IHS Tribal Consultation & Urban Confer - Proposed Realignment
2025-12-15 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-16 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-17 15:00 - 18:00, 2026-01-06 15:00 - 18:00, 2026-01-08 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Dear Tribal Leader Letter

As part of this second Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer process, the IHS will convene four (4) in-person Tribal Consultation sessions and one (1) virtual Urban Confer session to provide multiple opportunities for feedback and discussion on the proposed IHS realignment.

We invite you to register for the sessions you plan to attend using the following link: https://ihs-gov.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/0WsSdf0JRFm8dA6aTjqXdA.

Tribal Consultation No. 1 – Durant, OklahomaDate: Monday, December 15, 2025Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM CTVenue To Be Determined

Tribal Consultation No. 2 – Denver, ColoradoDate: Tuesday, December 16, 2025Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM MTVenue To Be Determined

Tribal Consultation No. 3 – San Diego, CaliforniaDate: Wednesday, December 17, 2025Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM PTVenue To Be Determined

Tribal Consultation No. 4 – Seattle, WashingtonDate: Tuesday, January 6, 2026Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM PTVenue To Be Determined

Urban Confer Session – VirtualDate: Thursday, January 8, 2026Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM ET

The comment submission deadline for both the Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer is February 9, 2026.

Please email Tribal Consultation comments to consultation@ihs.gov.

Please email Urban Confer comments to urbanconfer@ihs.gov.

Please use the SUBJECT LINE: IHS Proposed Realignment.

EPA and Army Hybrid Public Meeting for the Proposed “Updated Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’” Rule
2025-12-15 13:30 - 15:00, 2025-12-16 11:30 - 13:00, 2025-12-16 13:30 - 15:00
The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of the Army will hold a public meeting in Bismarck, North Dakota to gather input on the proposed rule. There will be additional public meeting(s) scheduled in the coming weeks.

December 12, 2025: Bismarck, North Dakota (9:30-11 a.m. CT and 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. CT) – Register Now

Please use the link above to register to provide comments or to listen to the public meeting, either virtually or in-person. Requests to speak will also be taken the day of the meeting at the meeting registration desk for those participating in-person and during the speaker waitlist for those participating virtually. EPA and the Army will make every effort to accommodate all speakers who arrive and register, although preferences on speaking times may not be able to be fulfilled. On the last working day before each meeting, EPA will post a general agenda for the meeting that will list pre-registered speakers in approximate order. The agencies will make every effort to follow the schedule as closely as possible on the day of the public meeting; however, please plan for the meetings to run either ahead of schedule or behind schedule.

Each commenter will have three minutes to provide oral testimony. EPA and the Army encourage commenters to also provide the agencies with a copy of their oral testimony by emailing it to wotus-outreach@epa.gov and submitting the text of their oral comments as written comments to the rulemaking docket EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0322 on Regulations.gov.

Updated 12/8 to include additional dates:

December 15, 2025: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (12-2 p.m. ET and 2:30-4 p.m. ET) – Register Now

December 16, 2025: Virtual (12:30-2 p.m. ET and 2:30-4 p.m. ET) – Register Now

IRS office hours: elective payment of energy credits
2025-12-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The IRS is offering office hours (through Microsoft Teams) to help entities with the pre-filing registration process on the Pre-filing Registration Tool. Pre-filing registration is a required step for applicable entities to take advantage of elective payment of certain credits. Representatives from the IRS will be available to answer your pre-filing registration questions.
Registration for office hours is open. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking on the links below.

Date
Time
Register

August 20, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

September 17, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

October 15, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

November 19, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

December 17, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

January 21, 2026
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

Resources:

Video: How to complete Form 990-T for elective payment election
Video: Pre-filing Registration Tool Overview
Pre-Filing Registration Tool — User Guide and Instructions, Publication 5884 PDF
Clean Energy Authorization Permission Management User Guide, Publication 5902 PDF
Elective pay and transferability frequently asked questions

The tribal community can find answers to many questions on IRS.gov/tribes. If you have a question on any tribal tax matter, please visit Contact ITG.
For the latest tribal news, connect via IRS Social Media and subscribe to this and other IRS newsletters.

Tribal Engagement on the Proposed Rule Updated Definition of "Waters of the United States" with EPA and Army
2025-12-18 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual Event
This meeting is for U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of the Army to gather Tribal input on the proposed rule that would clarify the definition of “waters of the United States” and fully implement the SCOTUS decision in Sackett.  Participants may register below to attend the meeting and indicate if they would like to speak. Note that this meeting is reserved for Tribes, Tribal members, and their respective associations. Registration ends on December 18, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET. For questions or to arrange accommodations, email wotus-outreach@epa.gov. Accommodations will be provided if received no later than Dec. 11, 2025. This meeting will not be recorded. EPA will use your registration information solely for this meeting. We will not share your information with any third party.

Investigating and Prosecuting Child Fatalities and Abuse Skills Seminar
2026-01-12 00:00 - 2026-01-16 23:59
This seminar is for federal and tribal prosecutors, investigators, medical and mental health providers, social workers, and child protective services workers who investigate and prosecute Indian Country fatalities, neglect, and abuse cases involving children. This training is also applicable to individuals who investigate and prosecute child fatalities, neglect, and abuse cases on military bases and other federal enclaves. This seminar will provide participants with knowledge and skills necessary to investigate and prosecute complex abuse cases involving children through presentations by national experts in medicine, forensic investigation, and prosecution. The following topics will be addressed: federal jurisdiction and mandatory reporting statutes; causes of abuse-related injuries and death; medical evidence in severe abuse and neglect; interview and interrogation; scene investigation; effective prosecution strategies; countering defense strategies; and evidence collection and documentation. This training will contain graphic videos, photographs and material that some may find disturbing. CLE will be requested.

Investigating and Prosecuting Child Fatalities and Abuse Skills Seminar; January 12-16, 2026. This meeting is being hosted by the Department of Justice’s National Indian Country Training Initiative and will be held at the National Advocacy Center (NAC) in Columbia, SC. Travel expenses, including airfare and lodging, for approved attendees, will be covered by United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Anyone interested in attending the meeting must register no later than December 8, 2025. If multiple representatives from the same tribe or organization are interested in attending the meeting, please submit a separate registration form for each individual and rank them in order of priority for acceptance. Registration for this event is limited; however, every effort will be made to accommodate all interested parties. CLE will be requested.

Registration deadline: December 8, 2025.Applicants will receive notification of their application status by December 10, 2025.

Please do not book travel and lodging until instructions are provided by DOJ.

The Executive Office for United States Attorneys will provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Requests should be made to Deborah Thomas as early as possible, preferably at least two weeks in advance of the seminar. No nominee will be excluded from a course based on a disability-related accommodations request. This training is authorized under the Government Employees Training Act. If you have any questions regarding this training, please feel free to contact Lamesha Bowman at Lamesha.Bowman@usdoj.gov or Deborah Thomas at Deborah.Thomas@usdoj.gov or Leslie A. Hagen at Leslie.Hagen3@usdoj.gov.

FEMA Webinar: Login.gov
2026-01-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Beginning January 26, all Grants Portal users must access their accounts through Login.gov. to obtain access. Users must use their Login.gov credentials with the same email address associated with their Grants Portal account. This change will provide a more streamlined and secure login process, ensuring compliance with federal standards and improving the overall user experience. Login.gov provides strong authentication methods that reduce the risks of unauthorized access and data breaches, underscoring FEMA’s commitment to keep information secure.

FEMA is hosting a one-hour webinar to help you learn more about how to transition to Login.gov. The webinar will also be recorded and posted to FEMA’s Public Assistance YouTube Channel. Advanced registration is not required.

Webinar Details:

When: January 13, at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Zoom

Meeting ID: 161 698 6350

Passcode: GP

For questions or more information on the transition to Login.gov, please reach out to FEMA’s Public Assistance Hotline at 866-337-8448 or email FEMA-Recovery-PA-Grants@fema.dhs.gov.

NTIA Tribal Consultation
2026-01-13 12:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-20 12:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) ,Department of Commerce, is initiating Tribal Consultation on the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) and the Digital Equity Act of 2021 set aside for Native Entities (NE). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116-260 (Act) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Section 60201, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (Nov. 15, 2021) (IIJA) provided new sources of tribal broadband funding to expand connectivity across Indian Country. Consistent with those statutes, the Department of Commerce and NTIA continue to be dedicated to ensuring universal broadband availability and promoting digital access.

Tuesday, January 13 at 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

Tuesday, January 20 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

Below are the questions on which NTIA seeks your input during this consultation:

How can NTIA reform its TBCP and NE programs to better serve Tribal connectivity?

How can NTIA adapt its TBCP and NE programs to be aligned with, complementary to, and non-duplicative of BEAD? What activities should be the focus of the TBCP and NE programs given the progress of the BEAD Program?

What steps should NTIA take to stretch every dollar as far as possible and maximize the impact of TBCP and NE with respect to broadband connectivity on Tribal lands?

What steps can NTIA take to reduce administrative burdens and red tape for Tribal governments?

How have recent advancements in low earth orbit satellite and fixed wireless broadband technologies, impacted broadband connectivity in Indian Country?

Would additional information on the latest advancements and improvements in satellite and/or wireless technologies assist in evaluating broadband technology options?

What challenges exist with respect to broadband adoption on Tribal lands?

What types of projects or initiatives –either public or private– have been most effective in advancing broadband access in Indian Country?

Written comments can be submitted to broadbandusa@ntia.gov with the subject line: Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant Program/Digital Equity Native Entities Program, by February 13, 2026, at 6:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.

If you have any questions regarding the TBCP or NE programs or these consultation sessions, you may contact tbcp@ntia.gov.

FCC Consultation on Potential Changes to NEPA Rules
2026-01-14 12:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
By Public Notice (DA 25-1003), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announces two new dates for virtual Tribal Consultation on potential changes to the FCC’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules.

The FCC has also updated the framing paper to reflect changes to key dates. The slide deck used during Tribal Consultation on December 11, 2025, is now posted on the ONAP webpage for reference.

December 11, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

January 14, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

Federally-recognized Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) interested in consulting should send an email to Native@fcc.gov with a subject line indicating the date of participation, “Consultation – December 11,” or “Consultation – January 14.”

Please note that comments and meetings are also permitted at any time after the reply comment deadline, subject to the FCC’s ex parte rules for presentations on the merits or outcome of the rulemaking. Virtual Tribal Consultations may be recorded and transcribed.

DHS FLETC Tribal Law Enforcement Resource Webinar Series
2026-01-15 11:00 | Virtual Event
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, State, Local, & Tribal DivisionFY-26 Webinar Series: Tribal Law Enforcement Resources

Topic: Missing Persons & DNA Resources

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025, 10:00 am Mountain Time

TEAMS LINK

Featured Speaker: Mr. Mark Pooley, Director

Description: The Center for Human Identification (CHI) is an accredited law enforcement DNA lab and a CODIS participant. CHI works with law enforcement, medicolegal, and other criminal justice agencies as a DNA testing resource for unidentified and missing person cases. Currently, CHI has a Bureau of Justice Assistance Program which provides free DNA testing for Family Reference Samples (FRS) and Unidentified Human Remains (UHR) for missing Indigenous person cases. To date, 45 identifications have been made in Indian Country under this program.

Topic: Resources, Training, and Tools to Address Substance Misuse and Human Trafficking, National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children

Date: Wednesday: November 19, 2025, 10:00 Mountain Time

TEAMS LINK

Featured Speaker: Mr. Eric Nation, Executive Director

Description: Learn of resources available for Tribal law enforcement specific to training on the topics of early identification, human trafficking, and drug endangered children.

Topic: State & Rural Law Enforcement Executive Association (SRLEEA) Training and Resources

Date: Wednesday: December 10, 2025, 10:00 Mountain Time

TEAMS LINK

Featured Speaker: Mr. Mark Bensen, Chief of Police- Nez Perce Tribe

Description: The SRLEEA is dedicated solely to supporting and promoting law enforcement executives and agencies that serve small, rural & tribal communities across America. The organization provides resources and training to support departments in leadership, jail management, and more.

Topic: DHS Resources to Support Tribal Law Enforcement

Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026, 10:00 am Mountain Time

TEAMS LINK

Featured Speaker: Mr. David Flute, Senior Advisor- Tribal Affairs Description: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is comprised of several agencies who work with state, local, and Tribal departments and possess several resources that may interact to support Tribal law enforcement. This webinar provides an overview of various DHS agencies and specific resources for Tribal law enforcement departments related to human trafficking, search and rescue, and more.

SAMHSA Ready-to-Use Resources Webinar Series
2026-01-15 13:00 - 13:30, 2026-01-19 13:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare has created a new webinar series featuring practical, ready-to-use tools to improve outcomes for families affected by substance abuse. Each 30-minute webinar is from 2:00 – 2:30pm ET on its given day and highlights a new resource topic:

January 15, Carry the Message Toolkit: How SUD Treatment Agencies Can Help Child Welfare Agencies Meet the Safety Needs of Children

January 19, Implementing a Family-Centered Approach in Outpatient Treatment

February 12, Collaborative Teams Toolkit for Trauma-Informed Care

20th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation
2026-01-21 00:00 - 2026-01-23 23:59 | Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, Minnesota, 55372, United States
UPDATE: The 20th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation, originally scheduled for October 28 – 30, 2025 has been postponed to January 2026 due to the federal government shutdown, which has interfered with the government’s ability to ensure sufficient representation from federal agencies at the Consultation, as required by the Violence Against Women Act. We regret any difficulty this postponement causes you. Additional details will be available soon.

Please direct questions about the Consultation to OVW’s Acting Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs, Rebekah Jones, (202) 532-3287, and/or Ginger Baran Lyons, (202) 598-9445.

Dear Tribal Leader,

We are honored to invite your participation in the 20th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation to be conducted, in person, October 28-30, 2025, at the Mystic Lake Center, Prior Lake, Minnesota. The Department of Justice will be joined by other federal stakeholders, including our colleagues from the United States Departments of Health and Human Services and the Interior. We will conduct the Tribal Consultation over three full days.

Pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 20126, the purpose of the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultationis to solicit recommendations from Tribal leaders on the following four topics:

Administering Tribal funds and programs;

Enhancing the safety oflndian women from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, homicide, stalking, and sex trafficking;

Strengthening the federal response to such crimes; and

Improving access to local, regional, state, and federal crime information databases and criminal justice information systems.

A copy of the 2024 Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation Annual Report of Proceedings will be emailed to you and posted on the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) website at: www.justice.gov/ovw/tribal-consultation. OVW will also email and post any consultation framing papers and related materials along with OVW’s update report on the status of 2024 consultation recommendations. Logistical information about the Tribal Consultation and registration will be available soon at: www.ovwconsultation.org.

We look forward to seeing and hearing from you in October. If you have questions about the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation, please contact OVW’s Acting Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs, Rebekah Jones, at: Rebekah.Jones@usdoj.gov or (202) 307-6026.

CDC/IHS RSV Learning Collaborative: Preventing RSV Infection in AI/AN Children Through Partnerships and Early Planning
2026-01-21 13:45 - 14:45 | Virtual Event
We are pleased to invite you to the rescheduled Session 3 of our CDC/IHS RSV Learning Collaborative: Preventing RSV Infection in AI/AN Children Through Partnerships and Early Planning.

This session will serve as an in-season check-in, focusing on assessing implementation progress to date and identifying any challenges that may need to be addressed to ensure timely support and coordination.

Session 3 – January 21, 2026 | 2:45-3:345 PM ETTopic: In-Season Check-In – Assessing Implementation Progress and Addressing Challenges

**The agenda and additional details will be shared as we get closer to the session date.

We look forward to hearing your updates, learning about your progress, and working together to address any emerging issues to strengthen RSV prevention efforts this season.

In the meantime, please continue to share and promote the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Product Ordering Best Practices document with your VFC providers (especially those serving enrolled IHS/Tribal/Urban facilities), as it remains a valuable tool to support timely and effective implementation

Behavioral Health Integration Webinar Series: Integrating Substance Use Treatment into Integrated Care Settings
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Patients diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) frequently encounter stigma in their personal lives as well as in clinical settings. Consequently, establishing a foundation of trust between these patients and their care teams presents both a significant challenge and a critical necessity. Integrated care settings offer distinct advantages that can be leveraged to support SUD patients, distinguishing them from non-integrated environments. This discourse will examine effective methodologies for integrating the treatment of SUD patients within the framework of integrated care settings.

Objectives: 1. Identify SUD signs, symptoms, and associated health conditions. 2. Examine unique challenges and opportunities for treating SUD patients in integrated care settings. 3. Evaluate the role of trust-building in enhancing the effectiveness of clinical care for SUD patients within integrated care setting.

Credits: 1 hour of ACCME, ANCC, AAPA, ASWB, APA To receive a certificate of continuing education, you must electronically sign-in for the session, participate in the entire live internet activity and complete the online evaluation. You will be able to print your certificate after completing the evaluation. The evaluation for this session will close two weeks from the date of the webinar.

2026 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) 340B Program Grantee Recertification
2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The 2026 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) 340B Program Recertification period for HRSA Grantees (all grantee entity types except FP, STD, and TB) will be February 2-March 2, 2026. There will be a recertification webinar given by OPA on January 28, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 PM EST. Please see the webinar information below.

Zoom Webinar link: https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1616405206?pwd=[REDACTED] (-> urldefense.us)

Computer audio is recommended (make sure computer speakers are “on”)

Attendees should click the above and select ‘Join with Computer Audio’

Attendees without computer access or computer audio can use the dial-in information below:

Audio Conference details:

Dial-in Toll-Free #: 833 568 8864

Participant Code: [REDACTED]

Prior to being able to recertify, Authorizing Officials(AOs) and Primary Contacts(PCs) must set up a user account in the 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System (340B OPAIS). Failure to set up user accounts will result in not being able to view accounts or conduct recertification, thus termination from the 340B Program. AOs and PCs must create individual user accounts; they will not be able to share access. All active 340B IDs associated with an AOs user account must be updated for recertification to be completed by the established deadline. Failure to recertify by the established deadline will result in termination from the 340B Program.

For assistance with the 340B OPAIS, It is strongly encouraged to utilize the online help that is available for your convenience. HRSA also has information and tutorials available on our website at https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/340b-opais/index.html (-> urldefense.us). For further assistance please contact the 340B call center operated by the 340B Prime Vendor Program at apexusanswers@340bpvp.com or 1-888-340-2787 (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST).

Introduction to the FBI Laboratory for Indian Country
2026-01-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
This webinar presentation, led by the FBI Laboratory’s Evidence Management Unit, will cover the Unit’s laboratory discipline availability, laboratory and discipline acceptance policies, submission of evidence and laboratory procedures and supervision of the Indian country evidence program. Finally, the presenter will address what is needed from investigators to conduct forensic testing in Indian Country cases.

This training is restricted to federal, state, and Tribal prosecutors, law enforcement and intelligence analysts employed by a law enforcement agency . There is no charge to attend this webinar. CLE will not be provided.This training is a joint effort hosted by federal law enforcement agencies responding to violent crime in Indian Country. Sponsoring agencies include the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Indian Country Training Initiative, the United States Indian Police Academy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of the Interior’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security’s Victim Assistance Program.

If you have any questions, please contact Lamesha Bowman at Lamesha.Bowman@usdoj.gov, Deborah Thomas at Deborah.Thomas@usdoj.gov or Leslie A. Hagen at Leslie.Hagen3@usdoj.gov.

Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Tribal Office Hours
2026-01-28 15:00, 2026-02-04 15:00 | Virtual Event
If your Tribe or TDHE needs assistance with compliance or reporting, or would like to talk through program implementation, Treasury hosts weekly HAF Tribal office hours on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. ET – registration link.

NTIA/BLM Federal Interagency Broadband Right-of-Way Permitting Virtual Summit
2026-01-29 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program projects will begin permitting in early 2026, generating tens of thousands of anticipated applications across every US state and territory. NTIA and BLM are reconvening federal agencies to update providers on rights-of-way permit application processes key to broadband infrastructure, building on presentations from the July 2024 NTIA/BLM multi-agency broadband permitting summit held at the BLM National Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

This virtual summit will update proponents of NTIA-funded broadband projects on changes to Federal permitting rules since the NTIA/BLM Federal Interagency Broadband Permitting Summit held in 2024 (https://broadbandusa.ntia.gov/sites/default/files/2025-08/EHP_DOC_NTIA_BLM_Interagency_Permitting_Summit.pdf.) Presentations and panel discussion will focus on rights of way and real estate permitting and presenters include representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, BLM, the US Forest Service, and additional Department of the Interior agencies.

Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Tribal Consultation on Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support, and Remove Barriers to, Coordinated Care and Individual Engagement
2026-02-06 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
On January 21, 2021, the Department published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to revise the HIPAA Privacy Rule to strengthen individuals’ rights to access their own protected health information, improve care coordination, and reduce administrative burdens on HIPAA covered health care providers and health plans, while continuing to protect individuals’ health information privacy interests. Tribal leaders are invited to share their views and priorities with respect to the privacy of protected health information and individuals’ rights thereto to help inform the development of a final rule addressing the proposed changes in the NPRM. The consultation will be on February 6 from 2:00 – 3:30pm ET. Please see this Dear Tribal Leader Letter for full details.

Tribal Consultation on Interagency Partnerships between the U.S. Departments of Education, the Interior, and Labor
2026-02-10 12:30 - 16:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader, On February 10, 2026, from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will conduct consultation on the Interagency Agreements (IAAs) between ED and the U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Labor (DOL). The purpose of this consultation will be to receive meaningful input and guidance from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to ensure that Tribal leader views inform the implementation of the IAAs. Each Department remains committed to upholding the Federal fiduciary trust responsibility as set forth in the Constitution of the United States, Treaties, Executive Orders, and decisions of the U.S. Courts. This consultation will be conducted by the U.S. Office of Indian Education and facilitated by ED’s Tribal Consultation Official.

Background

Since the founding of the United States, the legal foundations and scope of each trust relationship between the Federal government and Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and/or Native Hawaiian Organizations have been statutorily unique. There are currently 575 federally recognized Indian Tribes, approximately 370 of which have treaties with the Federal government that remain good law. Indian Tribes do not engage in treaty-making at the Department-level; they engage in treaty-making from one Nation to another to ensure the prosperity of their descendants. The Federal government recognizes this unique relationship and the importance of acting with consistency, expediency, and efficiency.

On November 18, 2025, ED announced a deepening partnership with DOI and DOL. The partnership will be governed by IAAs through which ED will procure services from DOI and DOL for certain covered programs. DOI and DOL will provide services and technical assistance and support the integration of Native-serving programs. ED will maintain all statutory and policymaking authorities governing covered programs.

The IAA scope and purpose are as follows:

Uphold the rights of Native families.

Reduce reporting requirements to the extent permissible under the law.

Assist Native youth and adults to receive high quality education, pursue high wages, meet job demands, and build skills.

Enable administrative reform of policies and programmatic requirements.

Improve processes to enhance both applicant and grantee experiences.

As described in the introduction section of this letter, the purpose of this consultation is to receive input and guidance from Tribal leaders on the implementation of the IAAs. The following resources below can be used to help Tribal leaders prepare for the upcoming consultation:

IAA with DOI

IAA with DOL

ED’s Tribal Consultation Policy

All Fact Sheets between ED and Department of Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services, and State

Participation Information

To participate in-person (highly recommended) or virtually, please see the following venue information below:

Venue: National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)Fourth Street & Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20560Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026Time: 1:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Please follow the registration link to participate in-person or virtually at the consultation. To maintain physical security, attendees must register individually, and registration cannot be transferred to or used by others. Once you have completed an in-person or virtual registration, individualized confirmations for the session will be sent to you with additional information.

Written Comment Period

Written public comments for a topic will only be collected through the TribalConsultation@ed.gov email address. The comment period is now open and will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 12, 2026.

Sensitive Information

An Indian Tribe may designate information provided during the consultation as “sensitive” and request non-disclosure of the information to the public. Certain federal laws, including the Freedom of Information Act, may require disclosure of information designated sensitive by an Indian Tribe. Questions about this notice can be sent to TribalConsultation@ed.gov. This consultation is a closed press event.

Consultation Questions

The Department invites Tribal leaders to provide input on the following questions below:

How can the Departments of Education, Interior, and Labor best ensure continuity and stability of funding, services, and support to tribal communities during and after the transition of program administration under the Interagency Agreement?How do you believe the Department can better prioritize meeting these needs?

What specific roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms should be established among ED, DOI, and DOL to ensure clear accountability and avoid creating additional layers of federal bureaucracy in administering tribal education programs?The Department uses data to inform its budget and grantmaking decisions. What sources of information or data on the performance and needs of Native American students, teachers, and schools do you believe should inform budget development at the Department?

In what ways should the federal government strengthen consultation, communication, and partnership with tribal nations throughout the implementation of the Interagency Agreement to ensure tribal voices meaningfully inform decisions affecting tribal education programs?

What safeguards, oversight mechanisms, and performance measures should be put in place to ensure that the partnership of program administration strengthens services to Native students, families, and communities?

How can the Interagency Agreement better support tribal sovereignty, honor federal trust and treaty obligations, and ensure that tribal education institutions maintain the expertise, relationships, and capacity they have built with federal partners over time?

What risks do tribal leaders foresee in consolidating multiple tribal education programs under fewer federal agencies, and what strategies would mitigate those risks while preserving or enhancing the benefits of program integration?

Thank you in advance for your input and participation – we look forward to visiting and consulting with Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and Native Hawaiian Organizations and their leadership to empower high-quality education for all students.
