Call for Speakers (Proposals)

Conference Tracks

Presentations should fit within at least one of the following conference track areas:

• Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drugs—This track focuses on innovative programs, interventions, studies, and policy analyses that address prevention, treatment, or recovery, with a focus on evidence-based practices and community impacts.
• Environmental Health & Emergency Management–This track explores the relationship between people and their environment, emphasizing how physical, chemical, and biological factors influence behaviors that prevent disease and promote healthy, sustainable communities. Proposals are encouraged that highlight innovative strategies, research, and programs advancing environmental health and emergency management efforts. Topics may include preparedness and response planning, recovery and mitigation initiatives, interagency coordination, capacity building, and the development of strong community partnerships that enhance public health and resilience.
• Culturally Adapted Public Health—In this track, presenters will share successful evidence-based public health programs that have been adapted to include cultural practices to better serve American Indian populations. Presenters will also offer practical methods for participants to incorporate cultural adaptations into existing programs as well as adaptations to evaluation in order to effectively monitor program implementation and progress as well as report program outcomes.
• Gender-Based Health–This track focuses on the intersection of gender and health, addressing the unique health challenges, disparities, and innovations in improving health across gender identities. We welcome research on policy, clinical practices, and community interventions that aim to improve gender-specific health outcomes and promote health equity.  
•  Intergenerational Health— In this track, presentations should highlight the various ways in which one’s health and health behaviors can be affected by family history and culture, and how current health practices could potentially influence future generations. These terms can be interpreted broadly, to include both physical and mental health, implicit and explicit behavior, and those beyond the traditional nuclear family. 
• Oral Health—This track focuses on improving oral health in tribal communities through Indigenous approaches and traditional practices. Topics include community-driven initiatives, integrating oral health with general health services, and culturally responsive care models. This track will address disparities, social determinants of health, and innovative care delivery in rural areas. In addition, this will highlight policy, advocacy, and collaborative efforts in public health and education aimed at enhancing oral health outcomes for Indigenous populations.
• Data/ Epidemiology–This track explores the role of data and epidemiology in supporting tribal health, focusing on data sovereignty, culturally informed practices, and ethical data sharing. It addresses building effective surveillance systems, identifying health disparities, and using data to drive community-led public health initiatives. 

Proposal Requirements

• Proposals may be either a 45-minute Breakout session or a Poster presentation.
• Proposal must be submitted through the online submission portal. Faxed, emailed or mailed abstract submissions will not be accepted.
• Each proposal is limited to a maximum of 250 words.
• Be relevant to Tribal public health and American Indian/Alaska Native populations.
• Provide three learning objectives.
• A short bio for each presenter.
• Provide a high-quality headshot.
• Presenters may not market products or services during their presentation.
• Accepted proposals will be posted on the conference website and the Whova app.
• A Whova account is required for submission.

• Conference track: please indicate which track your abstract most closely aligns.

Proposal Review and Selection

Proposals will be reviewed and scored by a Proposal Review committee. Proposal Authors (accepted, waitlisted, or declined) will be notified by November of 2026. Reviews will not be forwarded to proposal authors.

Proposals will be selected based on the scoring rubric criteria, which include relevance to the conference theme, tribal public health, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations.

Poster Presentations

• Proposals accepted for poster presentations will present during the poster presentation session of the conference. Authors of accepted proposals will be informed of specific times and additional information.
• Poster presenters will be required to set up and take down their posters in the exhibit area. A poster board and thumb tacks will be provided.
• The poster should be no more than 48” wide by 36” tall. Posters will hang from the display boards with thumb tacks, which will be provided at each poster station. Be sure that your poster contains font size big enough so that readers can read the poster from at least 3 feet away.
• Select posters will be accepted for in-person presentations. Poster presenters may not be selected for in-person space, but will be offered virtual space on the event management system, Whova.
• Detailed information, including a set up and take down schedule, will be provided to all poster presenters after the acceptance notification.