.png)
naya Gala & Auction
The Annual Gala and Auction is NAYA’s signature fundraiser, raising critical unrestricted funds for our mission, all the more important during these challenging times. Together we can continue to provide the educational, housing, family support, and economic development services that our community needs.
NAYA GALA AND AUCTIOn
Join us for the largest celebration of Native American Heritage Month in the Pacific Northwest! The Annual NAYA Gala and Auction bring together Tribal and community leaders, partners, elected officials, and friends in an evening of culture, community, and celebration.
Guests will enjoy a traditional Native-inspired meal, special performances, and live and online auctions featuring exquisite Native art from across the nation. Proceeds from the Gala provide critical unrestricted funds that sustain NAYA’s mission and services for our youth and families.
Live Gala and Auction
November 14th, 2025
Online Auction
November 10-14, 2025
ABOUT THE NAYA GALA AND AUCTION
NAYA’s Gala and Auction is our signature fundraising event, supporting the educational, housing, family support, and economic development services our community relies on. Your generosity ensures that NAYA can continue fostering self-determination and prosperity for Native youth, families, and Elders across the Portland Metro region.
Thank you to our sponsors
TYEE “LEADER” | Presenting Sponsor
CHAKO KUNAMOKST “GATHER TOGETHER” | Reception Sponsor
POTLATCH “TO GIVE”
ILLAHEE “SUSTAINING LAND”
TILLICUM “RELATIONS” sponsor
kloshee nanitch "to take care'
reception wine sponsor
wine sponsor
print sponsor
Last year's Recap
21st Annual Gala and Auction
Thank you again for an amazing 21st Annual NAYA Gala and Auction – it was a wonderful night to Reclaim our Past and Cultivate our Future.
The evening was filled with joyful reunions, great friends, wonderful conversations, delicious food and drink, and beautiful Native art–we could not have asked for more!
You can relive the excitement by viewing the 2024 Gala photo gallery here
We celebrated with a beautiful blessing from Oregon State Representative and NAYA Director of Family Services Tawna Sanchez (Shoshone-Bannock/Ute), powerful remarks from NAYA CEO Oscar Arana (Chichimeca), and incredible storytelling by 2014 Early College Academy graduate Lakota Raven BearsGhost Couturier (Mandan, Arikara, Hidatsa from the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold; Assiniboine Sioux, Nez Perce).
We also enjoyed electric performances by VMA award-winning artists Doc Native (Seminole) and Spencer Battiest (Seminole), alongside dancers Davineekaht White Elk (Blackfoot, Ute, Carrizo), Keeli Littleleaf (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and a Descendant of the Piikani Nation Blackfoot from Brockette, Canada), and Kenneth Shirley (Navajo)! MC and NAYA Board Member Zeke Smith (Osage) and long-time NAYA Auctioneer Johnna Wells brought the evening home—making this another record-breaking year!
We did it! With your help, we surpassed our fundraising goal, raising more than $800,000 for NAYA’s wraparound services that impact the lives of more than 10,000 people annually.
As the evening concluded, we left the Portland Art Museum with our hearts full–energized to continue serving our community with the love and support you gave us that beautiful evening!
Together we continue to provide the educational, housing, family support, and economic development services that our community needs. With your help, we are moving our community towards self-determination and prosperity. Thank you again for joining us to celebrate 50 years of impact for Native youth and families.
Founded by parent and elder volunteers in 1974, our history is one of great vision, hopes, and dreams for our community. Gaining our 501(c)(3) status in 1994, we expanded our programming and services to better serve our community’s needs.
Reclaiming our past, Cultivating our future.
2024 marks NAYA’s 50th Anniversary! We invite you to be a part of our story as we look back to inform our future and celebrate where we are today. NAYA has audacious goals for our region’s Native American community, providing culturally specific services and a lifetime continuum of programs serving everyone from infants to elders. We are a family of multiple tribes and individuals who are rooted in sustaining tradition, coming together in reclamation, revitalization, and self-determined prosperity.
NAYA, like the community we are proud to serve, is Youth Centered, Family Driven, and Elder Guided.
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors
become a gala sponsor
We invite you to join our community of sponsors. Your sponsorship is an investment in our Native community and the robust, innovative, wraparound programming that helps our community thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
The NAYA Gala is typically the 2nd Friday in November. Sign up for the NAYA newsletter to be the first to be notified.
The NAYA online auction goes live the week of the Gala and runs Monday – Friday, the day of the Gala. Sign up for the NAYA newsletter to be notified when the auction is live.
We invite our guests to come dressed in their traditional and/or formal best. It’s a fun tradition to take photos at our “Step and Repeat” photo booth that will be shared online.
donate today
We honor those who contribute to NAYA's service to the Native American community.
STAY CONNECTED!
Trust us to send you resources, event invitations, and stories of community impact.