WEWIN 2026 brings Native women leaders together in Tulsa

(TULSA, Okla.) For more than 20 years, Native women have gathered at Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations (WEWIN) to connect, inspire and empower one another. 

This year, hundreds gathered July 26-29 at River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa for the 2026 WEWIN conference. The theme for 2026 was Sacred Connections: Embracing Heart, Body and Spirit.

WEWIN founder and co-president Susan Masten told us the annual event grew from her own experiences as a Native woman in leadership.

Masten became the second woman to serve as president of the National Congress of American Indians, from 1999 to 2001. She also served as Yurok Tribal Chairwoman from 1997 to 2003 and later served two terms as the tribal vice chairwoman.

“My male counterparts never had their qualifications questioned, never had any kind of qualities about them that were required, never had someone say they were too young for the position,” Masten said. “But I did get all of those.”

Masten said she often felt she had to be 10 times smarter and 100 times more prepared than her male counterparts. She was also scrutinized over things her male colleagues were not, such as the clothes she wore.

She recalled being 26 years old and negotiating fishing issues for the Yurok Tribe when she realized she was treated differently than the men around her “every step of the way”.

When Masten confided in her friends about it, she said, many of them related to how she was feeling and shared similar experiences. Their conversations gave her the idea to coordinate an event that brings Native women together from all across the country.

"That is exactly what we need,” Masten said. “We need for women to come together to uplift each other, to support each other and to have our backs even when we're not in the room.”

Masten founded WEWIN in 2004 to support Native women strengthening tribal cultures, sovereign leadership, and the destiny of future generations. 

This year’s conference included prayer circles, sessions led by Native women from a variety of professional experiences, and celebrations honoring Native women making a difference in Indian Country.

WEWIN’s bylaws emphasize the importance of Native cultural values like love, kindness, and bravery, values the organization encourages Native women in leadership to carry into their work. 

When Masten began thinking of like-minded Native women who could help build up the organization, she said one person immediately came to mind. 

“Of course, Melanie Benjamin has to be part of this founding board,” Masten said. 

Benjamin, who serves as WEWIN’s treasurer, was chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe from 2000 to 2024. 

Benjamin said one of her favorite things about WEWIN is its impact on women, especially witnessing how WEWIN attracts mentors and connects them with mentees.

“It's really fulfilling when people come and say, ‘Because of you, I did this and that,’ said  Benjamin. 

Supporting Native youth and setting them up for success is something Benjamin considers a professional duty. 

Benjamin said she also enjoys the opportunity to sit with women of all ages and share some of the best practices she has learned.

“You always follow your cultural values, and they're really the same across Indian Country,” Benjamin said. “What's so fulfilling as well is that we're doing what our ancestors wanted us to do, and then we're also preparing for the next generation.”

That intergenerational connection was reflected all throughout this year’s gathering.

In her opening message, Masten asked people to bring their whole selves to the conference - not just as professionals or advocates but as people carrying their heart’s calling, their body’s strength, and their spirit’s wisdom into every room they enter.

The 2026 WEWIN Warrior Women’s Circle honorees were Deborah Dotson, Kimberly Tehee, and Joy Harjo.

Another highlight of this year’s conference was the fashion show, which included designs from Redbird Renditions by McKenzie Loffer.

A first time WEWIN attendee, Loffer said she loved that the conference mixed traditional knowledge with modern values. 

As someone who works in the corporate world for her day job, Loffer said hearing from other Native women helped reassure her that she was not alone in her feelings, such as feeling drained and burned out. 

“Everyone shares their experience of working in all these different positions and many of us are struggling with the same thing right now,” said Loffer.

She said she recommends WEWIN to other Native women, both for the support and the networking opportunities.

For Loffer, the conference was an ideal opportunity to showcase her fashion brand, which is designed for women in corporate jobs who want to pay homage to their Native identities. 

Loffer and other designers also featured multi-generational models in the fashion show.

“It is their time to shine on stage,” Loffer said. “I want them to have an outfit on that they feel confident in.”

That sense of community also shapes how Loffer does business.

“I truly believe you can't do it solely for profit,” she said. “You have to have your heart and community there. If not, what is the point?”

Masten is already looking ahead to WEWIN 2027, which will be held in New Mexico. While the details have not yet been announced, she said she knows it will leave Native women feeling valued and inspired.

“You're loved and you're important,” Masten said. “You have special gifts. You need to finetune those so that you can do whatever you can do.”