The program after the welcome was followed by the introduction speech by the Colorado Indian Tribes and remarks by Attorney General Rob Bonta. There was a keynote address from Gerald Clarke, who is the Cahuila professor at the University of California Riverside in Ethics Studies.
On Thursday, October 8, 2026, the California Annual Awards Dinner was held at the Agua Caliente Casino. The introduction was held with Bird Singing Kawiya Bird singers, and there was a talk given by the vice tribal chairman of Agua Caliente.
The first award was for outstanding accomplishment. It was awarded to Devon Lee Lomayesva (Judge Youth Court) of the IPAY Nation of Santa Ysabel. She structured a youth court with an emphasis on stopping recidivation. She is currently the chief judge of the Juvenile Dependency Court.
The second award was for Outstanding Young Attorney. Anna Hoag of the Bishop Paiute Tribe was awarded this honor for having served as a fellow at California Legal Services in their Bishop, California office in 2017. She helped rewrite the tribal constitution and started the tribal school, which is a thriving part of the Paiute Tribe today.
