United South & Eastern Tribes

HHS Tribal Consultation on the definition of Indian Tribe
2024-01-11 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-01-17 14:30 - 16:00, 2024-01-18 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter

Tuesday, January 9 at 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
Thursday, January 11 at 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
Wednesday, January 17 at 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Thursday, January 18 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern

Zoom Registration
Please send your written comments and recommendations on which definition of Indian Tribe to include in the updated Consultation Policy by Friday, February 20, 2024 via e-mail to: consultation@ihs.gov with the subject line: DEFINITION OF INDIAN TRIBE.
What definition of Indian Tribe should be included in the updated Consultation Policy: the List Act Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5130); or the ISDEAA Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5304(e))?
Option #1: List Act Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5130): “Indian tribe” means any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian Tribe.

Executive Order 13175 (“Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments”) defines “Indian Tribe” using the List Act definition. It is also the definition used in the Presidential Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation (November 30, 2022), the HHS TCP, and all other Federal Tribal Consultation Policies.

Option #2: ISDEAA Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5304(e)): “Indian tribe” or “Indian Tribe” means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

The ISDEAA definition of Indian Tribe includes Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and is currently utilized in the existing IHS Tribal Consultation Policy.

USDA and Department of Energy Listening Session on American Farms, Rural Benefits
2024-01-12 11:30 - 13:00, 2024-01-16 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-01-16 13:30 - 15:00, 2024-01-17 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host a series of listening sessions this winter. The agencies invite perspectives on the benefits and challenges of the rapidly increasing levels of clean energy being sited on agricultural lands and in rural communities.
USDA and DOE seek feedback directly from a diverse set of stakeholders about what the agencies can do through their leadership, program guidance, or research and information sharing to encourage positive clean energy siting outcomes that benefit farmers, rural Americans, the renewable energy industry and others.
Stakeholders can register to participate in public listening sessions that are available virtually by clicking on the selected date and time:
• Government permitting and policy representatives at state, county, and local levels on Jan. 12, 2024, at 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. ET Government Permitting and Policy Representatives, Register Here
• Agricultural producers on Jan. 16, 2024, at 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET. Agriculture Producers, Register Here
• All stakeholders and members of the public on Jan. 16, 2024, at 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET. All Stakeholders, Register Here
• Rural electric coops and clean energy developers on Jan. 17, 2024, at 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET. Energy Organizations, Register Here
Stakeholders may submit written comments by Jan. 20, 2024, to CleanEnergySiting@USDA.gov.

IRS Office Hours to assist with IRS Energy Credits Online Registration Process
2024-01-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-01-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-01-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The IRS is hosting upcoming office hours that are available for all direct pay applicable entities. This is to assist with the IRS Energy Credits Online pre-filing registration process. Upcoming office hours and links to register are below:

DATE
TIME
Registration Link

January 16, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

January 19, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

January 23, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

January 26, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

January 30, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

February 2, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

February 6, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

February 9, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

To receive any future announcements on IRS office hours, and for updates on direct pay generally, sign up at IRS.gov/newsroom/e-news-subscriptions by scrolling down to the “Tax exempt & government entities” category. As a reminder, IRS has detailed resources to help you navigate the pre-filing registration process from start to finish, including this how-to video and this comprehensive user guide.
Visit IRS.gov/ElectivePay to explore a series of educational one-pagers for each direct pay applicable entity, a list of applicable tax credits, and an extensive list of FAQs. You can find even more information and the latest guidance related to the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax provisions generally on IRS.gov/CleanEnergy.
To learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act and its clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related investment programs, explore the Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook or visit IRS.gov/CleanEnergy.

2024 DHS External Tribal Quarterly Meeting
2024-01-16 13:00 | Virtual Event
January 16 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register in advance for this meeting
These virtual quarterly meetings are hosted by DHS Tribal Affairs and provide an opportunity to have discussions on Homeland Security matters such as equity, resource availability, partnerships, law enforcement and security, cybersecurity, disaster response, and prevention of human trafficking and targeted violence.

American Climate Corp Listening Session
2024-01-16 17:00, 2024-01-25 17:00 | Virtual Event
In September, President Biden announced the launch of the American Climate Corps, a groundbreaking workforce training and service initiative that will prepare tens of thousands of young people for good-paying jobs in the clean economy.
Beginning this week, the Biden-Harris Administration will convene a series of virtual listening sessions to hear directly from prospective American Climate Corps applicants and implementing partners. Join the American Climate Corps team and special guests to share your thoughts about how to make the ACC a success.
The first listening session will be held on Thursday, January 11 at 10 am ET. Sign up here.
Additional listening sessions will be held on the following dates:

January 16 at 6 pm ET. Sign up here
January 25 at 6 pm ET. Sign up here
February 1 at 10 am ET. Sign up here

More information about the virtual listening sessions can be found here.

OVC Virtual Tribal Consultation on the FY 2024 Tribal Set-Aside
2024-01-17 08:00 - 2024-01-18 17:00 | Virtual Event
January 17 and 18 at 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm each day
Register
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will host a virtual Tribal Consultation on the Tribal Set-Aside from the Crime Victims Fund for Fiscal Year 2024 on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, and Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 1:00−3:30 p.m. eastern time each day.
OVC invites Consultation testimony to be provided by:

an elected Tribal leader,
an appointed Tribal leader, or
someone designated by an elected or appointed Tribal leader. Designation must be provided in writing.

In preparation, OVC presents the OVC FY 2023 Crime Victims Fund Tribal Set-Aside Program report that provides a brief history of the program and how Tribal Set-Aside funds were obligated in FY 2023. An informational Framing Paper on the FY 2024 Tribal Set-Aside provides relevant background and questions for participants at the consultation to consider.
If you are a Tribal leader’s designee and you plan to speak at either day of the Consultation, OVC asks that you provide a Delegation of Authority letter on Tribal letterhead signed by the elected or appointed Tribal leader or have the elected or appointed Tribal leader send an email to ovctribalsetaside@usdoj.gov to confirm your authorization to testify on behalf of the Tribe. Instructions for how to submit your testimony will be available after you register. During the Consultation, Tribal leaders will be called in the order in which their registration was received.

FCC Informational Webinar on ACP Wind Down Order
2024-01-17 12:00, 2024-01-18 12:00 | Virtual Event
On Jan. 11, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission released an Order associated with the potential wind-down of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The Order provides specific guidance on items such as when ACP enrollments will end and also provides information about what consumers can expect to happen in the coming weeks and months.
The Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau announces two informational webinar briefings that will take place as listed below:

Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The briefing will be conducted virtually at the following link: https://fcc-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_kAwILcEDTcG5c86YCnNQhg (-> urldefense.proofpoint.com)
Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The briefing will be conducted virtually at the following link: https://fcc-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_kAx2_E2GQCGXYMwxSQCywg (-> urldefense.proofpoint.com)

Please join on either date to hear the latest updates regarding the ACP Wind-Down Order and what can be expected in the near future, and potential ways in which we can work together to boost awareness of the FCC’s ongoing work. Both webinars will be sign language interpreted and captioned.
The FCC will welcome questions for a Q&A session as part of the webinar. Please feel free to submit your questions to acpinfo@fcc.gov. They will aim to answer all questions submitted during the webinar session.
In general, for more information about the ACP, visit www.fcc.gov/acp.

Rescheduled: Department of Treasury | Elective Pay Webinar
2024-01-17 12:30 | Virtual Event
Wednesday, January 17 at 1:30 pm Eastern, the Department of Treasury will host an Elective Pay webinar and provide an overview of the pre-filing registration process.
Register in advance for this briefing.
Earlier this year, Treasury issued proposed Elective Pay and Transferability guidance, which can be found here and here. In addition to the Treasury press release, you can find FAQs and fact sheets that outline key information contained in the proposed guidance. You can also find helpful information on CleanEnergy.gov/directpay. Treasury and the IRS will carefully consider public feedback before issuing final rules.

Indian School Equalization Program Tribal Listening Session
2024-01-17 14:00 - 16:00
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
The purpose of these listening sessions is to advise the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) on the need for possible revisions to 25 C.F.R. Part 39 – Indian School Equalization Program. Under 25 U.S.C. § 2018(a), prior to publishing any proposed regulations and prior to establishing a negotiated rulemaking committee, BIE is required to convene regional meetings to consult with educators at BIE-operated schools and Tribal officials, parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members of Tribes served by BIE-funded schools to provide guidance to BIE on revisions to the regulations. These sessions, along with the previously held sessions, serve that purpose.
Wednesday, January 17 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Mountain
Virtual Session
Register
Wednesday, February 7 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Mountain
Gila River Resorts and Casinos
Room: Acacia CD
5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd.
Chandler, AZ 85226
Wednesday, March 6 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Central
Rushmore Hotel and Suites
Room: Roosevelt/Lincoln
445 Mt Rushmore Rd.
Rapid City, SD 57701
For additional details, please visit our BIE Consultation & Initiatives webpage at: www.bie.edu/landing-page/consultations-initiatives.
WRITTEN COMMENTS: Your written comments are welcomed on the ISEP and ISEP Transportation program by the extended comment deadline of March 31, 2024.
Please E-MAIL your comments to: consultation@bia.gov – SUBJECT LINE: ISEP and ISEP Transportation regulations.

DOJ Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Webinars
2024-01-18 12:00, 2024-01-23 12:00, 2024-01-24 12:00, 2024-01-25 13:00 | Virtual Event
CTAS Overview
Thursday, January 18, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_83tJlRfTQWeq3t8GAhFClg
FY 2024 Updates: Just Grants and Submitting an Application
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Bi6b4I_qTSqz4lKKHNYxqQ
Budget Development
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_26VUg8mNShSIKmSvfqo4aw
Tips for Successful Applications for Alaska & Rural Communities
Thursday, January 25, 2024 | 2:00 PM EST
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ROgm-FjRSjWCpRczyL8L2w
Purpose Area 1 (COPS) | PA1 Fact Sheet Tuesday, January 30, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Nxm0PKtUSWG75zKnhE515Q
Purpose Areas 2, 3, & 4 (BJA) | PA 2 Fact Sheet | PA 3 Fact Sheet | PA 4 Fact Sheet
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HkRkRFv4R66musX-0K1JMA
Purpose Area 6 (OVC) | PA 6 Fact Sheet
Thursday, February 1, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VPUg6QvnRk6_Q6Dtojes4g
Purpose Areas 8 & 9 (OJJDP) | PA 8 Fact Sheet | PA 9 Fact Sheet
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5vvcv4VjQ2-7dgra1PU24g
Budget Worksheet Completion
Thursday, February 8, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ruUeOS_2SbySl-zOuXkHiQ
Application Checklist Review
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PVY2vsWPRnG_FJfy6YWTGA
FY 2024 CTAS JustGrants Final Upload Q&A
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 | 1:00 PM EST
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4MwEWAVZTtC8xR7ekL5YCg
Accessing Grants Workshop Recorded
November 8-9, 2022
Workshop Link: www.ncjtc.org/accessgrantsworkshop

Department of Homeland Security Listening Sessions on Environmental Justice Program
2024-01-19 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-01-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
The Department of Homeland Security (Department or DHS) invites comment and feedback from Tribal Nations and indigenous peoples on barriers and challenges, suggestions, and ideas to help advance the Department’s environmental justice program, help DHS conduct meaningful engagement of the public in decision making, and address challenges facing environmental justice communities related to DHS programs and activities. On December 18, 2023, DHS issued a Request for Information (RFI) Federal Register :: Request for Information Regarding Department of Homeland Security Activities and Advancing Environmental Justice, Docket ID: DHS-2023-0048, asking specific questions. The public comment period will be open for 60 days, closing on February 16, 2024.
Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, signed April 21, 2023, defines “environmental justice” as the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment so that people:

are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects (including risks) and hazards, including those related to climate change, the cumulative impacts of environmental and other burdens, and the legacy of racism or other structural or systemic barriers; and
have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient environment in which to live, play, work, learn, grow, worship, and engage in cultural and subsistence practices.

DHS will host three virtual information and listening sessions via Zoom during the public comment period to hear participants’ responses to the questions in the RFI.
Please register to attend one of the information and listening sessions through the links below:

Friday January 19, 2:00-3:30 PM, Eastern Time – Session 1: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gsR3Ue5UR5mxjiBLstD7nQ (-> lnks.gd)
Tuesday, January 23, 2:00-3:30 PM, Eastern Time – Session 2, Tribal and Indigenous peoples: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TnXdmN9ZSDGqy5LxnlKxeg (-> lnks.gd)
Monday, January 29, 3:30-5:00 PM, Eastern Time – Session 3: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fNpD6F9WRiaY5hLPkMYtyA (-> lnks.gd)

For more information on the DHS Environmental Justice Program, please visit www.dhs.gov/dhs-environmental-justice-strategy (-> lnks.gd). For questions, please contact dhsenvironmentaljustice@hq.dhs.gov.

Virtual Engagement Session on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination
2024-01-22 14:30 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Date: Monday, January 22, 2024
Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm ET
Location: Virtual
Register
The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, the White House Domestic Policy Council, the White House Office of Management and Budget, and the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) invites Tribal Leaders to a virtual engagement session with Biden-Harris Administration leadership to discuss Executive Order 14112 on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination.
During this engagement session, Biden-Harris Administration leadership and staff from the White House and Federal Departments will discuss the substance and implementation process the Administration is planning for EO 14112. Tribal leaders are invited to ask questions, provide comments, and share their perspectives on how EO 14112 can best meet the needs of their Tribal Nations.
The agenda for the session is included in the Dear Tribal Leader Letter (DTLL) below. Tribal leaders are welcome to send an questions regarding the session to whcnaa@bia.gov
DTLL | EO Fact Sheet

How to Compete for RAISE Grants: Rural & Tribal Applicants webinar
2024-01-23 13:30 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
This webinar explains how to apply and compete for an FY 2024 RAISE grant with a focus on rural and Tribal applicants. A member of the ROUTES Team outlines additional applicant resources in the Rural Grant Applicant Toolkit for Competitive Federal Transportation Funding which acts as a guide for potential applicants in identifying and navigating discretionary opportunities for rural transportation projects. The webinar will include closed captioning as well as ASL interpretation. If you need alternative formats or other reasonable accommodations, including language translation, please indicate via the registration form below or via email to the RAISE team at RAISEgrants@dot.gov no later than January 16, 2024.
Register for the webinar
View recorded webinars

HHS Maternal Health Stakeholder Briefing
2024-01-23 14:30 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 PM ET
Register: Please register via this link
In honor of Maternal Health Awareness Day, you are invited to join the Department of Health and Human Services for a briefing on HHS maternal health priorities and activities for 2024 on Tuesday, January 23rd, at 3:30 PM ET. During the webinar you will hear from key agency leaders on Departmental activities that advance equity in maternal health outcomes. Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for question and answer.

CMS Webinar | Medicaid and CHIP Renewals: What to Know and How to Prepare, A Partner Education Monthly Series
2024-01-24 11:00 | Virtual Event
Please join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for their monthly webinar series that will provide stakeholders with information to prepare for Medicaid and CHIP renewals.
Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm ET
Register: Please register here.

Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC)
2024-01-24 12:00 - 16:00 | Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, United States
The Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC) will hold its 13th periodic meeting on January 24th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. The meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of the Treasury at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Attendees can either attend virtually or in person. Registration is required, and in-person attendees must register before January 22nd, 5:00 p.m. ET.
Register to attend

VA | Homeless Veterans Virtual Outreach Symposium
2024-01-25 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Thursday, January 25 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Link to join
Call-in at (833) 558-0712
Access Code: 276-147-13994
The symposium will discuss the unique needs of homeless veterans.
