A recap of our event at the 2025 Mid-Year CANAR Conference The Davenport Grand- Downtown Spokane, Washington

Highlights

The CANAR 2025 Mid-Year Conference in Spokane, Washington united Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) professionals under the theme “Strength of the Salmon: Navigating, Adapting, and Thriving in Adversity.” Set at the Historic Davenport Hotel, the event celebrated cultural wisdom, resilience, and progress in Native American rehabilitation.

Conference Highlights
Opening Ceremonies: Led by the CANAR Executive Board and local Tribal leaders, the event opened with gratitude and recognition of the land’s Indigenous stewards and the enduring strength of Tribal communities.
Keynotes and General Sessions: Featured speakers addressed themes including financial resilience, legislative engagement, and the cultural heritage of the Spokane Tribe.

Breakout Sessions:
Topics included:
• Outreach to veterans and families
• Holistic TVR services
• Self-employment and entrepreneurship
• School-to-work transitions
• Support for individuals with justice involvement
• Tools for new TVR directors
• Indigenous mind-body wellness
Special Events and Cultural Programming:
• Fish Wars Documentary screening
• Glow Walk and “Rock Your Mocs” celebration
• Recovery Talking Circles each evening
• Banquet entertainment featuring Isaac Tonasket

Leadership and Networking:
Sessions and circles supported the development of emerging leaders and strengthened inter-program collaboration. The event also honored outstanding TVR staff and program contributions.
The Spokane Mid-Year Conference fostered connection, learning, and renewal for attendees committed to culturally grounded vocational rehabilitation across Indian Country.