National Indian Council on Aging, Inc.

10/07/2026

Save the Date!

Join NICOA on November 18, 2026 | 10:00–11:00 AM (MDT) for Estate and Advance Care Planning in Indian Country with Professor Helen E. Burtis.

Learn how wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance care directives can help ensure Native individuals’ wishes are respected while supporting the well-being of families and communities.

• Free & open to the public
• Designed for the Aging Network, caregivers, advocates, and policymakers

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4xZYHFg

10/07/2026

Last day to submit public comments!

10/07/2026

Please share this info with Navajo elders.

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗥𝗙 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund (FRF) Office is sharing updated information for Diné families seeking to apply for FRF Hardship Assistance.

The FRF Office will hold several in-person application intake events throughout October and November:

* Oct. 7–8 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. — Tuba City RBDO, Western Regional Business Development Office
* Oct. 9 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m. — Birdsprings Chapter
* Oct. 13 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. — Nahata Dziil Chapter
* Oct. 14 | 8–11 a.m. — Fort Defiance Chapter
* Oct. 14 | 12–5 p.m. — Fort Defiance Senior Center
* Oct. 15 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. — St. Michaels Chapter
* Oct. 29 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. — Chinle NTU, 2-Story Building
* Nov. 4 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. — Huerfano Chapter
* Nov. 6 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. — Churchrock Chapter

Additional locations are being confirmed and will be announced as they become available.

Applications are also being accepted by phone and in person at both the FRF suboffice and headquarters. Please note that the FRF headquarters has stairs, while the suboffice does not.

Community members are encouraged to share this information with relatives, elders and others who may need assistance with the application process.

For questions or additional information, contact the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Office at (928) 810-9212 or (928) 309-5535.

10/06/2026

New Mexico residents, read more about the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

The impacts of radiation exposure have affected families and communities in New Mexico for generations. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was created to provide compensation to eligible individuals who developed certain illnesses after exposure related to uranium mining, nuclear weapons testing, and other covered activities.

If you or a family member believe you may qualify for RECA benefits, resources and assistance may be available to help you understand the application process and eligibility requirements.

Learn more about available programs and support at . Visit: www.nmhealth.org/about/phd/phdo/reca/

10/05/2026

GOOD NEWS: Today, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge involving the Indian Child Welfare Act, upholding protections for Native children and Tribal sovereignty.

This comes just three years after NARF successfully defended ICWA before the Court against a sweeping challenge in Haaland v. Brackeen.

Today’s decision leaves these vital protections intact. NARF continues to defend ICWA so Native children can grow up with the family ties, cultural connections, and sense of belonging they deserve.

09/30/2026

09/30/2026

Today, NICOA honors Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Many of the elders we serve today were children during the era of Indian boarding schools. Some experienced boarding schools themselves. Others carried the impacts through their families, communities, languages, cultures, and generations.

Today, we honor the Survivorsand remember the children who were taken from their families and communities, including those that never made it home.

As an organization serving Native elders, we recognize these histories are not distant. They are part of the lived experiences and memories carried by many of the elders in our communities.

We remember.
We listen to survivors.
We honor the children.
And we carry their stories forward.

September 30 | Orange Shirt Day

The Indian Health Services offers a Tribal Boarding School Toolkit for Healing, developed to support healing and wellness related to the intergenrational and historical trauma of the boarding school era, access the toolkit here:https://www.npaihb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NPAIHB_Thrive_BoardinSchoolToolkit_508_FINAL_revised.pdf

Call or Text 988
Available 24/7 for immediate crisis support.

09/29/2026

Every story has the power to inspire, educate, and create change. 🪶

The National Indian Council on Aging's (NICOA) Your Story Matters project is seeking 5-6 additional Native elders with disabilities who reside in New Mexico, representing any Tribal Nation, to share their experiences, perspectives, and journeys through storytelling.

Help us amplify Native voices and lived experiences.

Learn more or express your interest: nicoa.org/storytelling
📧 [email protected]
📞 505-292-2001 ext. 1500

Native elders we want to hear from you.

NICOA's Your Story Matters initiative is gathering stories about aging, disability, culture, community, connection, and what it means to age well in Native communities.

We're looking for a few more elders who are willing to share their experiences and perspectives. Honorariums available for your time and participation in our project.

Know an elder who might be interested?
Contact us and we will reach out to them or you may share the link with them:
https://www.nicoa.org/storytelling

09/25/2026

Environmental changes can affect more than the land. They can impact Native elder's health, traditional foodways, plant medicines, cultural practices, and connection to land.

Our Environmental Impacts on Traditional Practices & Elder Well-Being fact sheet explores these connections and ways communities can support elder well-being.

Read the fact sheet:https://www.nicoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Environmental-Impacts-on-Traditional-Practices-Elder-Well-Being-2026.pdf

For more on preparedness, watch "Emergency Readiness & Preparedness for Tribal Communities with Ronald Hall."

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v96hNI5msUM?si=dtznPPYreg1qqaIn