IAP2 USA Grand Canyon Chapter Webinar: Building Trust and Meaningful Partnerships with Native Nations

Join the IAP2 Grand Canyon Chapter for an essential webinar on elevating public participation through respectful, culturally grounded engagement with Native nations. Centered around the vital principle—to "build the relationship before you need it"—this session offers a deep dive into the practical and historical dynamics of intergovernmental collaboration and community outreach.

Featured presenter Nathan Pryor brings invaluable experience as a Special Projects Administrator for the Maricopa Association of Governments, an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation, and the former chair of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs. Drawing on years of government relations work in and with Tribal communities, Nathan will provide practical guidance on bridging gaps and fostering genuine collaboration.

Whether you work in urban planning, public involvement, government relations, or community advocacy, this webinar will equip you with the perspective needed to approach Native nations engagement with context, humility, and intent.

When: September 15, 2026

Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM MST.

Presenter: Nathan Pryor, Special Projects Administrator for the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG)

Nathan Pryor is a special projects administrator for the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). MAG is the metropolitan planning organization and council of governments for the Phoenix, Arizona region with planning responsibilities to over 4.8 million people in the areas of multimodal surface transportation, air quality, and human services. MAG has 33 member agencies that include 28 cities/towns, 3 Native nations, and 2 counties.

Nathan has a career in government relations managing state and federal affairs. In his current role, he coordinates MAG’s services and programs to member agencies with emphasis to towns and Native nations.

Nathan’s career in public policy started at the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management and Policy, a component of the Morris K. Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy. At the Native Nations Institute, he worked as a research analyst and program coordinator examining Indigenous governance and economic development in the United States and Canada.

He later worked for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe where he was responsible for government relations, communications, and served as interim director for development services. Mr. Pryor served as the chair of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs from 2012 to 2015.

Nathan holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Regional Development. Both degrees are from The University of Arizona. Mr. Pryor had a 15-year career as an apprentice, journeyman cook, and chef. Nathan concluded his professional cooking career at the Arizona Inn. Today he continues his passion for cooking by learning about and exploring the Indigenous foodways of the American Southwest and México.

Nathan Pryor is an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation.