Professional Development: Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) Training of Facilitators

Led by Jerry Crowshoe, director of Washington State University’s Native American Health Sciences, this 3-day professional development opportunity from Aug 12 – 14, 2025 teaches leaders to approach your organization and teams with the Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) curriculum, a culture-based planning approach widely used in many communities to drive your mission and goals. With a foundation in cultural values, lessons, and stories, the GONA approach applies to multiple settings, including schools and youth programs, businesses, and organizational strategic planning.

Participants will learn in-depth the four themes of GONA: Belonging, Mastery, Interdependence, and Generosity. This training will also provide participants with the opportunity to learn how to facilitate a GONA and use the GONA approach in their work. Whether you’re a tribal community leader, social worker, counselor, school staff, youth worker, organizational leadership, or executive, you will walk away with tools to create an impact in your community.