Each year, the Native American Bar Association of DC (NABA-DC) hosts a holiday party and awards ceremony in early December. The awards ceremony takes place during the holiday party and recognizes individuals who make significant contributions to the Washington, D.C. Indian law community and the broader Indian law field. Awardees are nominated by the community and selected by the Board.

This year's 2026 Annual Holiday Party and Awards Ceremony will take place on December 11, 2026, from 6-9 p.m. ET and we will announce the inaugural Academic and Professional Enrichment Program recipient(s). Advanced registration is required.

Nominations and Awards

The following awards are announced at the annual holiday party and awards ceremony each year:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is in recognition of an individual who has made significant contributions to Federal Indian law and has made positive impacts within the Native American community.
• Significant Contribution in Indian Law Award: This award is in recognition of an individual who has made a significant contribution(s) to Federal Indian law.
• Excellence in Government Service Award: This award is in recognition of an individual who works or has recently worked in the federal government and has made a positive impact on Federal Indian law.
• Dawn S. Baum Award for Excellence in Mentoring: This award is named in honor of Dawn Baum who has uplifted and mentored countless Native American and Federal Indian law attorneys during her lifetime, and was a cherished member of the Indian law community. This award is in recognition of an individual who dedicates time to mentor the next generation of lawyers.

Nominations for 2026 are open! Please fill out this form to submit your nominations by 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Silent Auction

We hold a silent auction during the annual holiday party and awards ceremony and the proceeds have historically been donated to a charitable cause of NABA-DC's choice. 

With the launch of our Academic and Professional Enrichment Program in collaboration with the National Native American Bar Association in 2023, proceeds of the silent auction will go towards the Academic and Professional Enrichment Program's scholarship. The first recipient(s) of this scholarship will be announced at the 2026 Annual Holiday Party and Awards Ceremony.

NABA-DC accepts donated items from the community for the silent auction each year. To donate an item for 2026, please fill out this form. All items must be received before or at the 2026 Annual Holiday and Awards Ceremony.

The silent auction will close promptly at 8:45 p.m. ET to allow the highest bidders to collect their items.

Agenda

6:00 p.m. ET: Doors open (registration will be checked at the door)

6:15 p.m. ET: Silent Auction begins

7:00 p.m. ET: Opening remarks, and announcement 2026 Awards Ceremony and 2026 Academic and Professional Enrichment Scholarship Recipient(s)

8:45 p.m. ET: Silent Auction ends 

9:00 p.m. ET: 2026 Annual Holiday Party and Awards Ceremony ends

Registration

Registration is now open to attend the 2026 Annual Holiday Party and Awards Ceremony, you may register here.

Attendance is free but tickets are limited. Advanced registration is required to attend the Holiday Party and Awards Ceremony. 

Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!

Eagle

Gold

Silver

Turquoise

Interested in sponsoring this event? Please email nabadc@nativeamericanbar.org for more information!