects
Past program/project involvement
Society volunteer involvement
Tribal government involvement
Community involvement
OCCUPATION HISTORY
Time-in-Service in occupation for award being nominated
Time-in-Service in natural resource occupations
The nomination package for the “Chief Sealth” award shall include:
- CONTACT INFORMATION
Nominator’s name
Nominator’s phone number
Member’s name
Member’s work organization
Member’s job title
Award for member being nominated - Accomplishments
- Minimum of Two letters of support for nominee
1000.1.10 Optional Information
Information may be attached to package to support the candidate’s accomplishments.
1000.2 SELECTION AND ANNOUNCEMENT PROCESS
1000.2.1 Package Announcement
The National Office will forward a copy of all received nomination packages to the President by March 20, 2020 by email or by mail.
1000.2.2 Package Delivery
The National Office will deliver a copy by email or mail of all nomination packages to each committee member by March 23, 2020, or one month prior to the national conference. Whichever date is earliest.
1000.2.3 Award Approval
The committee will meet by conference call to vote separately on each award no later than March 25, 2020. The committee will submit their final results to the NAFWS President. If the committee fails to select a recipient for an award by this date, the Board of Directors will determine the award recipient. Also, the committee may elect to rename the “Biologist” award to the “Biologist” or “Manager” for appropriate recognition of the recipient’s field of work.
The NAFWS President will contact the nominator to inform him or her of the selections to ensure the recipient is available to attend the National Conference to receive their award. If they are unable to attend, the next recipient will be selected and confirmed by March 30, 2020.
1000.2.4 Award Announcement
The President will announce the winners of the “Chief Sealth”, “Biologist” and “Conservation Office” awards during the dinner banquet at the Society’s National Conference. The National Office will have awards ready with the correct information for the award two weeks prior to the national conference.
Lodging - Miccosukee Resort and Gaming
500 SW 177th Ave, Miami, FL 33194
Get Directions
Reserve your Room Now
Special room rates have been secured.
Annual Native Fish & Wildlife Conference Room Block using Reservation Code:
To reserve a room, please call Miccosukee Resort at (305) 925-2555 or (877) 242-6464.
You may also create reservations online. Please visit www.miccosukee.com, click on the Resort & Gaming tab, then click on book a room & enter the code into the group code box.
You can also make a reservation via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Cut- Off Date for Making Reservations
The Cut-off date for accepting guest reservations is April 1, 2020. Reservation request received after 11:59PM (ET) on the cut-off date will be accepted at the prevailing rate, based on room type availability.
Arrivals and Departures: Check in time for a group is 3P.M. and check out is 12P.M.
The rate varies from $109 - $129 based on availability
9.7 % tribal Tax will be added to room rate per night, per room.
Complementary shuttle pick up to and from the MIA airport with advance notice (reservation required)