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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 13th, 2026
Online Auction
November 9-13, 2026
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.
Last year's Recap
22nd Annual Gala and Auction
Thank you again for an amazing 22nd Annual NAYA Gala and Auction – it was a wonderful night of Weaving an Abundant 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 Gala photo gallery here and here!
We celebrated with a beautiful blessing from Cowlitz Tribal Elder and Spiritual Leader Tanna Engdahl (Cowlitz), powerful remarks from NAYA CEO Oscar Arana (Chichimeca), and incredible storytelling by 2012 Early College Academy graduate Jenni Pedro Velasquez (Indigenous Mayan, Guatemalan-American).
We also enjoyed performances by Glenn Stanton (Cherokee) and the Six String Guillotine alongside dancers Davineekaht White Elk (Blackfoot, Ute, Carrizo) and Sawarani White Elk (Northern Ute, Blackfoot, Carizo)! MC and NAYA Board Member Zeke Smith (Osage) and long-time NAYA Auctioneer Johnna Wells brought the evening home, making this another incredible year!
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 51 years of impact for Native youth, families, and Elders.
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.
Weaving an abundant future!
NAYA, like the community we are proud to serve, is Youth Centered, Family Driven, and Elder Guided.
Thank you to our 2025 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.
To see our list of generous sponsorship benefits, click the Learn More button below. To become a sponsor, write to NAYAgala@nayapdx.org to get started or click the Become a Sponsor button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
This year's Gala will be Friday, November 13, 2026. The NAYA Gala typically takes place the 2nd Friday in November. Sign up for the NAYA newsletter to be the first to be notified about NAYA Gala news!
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.
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We honor those who contribute to NAYA's service to the Native American community.
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