This past August, ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi had the incredible honor of attending the 50th Anniversary of the ANA (Administration for Native Americans) Community Partner Convening in Alexandria, Virginia—just a stone’s throw from Washington, DC.

The event, themed Our Nations, Our Journey, felt particularly special as it was ANA’s first in-person gathering since the global pandemic, marking five decades of transformative work within Native communities across the U.S. and Pacific Islands.

For those of us at ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi, this convening wasn’t just about attending another conference—it was about sharing, learning, and connecting with like-minded organizations and individuals who are all part of a greater mission: uplifting and empowering Native peoples.

OUR MOMENT TO SHINE: PRESENTING AS AN EMERGING NATIVE CDFI

One of the highlights for our team was the opportunity to present during a workshop focused on Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). We proudly shared ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi’s journey as an Emerging Native CDFI, spotlighting our programs and the ways we are supporting our native community through financial education, small business loans, and community-based economic development. Our video presentation gave an in-depth look at how we’re paving the way for sustainable financial futures for Native Hawaiians, and it was exciting to see how many attendees were inspired by our story.

Missed our presentation? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Watch the video here, and catch up on all the details.

DISCOVERING NEW PATHS AND ALLIES

Beyond our own workshop, the convening was packed with workshops that were both thought-provoking and deeply resonant. From Native Early Childhood Development to Food Sovereignty & Agri-Business the range of topics reflected the diversity of issues facing Native communities today. One of the sessions that really struck a chord with us was The Healing Journey of Language Preservation and Reclamation—the dedication to revitalizing Indigenous languages, and healing from trauma, was powerful and a reminder of the cultural treasures we must continue to protect.

We also had the chance to attend workshops that touched on Art & Space: Curating and Cultivating Native Heritage, where discussions centered on how we can continue to preserve and share our stories through art. The convening highlighted the intersection of tradition and innovation.

CONNECTING BEYOND THE SESSIONS: THE POWER OF NETWORKING

If there’s one thing we truly appreciated, it was the personal connections we made with fellow attendees. The exhibition hall was buzzing with energy, as organizations shared their incredible work and innovative projects. It was inspiring to see the important initiatives that other grantees are spearheading within their own native communities. Whether through sharing a handshake or a selfie (we definitely took a few!), we felt a true sense of camaraderie and solidarity among the diverse native organizations from across the U.S. and the Pacific Region.

These conversations went beyond surface-level networking. We learned about new approaches to common challenges, shared advice, and built relationships that we know will continue long after the convening ended. Plus, we left with an impressive stack of materials from other organizations that we can’t wait to dive into!

A SWEET TREAT FROM HAWAIʻI: HIRO’S COOKIES GIVEAWAY

Of course, no event would be complete without a little aloha spirit! We were thrilled to share a delicious taste of home, courtesy of one of our very own ʻāinapreneurs, Hiro’s Cookies. Attendees couldn’t resist the locally made treats, and they were a huge hit throughout the event.

As a fun way to spread the love, we also hosted a special giveaway, offering up two prize bags that included a bundle of Hiro’s Cookies along with a Starbucks gift card—because who doesn’t love coffee with their cookies?

We’re excited to announce that our lucky winners were Justina from Kotlik, Alaska and Kandis with the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project!

A big mahalo to everyone who participated, and congrats to our winners—we hope you enjoyed the goodies!

A VISUAL JOURNEY WITH SEE IN COLORS

Another standout moment came in the form of a very special artist from seeincolors.com. Throughout the event, she created graphic recordings—a visual form of notetaking that synthesized the key themes from the workshops into stunning, hand-drawn summaries. Each illustration captured the heart of the conversations, blending pictures and text into art that was not only beautiful but incredibly meaningful.

We’ll be sharing photos of these visual masterpieces with you—they’re a fantastic way to relive some of the key moments from the convening and reflect on the powerful messages that were shared. Each artwork truly brought the words spoken in the workshops to life in a whole new way!

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF ANA’S IMPACT

As we reflect on this memorable event, we can’t help but be reminded of the incredible legacy of the ANA itself. For the past 50 years, ANA has made investments that have changed the trajectory of Native communities in the U.S., Alaska, Hawaiʻi, and across the Pacific Islands. Through its support, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and indigenous peoples of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands have been able to reclaim their cultures, foster economic growth, and create lasting change.

The 50th Anniversary Community Partner Convening wasn’t just a celebration—it was a recommitment to the work that still lies ahead. As ChangeMakers Hawaiʻi, we left feeling energized, inspired, and more determined than ever to continue our mission of building a brighter future for our native community.

Thank you to everyone who made the event so unforgettable, and a special shoutout to the ANA for creating such a powerful space for Native organizations to come together and share our stories.

A hui hou (until next time), mahalo!