favoriteJoin us for the 41st Annual NAC Parade! Saturday, Oct. 11th at 9am, Oak St. & 3rd. -> Learn more!
Saturday, October 11th, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Parade Route: Starts at 3rd St. & Oak St. → Ends at Indian School Rd.
We’re thrilled to announce the 41st Annual Native American Connections Parade—and this year, we’re turning up the celebration with a youth-focused theme: “The Future is Ours”!
Register Your Group Sign up by Sept. 26th!
Interested in learning more, sponsoring our parade, or volunteering? Connect with our parade team.
This year's event is all about empowering our youth—elevating their voices, honoring their strength, and celebrating the power of their dreams. We believe our young people aren’t just tomorrow’s leaders—they’re showing up, speaking out, and leading today.
We’re going all in to make this year’s parade our biggest and brightest yet—with community floats, a Grand Marshal, and a few magical surprises still in the works! We’re also finalizing a panel of amazing judges, and we hope you’ll come out to witness the joy, power, and brilliance of our community in action.
Whether you're marching, cheering, or simply showing up in solidarity—come be part of a movement that celebrates culture, history, and our youth-driven future. We can’t wait to see you there!
Do you know a Native or Indigenous youth who's showing up, leading with heart, and shaping the future? We’re celebrating one outstanding young leader (ages 17–25) at this year’s NAC Parade on October 11, 2025 and we need YOUR help to find them. Submit a nomination for the Future Leaders Recognition Award presented by Native American Connections!
How to Nominate: click the button below to fill out our nomination form; make sure to complete the short essay component!
Deadline: Sept 15, 2025
Eligible youth must be Arizona-based, connected to tribal communities, and passionate about culture, leadership, or service.
See full eligibility in link above. Call 602-254-3247 ext. 1053 (Crystal James) or stop by Native American Connections, 3216 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ for a printed form if needed.
Saturday, October 11th, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center | 300 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85012
Join us after the NAC Parade for the PISVC’s annual Open House at Steele Indian School Park! This year’s theme, “The Future is Ours,” honors Native youth by celebrating their voices, creativity, and leadership. Bring the whole family to enjoy a free Youth Carnival featuring games, prizes, community booths, and more!
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM join us for a special Q&A session with Miss Indian Arizona and other pageant contestants, where they’ll answer youth-submitted questions and share what it takes to represent their communities with pride, purpose, and cultural leadership.
Carnival activities from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, with an exciting grand prize raffle at 2:30 PM.
Visit our Resource Room to meet youth-focused orgs like ASU American Indian Studies, Three Precious Miracles and so many more!
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Miss Indian AZ Talk + Youth Q&A Panel
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Youth Carnival Open – Games, Booths, Food
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Final Raffle & Grand Prize Drawing + Thank You
The Annual Native American Connections Parade is a Native American Recognition Days (NARD) event, a celebration of Native American heritage and culture, highlighting a new theme each year that embodies resiliency and community. Is your organization hosting an event for Native American Recognition Days? Get your event in the NARD Card and invite the Phoenix community to your event! Please register your event by August 29th!
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