2026 Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Annual Meeting
August 26, 2026
TIPD held our Annual Meeting in conjunction with the conference, offering both in-person and online options to join. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to join our 2026 Annual Meeting and participated in our small group conversations. Your thoughtful feedback affirmed that our Work Plan is aligned with the interests of our members and identified specific ways we can achieve the goals of our Division.
Click the link to view the formal Annual Meeting notes and keep scrolling for a more detailed summary of what we heard.
The 2026 Western Planner Conference was held August 26–28 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Planners, practitioners, and community leaders from across the region gathered in Sioux Falls for a joint conference hosted by the South Dakota Planners Association, Western Planners Association, and Tribal & Indigenous Planning Division.
Annual Meeting Summary
Community and Connection
TIPD members value the opportunity to connect with each other “face to face,” both in person and online. Our members may appreciate and benefit from more frequent opportunities to chat informally online.
Students and Emerging Planners
Approximately half of TIPD members are students. We need to engage our student members, help them understand possible career pathways, and support their learning and growth.
Communicating Out and Welcoming In
Many non-Tribal planners are unfamiliar with Tribal and Indigenous planning topics, such as how to engage Tribes in government-to-government relations or what “sovereignty” means. We want to spark the curiosity of non-Tribal planners and provide resources (webinars, conference sessions, best practices documents) to everyone who is interested in learning more.
Sharing Knowledge
Many members have example plans, digital resources, and lived experiences that others can learn from. These resources can be shared through the TIPD’s website, member webinars, and conversations between members.
Ideas for Action
- Regular online get-togethers that allow members to drop in and ask questions, share thoughts, or just hang out.
- Tribal planning sessions at every National Planning Conference, from introductory-level to in-depth topics.
- Mentorship program to connect students and emerging planners with experienced planners.
- Self-paced training materials to understand the basics of Tribal planning and consultation.
- Establish Tribal Liaisons for each APA Chapter.
Click to View Photos
Submit your Western Planner photos to secretary.tribal.planning@gmail.com.