Mon, Aug 31
|Bay Mills Resort & Casino
Great Lakes Regional Conference
Annual regional convention of Tribal fish & wildlife professionals, partners, and community members.
Time & Location
Aug 31, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT – Sep 03, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT
Bay Mills Resort & Casino, 11386 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI 49715, USA
Guests
About the event
2026 Great Lakes Regional Conference
Hosted by Bay Mills Indian Community
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS: This year's conference will feature training opportunities on Wildlife Health, Invasive Species, Grant Seeking, FERC Relicensing, and Conservation Law Enforcement. Concurrent sessions are planned on a variety of topics, including Wildlife, Fisheries, Wild Rice, Fire Management, Climate Resilience, and PFAS, with additional session topics welcomed.
Beyond the educational sessions, attendees can enjoy a Director's Reception, Traditional Feast, Awards Banquet and Silent Auction, live entertainment, golf tournament, Red Lake Walleye Feed, lacrosse game, natural resources tours, and more. Best of all, these activities are included with your conference registration at no additional cost.
REGISTRATION FEES:
NAFWS Member Registration Fee: $ 300.00
Non - Member Registration Fee: $ 350.00
Daily Rate: $ 200.00
Student Rate: $ 150.00
Extra Banquet Ticket: $ 50.00
Abstract Submissions due by August 14th: Submit HERE
Natural resource professionals and college students are invited to submit abstracts focused on research or projects related to: natural resource management, fish/wildlife biology, forestry, ecology, Indigenous Traditional Knowledge / Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Conservation Biology, Human-dimensions, Environmental, Conservation Law, Watershed Science, US Forest Service Projects, USDA APHIS Projects, Circle of Flight Projects, and GLRI Projects. We are looking for research projects that other Tribes would want to hear about. Please share your knowledge!
Great Lakes Regional Award Nominations due by August 14th: Submit HERE
We are currently seeking nominations for the four annual awards; these awards are very important for our region to recognize our peers and congratulate them on a job well done:
1.) Patricia Zakovek Conservation Officer of the Year Award
2.) Glen T. Miller Tribal Leadership Award, (For Chairpersons)
3.) William Eger Biologist of the Year Award
4.) Herman D. Lussier Great Lakes NAFWS Technician of the Year Award
DONATIONS FOR SILENT AUCTION, DOOR PRIZES AND RAFFLES:
Please do not forget to bring items for the silent auction, raffles and door prizes. All items will be used to support the Great Lakes Regional Chapter. There will also be rifle and card raffles, so please be generous in your donations. Suggested items are coats, t-shirts, hunting supplies, archery equipment or supplies, prints, baskets, wild rice, books, beadwork, arts and crafts, camping supplies, paintings, casino packets etc. Items can be provided at the start of the conference at the registration table.
Visit the GLRC Vendor page for more information and to register for booth space at the conference
SPONSORSHIPS:
The Society is seeking sponsors for morning/afternoon coffee breaks; please see the attached packet for information:
Please contact Regional Directors:
Donald J. Reiter: djreiter@mitw.org or manager90@frontiernet.net
Telephone: 715-701-3669
Terry Metoxen: tmetoxen@oneidanation.org
Telephone: 920-562-5704
GREAT LAKES NAFWS REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Great Lakes Region of NAFWS received funds to allocate for the NAFWS’ Scholarship. Our goal is to help Native American and/or Alaskan Native students pursue their career and educational goals in the field of natural resources, by providing financial assistance. The NAFWS National Scholarship amount is $1000.00 to $2000.00 and will be given to recipients for the Fall 2026. Please visit Scholarships | NAFWS to learn more and apply.
DRAFT Agenda (subject to change)
Workshop Agendas Monday, August 31, 2026, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Wildlife Health
Understanding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Engagement in Indian Country
Invasive Species
Information on PFA's
ROOM RESERVATIONS: Rooms Block Open until August 15, 2026 (Rates increase after)
Bay Mills Hotel and Casino: 1-888-422-9645
130 Rooms Available Under Block: Native American Fish and Wildlife Society/Great Lakes Region. The group code is BKG465.
Standard Room: $ 110.00/night plus tax
Non-Balcony Room: $ 160.00/night plus tax
Balcony Room: $ 160.00/night plus tax
For More Information
Contact NAFWS Great Lakes Regional Directors:
Donald J. Reiter: djreiter@mitw.org or manager90@frontiernet.net
Telephone: 715-701-3669
Terry Metoxen: tmetoxen@oneidanation.org
Telephone: 920-562-5704
For assistance registering or to validate Membership, contact Judith Mckenna, jmckenna@nafws.org.
Tickets
Great Lakes Conference
Sale ends
Aug 30, 11:00 AM EDT
From $50.00 to $350.00
$350.00
+$8.75 ticket service fee
$150.00
+$3.75 ticket service fee
$200.00
+$5.00 ticket service fee
Total
$0.00