Friends - We hope you can join us for a special call this week with Congressman Cedric Richmond, White House Director of Public Engagement, taking place Thursday, 3/18, at 12pm ET. RSVP here to attend. On the call, we'll provide a summary of the American Rescue Plan - President Biden's historic anti-poverty bill, which he signed into law last week - and what it means for you and your communities. We hope you can make it, and please invite interested colleagues and friends!
If you missed last week's call, you can view the recording here. And, if you have colleagues, community members, and others who are interested in getting our updates, they can do so by signing up here.
We look forward to seeing you Thursday!
All best,
White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team
–
The Department of the Treasury is hosting two consultations on the allocation amounts reserved for tribal governments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act last March.
These sessions are related specifically to The Shawnee Tribe v. Yellen, Case No. 20-cv-1999 (D.D.C.). Additional consultations related to the pending American Rescue Plan currently being considered in Congress will occur separately in April.
Consultation Details:
Tribal Governments:
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30 pm EST
Link: Register Here
More Information: Dear Tribal Leader Letter Invitation to Consultation on CRF Tribal Distribution Methodology
Alaska Native and Alaska Native Village Corporations
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021
Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Link: Register Here
More information: ANC and ANVC Invitation to Consultation on CRF Tribal Distribution Methodology
Public comments can be sent to tribal.consult@treasury.gov no later than 11:59 AKDT on Friday, March 19, 2021. For any other questions or concerns, please contact Ellie Beckett, Policy Communications Specialist, at 202-841-3373 or ellie@nafoa.org.
–
Attend on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month (register)
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET / 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT / Noon-1:00 p.m. MT
11:00 a.m-Noon PT /10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. AK
Contact: ihsECHO@salud.unm.edu
The IHS COVID-19 sessions convene IHS, tribal and urban area providers from around the U.S., many working in rural areas with limited resources, in crucial real-time, peer-to-peer clinical learning.
IHS national clinical consultants for Emergency Medicine and Infectious Disease present and lead discussions on topics including
This allows local providers and national experts to discuss urgent focus areas and new developments in COVID-19 screening, treatment, and management of post-infection syndromes.
The sessions occur on the first and third Thursday of each month and include a clinical update by the IHS Chief Clinical Consultant for Infectious Disease, an update from IHS headquarters, case presentations and a brief didactic presentation.
To submit a Covid-19 case for review and recommendations, please use the Case Presentation Form.
–
The Department of the Treasury is hosting two consultations on the allocation amounts reserved for tribal governments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act last March.
These sessions are related specifically to The Shawnee Tribe v. Yellen, Case No. 20-cv-1999 (D.D.C.). Additional consultations related to the pending American Rescue Plan currently being considered in Congress will occur separately in April.
Consultation Details:
Tribal Governments:
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021
Time: 1:00pm - 2:30 pm EST
Link: Register Here
More Information: Dear Tribal Leader Letter Invitation to Consultation on CRF Tribal Distribution Methodology
Alaska Native and Alaska Native Village Corporations
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021
Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm EST
Link: Register Here
More information: ANC and ANVC Invitation to Consultation on CRF Tribal Distribution Methodology
Public comments can be sent to tribal.consult@treasury.gov no later than 11:59 AKDT on Friday, March 19, 2021. For any other questions or concerns, please contact Ellie Beckett, Policy Communications Specialist, at 202-841-3373 or ellie@nafoa.org.
–
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) seeks comments on the development, coordination, and implementation of a food purchase and distribution program intended to provide additional aid to nonprofits serving Americans in need of nutrition assistance. If implemented, the program will serve as a successor to the temporary food box purchase program created in April 2020 in response to the rapidly developing crisis within the food supply chain and increased joblessness due to COVID19. While the food box effort served some communities well, it faced challenges in others.
Written Comments: Written comments can be submitted through midnight ET on March 31, 2021, via online portal or by email to AMSCOVIDStimulus@usda.gov or Tribal.Relations@usda.gov. We welcome feedback from all interested parties, and we appreciate early response.
For More Information: Additional information is available on the AMS website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/ams-covid-stimulus Questions regarding the listening session can be directed to AMSCOVIDStimulus@usda.gov or Tribal.Relations@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
Statutory Background: Sec. 751 of the COVID Stimulus Package, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, provides no less than $1.5B to purchase food and agricultural products, including seafood, fresh produce, dairy, and meat products, to distribute to individuals in need, including through delivery to nonprofit organizations that can receive, store, and distribute food items, and for grants and loans to small or midsized food processors or distributors, seafood processing facilities and processing vessels, farmers markets, producers, or other organizations to respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against COVID–19.
–
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) seeks comments regarding the development, coordination and implementation of grant programs to support food processing, distribution, seafood processing, farmers markets, and producers and other businesses identified in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The legislation directs USDA to use these grant funds to help businesses respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against COVID-19.
Written Comments: Written Comments can be submitted through midnight ET on March 31, 2021, via online portal or by email to AMSCOVIDStimulus@usda.gov or Tribal.Relations@usda.gov. We welcome feedback from all interested parties, and we appreciate early response. Additional information is available on the AMS website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/ams-covid-stimulus.
For Further Information: Questions regarding the listening session can be directed to AMSCOVIDStimulus@usda.gov or Tribal.Relations@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
Statutory Background: Sec. 751 of the COVID Stimulus Package, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, provides no less than $1.5B to purchase food and agricultural products, including seafood, fresh produce, dairy, and meat products, to distribute to individuals in need, including through delivery to nonprofit organizations that can receive, store, and distribute food items, and for grants and loans to small or midsized food processors or distributors, seafood processing facilities and processing vessels, farmers markets, producers, or other organizations to respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against COVID–19.
–
Under the March 13, 2020, Coronavirus (COVID-19) nationwide emergency declaration and subsequent major disaster declarations for COVID-19, tribal, state, local, and territorial government entities and certain private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for assistance under the FEMA Public Assistance Program.
On January 21, 2021, the President issued the “Memorandum to Extend Federal Support to Governors’ Use of the National Guard to Respond to COVID-19 and to Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States,” which authorized FEMA to provide funding to Public Assistance applicants, including tribes, for the safe opening and operation of eligible facilities (e.g., eligible schools, child-care facilities, non-congregate shelters, domestic violence shelters, transit systems, and other eligible applicants). Such assistance “may include funding for the provision of personal protective equipment and disinfecting services and supplies.”
FEMA is developing an interim policy, COVID-19 Pandemic: Safe Opening and Operation Work Eligible for Public Assistance, which defines the framework, policy details, and requirements for determining the eligibility of work and costs incurred to facilitate the safe opening and operation of eligible facilities. FEMA funding under this interim policy will be provided for costs incurred between January 21, 2021, to September 30, 2021 and will be provided at 100% Federal funding.
FEMA is seeking tribal input on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Safe Opening and Operation Work Eligible for Public Assistance (Interim), FEMA FP Policy 104-21-0003. Therefore, FEMA is hosting a teleconference tribal consultation session to receive input from tribal nations on this interim policy. This consultation session will take place on Friday, March 19, 2021, 3:00 to 4:00 ET.
During the event, FEMA staff will provide an overview of key provisions of the proposed interim policy, and the delivery process and procedures that will be utilized for implementation.
Teleconference Information:
To join the teleconference tribal consultation session, please dial (800) 458-4121; confirmation code: 766-0603. To ensure the conference begins in a timely manner, please dial in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start time of the session, which is at 3:00 ET.
Written Comments:
Questions and written comments may be directed to the Public Assistance Division at fema-recovery-pa-policy@fema.dhs.gov or through FEMA Regional Tribal Liaisons until Monday, March 24, 2021. Contact information for FEMA Tribal Liaisons may be found at www.fema.gov/about/contact.
If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Office of External Affairs:
Tribal Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-Tribal@fema.dhs.gov.
–
At this point in the COVID 19 pandemic, many Indian health system providers have fully vaccinated their first cohort of patients and now have a better idea of both the challenges and best practices of the vaccine rollout. NIHB invites those stakeholders, along with Tribal leaders, Tribal health administrators, Tribal public health staff, Tribal advocates, and citizens to join us for an NIHB hosted discussion session where we can share what we have learned so far.
How will NIHB use this information? NIHB will use the feedback to inform our ongoing advocacy efforts and Tribes will have a chance to learn from their peers and share what has worked in their communities.
The Virtual Tribal Vaccine All Tribes Call will take place on Friday, March 19 at 3:00 PM eastern. We hope you will join us!
Agenda
3:00 pm - Welcome - NIHB Board of Directors Chair
3:05 pm - COVID 19 vaccine rollout by the numbers – NIHB staff
A short presentation of the available data to help set the stage for further discussion.
3:15 pm – Facilitated discussion session
Moderators: Carolyn A. Hornbuckle, Esq. & Tyler M. Dougherty, MPH, CPH
Framing topics and related questions:
There is no registration fee to attend the listening session, but pre-registration is required for participation.
If you have any questions, please contact Tyler M. Dougherty at TDougherty@nihb.org or Carolyn A. Hornbuckle, Esq. at CHornbuckle@nihb.org.
–
The one-hour long sessions include an opportunity to engage in didactic sessions focused on COVID-19 response in I/T/U clinics. The target audience is healthcare professionals including MDs, advance practice providers, pharmacists, RNs, and medical assistants.
Every Monday and Wednesday at 12:00 PM-1:00 PM Pacific (join)
3/18/2021
Dear Tribal Leader,
We regret that we were unable to accommodate all who wished to comment on today’s meeting. We have established a carryover consultation on Tuesday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Please note that because we seek to ensure full participation you may receive this notice twice. Please register once for the carryover consultation.
Please register using the link provided below. Please note that to increase the smoothness of transition and ensure that audio is clear we will be using audio participation only for tribal leaders. Thank you for your understanding as we seek to hear from all leaders who wish to contribute.
You are invited to a ZoomGov meeting.
When: Mar 23, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting: https://ustreasury.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsf-GprzMpHsgPBwhkfPoY_6ozZCu0M4Y
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Please save this link, call-in information and enter the meeting on your calendar. We will be unable to provide assistance in joining the meeting. Please note that participation by dialing in is also an option.
Thank you.
Treasury Tribal Consultation
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indigenous Peoples of the United States will be holding a hearing entitled "A Year in Review: The State of COVID-19 " on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. NIHB has been invited as a witness and Chief Bill will be representing NIHB. Please see below for more details on the witness panels and how to view the hearing live:
Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Time: 1:00 p.m. (EST)
Presiding: Chair Teresa Leger Fernández
Watch the Livestream on Facebook
or
Watch the Livestream on Youtube
Witness Panel:
–
Join the Black Coalition Against COVID-19 for a Town Hall discussion. Senior government officials and leading minority health professionals will provide up-to-date information relevant to minority health professionals on the epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19. Dr. Brian Thompson (Oneida) of the Association of American Indian Physicians will be on the panel.
Watch the event: Facebook.com/BlackDoctor.Org; Youtube.com/BlackDoctorOrg
–
**Information to register/join will be added here as it is received**
See the full list of upcoming Tribal Consultation Sessions Related to the American Rescue Plan 2021 provided by White House Tribal Affairs on 3/23
Focus Area: Native Families
Funding Amount: $1 billion for new Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund formula grants to states, tribes and territories to provide short-term non-recurrent benefits to eligible, needy families impacted by the pandemic.
Federal Agency: Health and Human Services – Office of Family Assistance (OFA)
OFA Consultation Session (In concert with the Administration for Native Americans)
March 26, 1:30-4:30 p.m. ET
–
Center for Indian Country Development (CICD) Director Casey Lozar invites you to the launch of our CICD Policy Webinar Series, a set of virtual forums focused on understanding and addressing the systemic limitations and structural barriers that constrain tribal self-determination and the modernization of tribal economies. The series will inform policymakers and their advisors on how tribal governments labor to provide an optimal yet shifting mix of public goods and services under conditions of scarcity and limited autonomy. Throughout the series, thought leaders will explore potential policy actions that can improve the collective good of Indian Country.
The series kicks off on March 24 with a session focused on the question “How Are Tribal Economies Faring Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic?” Due to COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on service-oriented industries such as gaming, Indian Country is especially vulnerable to this period of economic contraction. At the kick-off event, join tribal policy experts, economists, researchers, and tribal leaders in a national policy conversation around the delivery of government services and how tribal governments are making difficult choices to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and strategize into the future. Speakers will:
Confirmed speakers:
–
The one-hour long sessions include an opportunity to engage in didactic sessions focused on COVID-19 response in I/T/U clinics. The target audience is healthcare professionals including MDs, advance practice providers, pharmacists, RNs, and medical assistants.
Every Monday and Wednesday at 12:00 PM-1:00 PM Pacific (join)
Dear Tribal Leaders, Public Health Officials, and Indian Country Professionals,
On behalf of the White House Covid Response Team, please join us for a White House Tribal Covid-19 Update.
EVENT: White House Tribal Covid-19 Update
TIME: 4:30 PM EST
REGISTRATION: REGISTER HERE for weekly calls from March 3 through May 5
Please Note: This call is closed press and not for attribution.
We will continue to send weekly reminders about this recurring meeting to those on our listserv and look forward to speaking with you on Wednesday!
Thank you,
Tribal Affairs Team
Office of the Secretary | Intergovernmental and External Affairs
Department of Health and Human Services