United South & Eastern Tribes

DOI Listening Session on Climate Adaptation Plan
2024-02-28 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-02-29 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
February 26 at 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Eastern |Register
February 27 at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern | Register
February 28 at 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Eastern | Register
February 29 at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern | Register
The Department of the Interior (Interior, the Department) invites you to participate in listening sessions regarding the Department’s planned update to its Climate Adaptation Plan. This update would succeed the existing Climate Action Plan, issued on October 7, 2021, and fulfill direction laid out in section 211 of Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad;” section 5(d) of E.O. 14030, “Climate-Related Financial Risk;” and section 503 of E.O.14057, “Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries And Jobs Through Federal Sustainability.”
The update, renamed to “Climate Adaptation Plan” (CAP), is expected to evaluate exposure to climate hazards and drivers of change across the full suite of DOI buildings and employees, and to the lands, waters, and cultural and natural resources it is responsible for stewarding. The CAP will also outline actions to address the threats these exposures present—through investments and changes to policy, budgeting, grant funding, and training.
Interior is working with Tribal Nations and Alaska Natives, as well as the Native Hawaiian Community and Indigenous people of the U.S. Territories, on a range of climate adaptation and resilience efforts. The Department also recognizes that Tribal Nations and Alaska Natives have shared input during recent consultations that can inform the development of the CAP. Interior will reference this input and incorporate it into the development of this plan.
The Department is seeking your input on several topics related to the potential content of the CAP, including:

What data and knowledge sources should we consider as we assess climate risk?
Recognizing that all lands, waters, and those who inhabit them are important, are there particular Interior-managed resources that hold special significance for Tribal Nations and/or Alaska Natives and should be considered for prioritization in climate adaptation planning?
How can the Department address exposure to climate hazards for these resources that hold special cultural or natural significance?
How can the Department incorporate climate resilience and accessibility for Tribal communities into its grants and funding opportunities?
What barriers prevent the implementation of climate adaptation and resilience efforts on Tribal lands and in Tribal communities?

The Office of Policy Analysis will conduct four Tribal listening sessions listed below and will accept oral and written comments. Please register in advance for any listening session you plan to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Please note that these Tribal listening sessions will be closed to the press and the public to protect confidential information that may be discussed during the sessions.
The Department welcomes your written comments, which should be submitted by email to
ryan_richards@ios.doi.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 30, 2024. If you have any
questions, please contact Ryan Richards at ryan_richards@ios.doi.gov.

FCC Listening Session on Proposed Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program
2024-02-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Thursday, February 29 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
Registration is free; all attendees must register. To register, please send an email message to Tribal.Events@fcc.gov with “Cybersecurity” in the Subject line. Please include the names and titles of anyone attending and include the Tribal affiliation. The FCC has invited leaders from all 574 federally recognized Tribes to participate in the consultation. Tribal library, school, and information technology (IT) representatives are also welcome to attend and may participate.
You may also send any questions to Tribal.Events@fcc.gov, as this email address is monitored by the Office of Native Affairs and Policy.
On November 13, 2023, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), WC Docket No. 23-234, seeking comment on its proposal to establish a pilot program to learn more about cybersecurity and advanced firewall services that could help K-12 schools and libraries protect their broadband networks and data, while also ensuring that limited Universal Service funds are utilized in the most effective manner.
Summary: The cybersecurity pilot program proposes to provide funding to eligible K-12 schools and libraries to defray the costs of qualifying cybersecurity and advanced firewall services to protect their broadband networks and data from the growing number of school and library-focused cyber events. As proposed, this pilot program would provide up to $200 million over three years, and would be funded through the Universal Service Fund (USF), but budgeted separately from the Commission’s other USF programs.

Comments can be submitted through the FCC’s Electronic Comment and Filing System in Docket No. WC 23-234 at: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request by sending an e-mail to: FCC504@fcc.gov or calling the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice). Include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we need more information. Please make your request as early as possible as we may be unable to fulfill last minute requests.
If you have any questions about this Listening Session or on another issue, please reach out to the Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP) at Native@fcc.gov.

FDA virtual Listening Session on FDA's efforts to address misinformation and vaccine hesitancy
2024-02-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
February 29 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration invites the National Indian Health Board and Area Indian Health Boards to participate in a call with the FDA’s Stakeholder Engagement Staff and Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) to discuss the FDA’s efforts to address misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the risks of health-related misinformation and disinformation for public health. Misinformation has also increased distrust in government authorities and beliefs in false medical cures.
The call will be held on Feb. 29, 2024, from 2 – 3 p.m. EST (U.S. and Canada). Please register by using the following link:
https://fda.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsfuqoqzwsHSuOASILX6TlBFEm0xGrA4I#/registration
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about how to join the meeting.
The FDA is committed to disseminating timely, accurate, science-based information to all communities, including Tribal Nations, minorities, women, seniors, and persons with limited English proficiency.
During the webinar, the FDA hopes to establish a dialogue with the National and Regional Area Indian Health Board Directors to increase understanding of health-related mis/disinformation affecting Tribal communities, share knowledge and understanding of the prevalence of mis/disinformation in Tribal communities, discover the main sources of misinformation and discuss ways we might counter misinformation with factual information.
The webinar recording will be available on the FDA Tribal Affairs page after the event.

Office of Facilities, Property, and Safety Management Virtual Listening Sessions
2024-03-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
The Office of Facilities, Property, and Safety Management will conduct two virtual listening sessions in March 2024, to improve the Indian Affairs methodology used to calculate facilities Operation and Maintenance funding allocations across all sites and buildings within the IA inventory.
March 5 at 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern
Register
March 7 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
Register

FCC Tribal Workshop
2024-03-06 | Cultural and Educational Resources Center, 150 Melacon Road, Marksville, LA, 71351, United States
We are pleased to announce that the FCC Tribal Workshop to be hosted by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana will be held on March 6, 2024.
The event page (which will be updated with the agenda for this workshop) is here: https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/events/2024/03/fcc-tribal-workshop-marksville-la
When: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (all day).
Where: Cultural and Educational Resources Center, 150 Melacon Road, Marksville, Louisiana 71351.
What: FCC staff will provide presentations on a broad range of important FCC initiatives that impact Tribal Nations.
Who: Tribal leaders, Tribal IT managers, government and community planners and managers, Tribal enterprise specialists, and representatives of Tribal social service agencies, schools, and libraries should consider attending this event.
Optional Tribal Library Tour on March 5 (2:00PM): The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana will host a tour of the Tribe’s Cultural and Educational Resources Center on Tuesday, March 5th and participants registered for the FCC’s workshop are welcome to join.
Registration is free. To register for the workshop, please send your name, title, Tribal affiliation, and contact information, with the subject line “March Workshop” to Tribal.Events@fcc.gov. Questions about the workshop may be directed to Lloyd.Collier@fcc.gov or Renee.Coles@fcc.gov. Walk-ins can also be accommodated.

ASPR Tribal Access to Federal Resources in a Pandemic Response Webinar
2024-03-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is holding a virtual information session on its approved strategy for “Improving Tribal and Urban Indian Organization (UIO) Access to Federal Resources During a Pandemic Response” on March 6 from 1:00 – 2:00pm EST. During the session, the Federal interagency Tribal Access Workgroup will provide an update on plans to further engage Tribal Nations, Indian Health Service providers, Tribal Health Providers, and urban Indian organizations on the strategy. The Workgroup will also provide information related to technical assistance on requesting Federal assistance to access medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and other Federal stockpiles.
Tribal leaders and others may participate in the webinar via Zoom or telephone using the following:

Zoom registration:

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscOuqrDkrHRFSFR585oiEBmTSsdn-cjw

Telephone number:

(551) 285-1373
Meeting ID: 161-722-2217
Passcode: [REDACTED]

IRS Office Hours to assist with IRA/CHIPS Pre-filling Registration Tool
2024-03-06 12:00 - 13:30, 2024-03-13 12:00 - 13:30, 2024-03-20 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
The IRS is excited to offer additional office hours (through Microsoft Teams) to help entities with the pre-filing registration process on the new IRA/CHIPS Pre-filing Registration Tool. Pre-filing registration is a required step for applicable entities and eligible taxpayers to take advantage of elective payment or transfer of credits available in the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act. Representatives from the IRS will be available to answer your pre-filing registration questions.
Registration for office hours is now open. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking on the links below.

Date
Time
Registration Link

February 28, 2024
1-2:30 PM EST
Register Here

March 6, 2024
1-2:30 PM EST
Register Here

March 13, 2024
1-2:30 PM EDT
Register Here

March 20, 2024
1-2:30 PM EDT
Register Here

March 27, 2024
1-2:30 PM EDT
Register Here

April 3, 2024
1-2:30 PM EDT
Register Here

April 10, 2024
1-2:30 PM EDT
Register Here

April 17, 2024
1-2:30 PM EDT
Register Here

April 24, 2024
1-2:30 PM EDT
Register Here

Indian School Equalization Program Tribal Listening Session
2024-03-06 13:00 - 15:00
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.

USDOT Webinar: Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program - Action Plans
2024-03-07 12:30 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program – Action Plans
This webinar will offer a general overview of the SS4A program and the grant application process, with a particular focus on applying for grants to develop an Action Plan.
Thursday, March 7, 1:30-3:00 p.m. (ET)
Register to attend the March 7 webinar.

USET/ DOE Webinar on Clean Energy Tax Credits and Financing
2024-03-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
March 7 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Register
You are cordially invited to join the USET Tribal Infrastructure Development Program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Programs Office Tribal Energy Finance Program for an informational webinar on renewable energy tax credits available to Tribal Nations and our enterprises under recently-enacted infrastructure laws and how these and DOE loan guarantees can be combined to finance energy projects in Indian Country.
Guest Speakers:

Claire Newfeld, Associate, Hobbs Straus Dean & Walker
David Sickey, Tribal Energy Finance Program, DOE
Lisa Garcia, Tribal Energy Finance Program, DOE

Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a new provision called elective payment allows certain tax credits as payments from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to Tribal governments and other tax-exempt entities to help fund new renewable energy infrastructure and reduce costs. The newly accessible tax credits include the major/green energy production tax credit, investment tax credits, as well as credit for qualified clean commercial vehicles, credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, and credit for carbon oxide sequestration.
In addition to tax credits, the IRA increased loan authority under the Tribal Energy Financing Program at DOE to $20 billion. The Tribal Energy Financing Program supports Tribal investment in energy-related projects by providing loan guarantees to federally recognized Tribal Nations or a Tribal Energy Development Organization that is wholly or substantially owned by a federally recognized Tribal Nation.
Learn more about how Tribal Nations can access these tax credits, loans, and other benefits under newly-enacted infrastructure laws by visiting the USET Tribal Infrastructure Development webpage.

Department of the Treasury Reporting Webinar | Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) program
2024-03-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Thursday, March 7 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Register
The U.S. Department of the Treasury will host a Reporting Webinar for Tribal governments about the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) program. During the session, Treasury will provide the following:

Overview of LATCF
Overview of compliance requirements
Demonstration of the Treasury Reporting Portal
Overview of resources

Who should attend: All Tribal governments are required to submit an Annual Report by March 31, 2024. Staff new to administering their Tribe’s LATCF program are especially encouraged to attend, in particular, staff directly responsible for reporting.

Permitting Council Tribal Consultation
2024-03-07 13:30 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
The Permitting Council Executive Director cordially invites Tribal leaders and their designees to a virtual Tribal consultation on the Permitting Council’s Draft Tribal Consultation Policy and Plan.

Registration
The consultation on the Permitting Council’s Tribal Consultation Policy and Plan will be held virtually on the date below. Registration is required to participate in the consultation.

March 7, 2024 from 2:30-4:30 pm ET

Click here to register.

Background
The Permitting Council is responsible for implementing Executive Order (E.O.) 13175, “Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments.” The enclosed draft Tribal Consultation Policy and Plan implements E.O. 13175.

Email Attachments:

Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Consultation Framing Paper
Draft Permitting Council Consultation Policy and Plan

Please contact PoQueen Rivera, Director of Tribal Affairs, for the Permitting Council at poqueen.rivera@fpisc.gov should you have any questions.

FEMA Annual Tribal Nations Training Week
2024-03-09 - 2024-03-16 | Center for Domestic Preparedness Campus, Anniston, AL, United States
The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) will host the 9th
Annual Tribal Nations Training Week the week of March 9 –
16, 2024 on the CDP campus in Anniston, AL. CDP training is
completely funded for state, local, Tribal, and territorial
emergency responders to include roundtrip airfare, meals,
lodging, training, and any equipment required during training.
View the list of classes and additional information for this training week.

FCC Webinar: Wind Down Affordable Connectivity Program
2024-03-13 12:00 | Virtual Event
March 13 at 1:00 pm Eastern
The briefing will be streamed live on www.fcc.gov/live and recorded and archived for public viewing available at fcc.gov/acp.
On March 4, 2024, the FCC issued a Public Notice (DA 24-23) confirming that absent additional funding from Congress, April 2024 is the last fully funded month for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). April will be the final month that households receiving the benefit will see it applied to their monthly internet bill and without renewed funding from Congress, the ACP will only be able to provide a partial reimbursement for May 2024. ACP service providers are required to send notices about the program’s end no later than 15 days after the release of the March 4, 2024, Public Notice.
As part of its continued consumer education, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) will host a webinar on March 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The briefing will be streamed live on www.fcc.gov/live and recorded and archived for public viewing available at fcc.gov/acp.
Please join CGB’s Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division for more information and the latest updates regarding the ACP Wind-Down, the release of new consumer education materials, a review of the program’s consumer protections, and how to solicit support from the agency’s outreach and engagement teams to minimize consumer confusion.
This webinar will be webcast with open captioning and sign language interpreting at www.fcc.gov/live. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we need more information. Make your request as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to FCC504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice).
Registration is not required for this public event.
For more information about the ACP Wind-Down, visit www.fcc.gov/acp. The Order released on January 11, 2024, provides requirements and guidance on the ACP Wind-Down.

USDA ReConnect Round 5 Webinar for Tribal Applicants
2024-03-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
March 13 at 2:00 pm Central
Register
Presented by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service, this webinar will provide an overview of the ReConnect Program, highlight resources, and key considerations for tribal applicants, and allow ample time for questions and answers.
This webinar will include:

A brief overview of the ReConnect Program
A brief overview of the round 5 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)
Key considerations for Tribal applicants
Extended question and answer period

FEMA Webinar: EMMIE Decommissioning Webinar
2024-03-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
FEMA is hosting a webinar and in-depth training to provide information, guidance, and answer questions on its official system of record for Public Assistance grant activities – Grants Manager and Grants Portal. The informational webinar will provide an overview and timeline of the decommissioning process of the agency’s Emergency Management Mission Integrated Environment (EMMIE) system, and the training will help enhance user experience with the system as the agency replaces EMMIE with the more modern, transparent, and accessible Grants Manager and Grants Portal systems.

EMMIE Decommissioning Informational Webinar
When: March 14, 2024, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET
Where: Zoom https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1605377504
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Or One tap mobile :
+16692545252,,1605377504# US (San Jose)
+16468287666,,1605377504# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)
+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
+1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
+1 551 285 1373 US (New Jersey)
+1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)
+1 415 449 4000 US (US Spanish Line)
Meeting ID: 160 537 7504
Passcode: [REDACTED]

DOI Briefing Call to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration's FY 2025 Budget Request
2024-03-14 14:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
The briefing call will focus on the Administration’s budget plan to bolster the level of resources needed for Indian Affairs’ mission of service to Tribes and support its role in strengthening the Federal Government’s nation-to-nation relationship with Tribes as well as its treaty and trust responsibilities. The President’s Budget supports an all-of-government approach to addressing Federal responsibilities and Tribal needs in Indian Country and is committed to Tribal sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-determination.
MEETING INFORMATION:
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time
FORMAT: ZoomGov or Call-In
Register in advance for this meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsc-mqpzspHtcrqlJbvngwlwF9bXDzeCw
Please note that this meeting is off-the-record and not for press purposes. It is highly encouraged to join the meeting 5 to 10 minutes early to avoid any potential technical delays.

U.S. Department of Energy: Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands – 2024 (DE-FOA-0003298) FOA Webinar
2024-03-14 14:00 - 16:30 | Virtual Event
March 14 at 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm Central
Register
The DOE Office of Indian Energy will conduct an informational webinar on March14, 2024 (1:00-3:30 p.m. MT) to provide information on the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to potential applicants. In addition to describing the FOA, information will be provided on who is eligible to apply, what an application needs to include, cost share and other requirements, how to ask questions, and how applications will be selected for funding. If you are unable to attend the webinar, it will be recorded and posted for later viewing.

National NAGPRA Program Webinars
2024-03-15 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
The National NAGPRA Program will host a series of 10 webinars on the new regulations on the third Friday of every month from 1pm to 2:30pm Eastern time. Registration is required, but the meeting information is always the same. Register once and attend any session. Mark your calendars and bring your questions. https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_lh7ZTDUUR3KuMODpLhqwPw
January 19, 2024 – Overview of Revised Regulations, Watch Recording
February 16, 2024 – Deep dive into Repatriation of Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects, Watch Recording
March 15, 2024 – Deep dive into Repatriation of Cultural Items
April 19, 2024 – Notices under NAGPRA

Treasury Tribal Consultation: TTAC Subcommittee Project Plan and Report on Tribal Pension Issues
2024-03-19 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Project Plan and Report on Tribal Pension Issues
March 19 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
The Report is a work product of the TTAC. It highlights issues that Tribal employers have raised under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA ‘06), including related provisions under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and section 3(32) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and contains proposed recommendations.

FEMA Webinar: Grants Portal Functionality with EMMIE Decommissioning Training
2024-03-20 11:30 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
FEMA is hosting a webinar and in-depth training to provide information, guidance, and answer questions on its official system of record for Public Assistance grant activities – Grants Manager and Grants Portal. The informational webinar will provide an overview and timeline of the decommissioning process of the agency’s Emergency Management Mission Integrated Environment (EMMIE) system, and the training will help enhance user experience with the system as the agency replaces EMMIE with the more modern, transparent, and accessible Grants Manager and Grants Portal systems.

Audience: State, Tribal, and Territorial partners – Recipient level
Host: Public Assistance Training and Development Branch, SLTT Section

What:
The Public Assistance Training and Development Branch, SLTT Section will be hosting a Grants Portal Overview in response to scheduled EMMIE decommissioning. The overview will highlight the Grants Portal functionality for completing Amendments, Time Extensions, Closeout and Reporting with the decommissioning of EMMIE.
Additionally, a registration process will be shared for participating in additional training webinars to review in depth the Grants Portal and Grants Manager workflow for each of the following: Amendments, Time Extensions, Closeout and Reporting. Webinars will be available on FEMA YouTube at a future date.
Why:
To assist our State, Tribal and Territorial partners in managing the impact of EMMIE decommissioning and transitioning fully to Grants Portal for the management of Public Assistance grants.
When: March 20, 2024 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. ET
Where: Zoom https://fema.zoomgov.com/j/1610975089
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Or One tap mobile :
+16692545252,,1610975089# US (San Jose)
+16469641167,,1610975089# US (US Spanish Line)
Dial by your location
+1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)
+1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
+1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)
+1 415 449 4000 US (US Spanish Line)
+1 551 285 1373 US (New Jersey)
Meeting ID: 161 097 5089
Passcode: [REDACTED]

IHS Virtual HSPD-12 for Background Investigations Information Session
2024-03-20 14:30 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
March 20 at 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Zoom link

USDA Forest Service Informational Webinar on Funding Opportunity for Invasive Species Funding for Work on Tribal Lands
2024-03-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
March 21 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
Microsoft Teams Meeting link
Proposal Template

US Army Corps of Engineers Public Virtual Meeting on Rescinding Appendix C
2024-03-21 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
the US Army Corps of Engineers formally proposed rescinding Appendix C of its regulatory program and instead following the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP)’s regulations for implementing the National Historic Preservation Act. You can view the proposal HERE. This would represent a big win for THPOs and Tribal Nations, one that has been a long time coming. NATHPO has been working diligently with THPOs and allied organizations to advocate for this change.
The Corps of Engineers will be holding two virtual meetings to discuss this proposal, one open to the public on February 22 and a second for Tribal Nations on March 21. The Zoom information for those sessions is below. Additionally, comments on this proposal are due April 9, 2024. NATHPO will be preparing a comment letter, which we will share with you when it’s ready. NATHPO will also be hosting a webinar for THPOs and Tribal representatives to talk through these proposed changes and hear questions and your concerns directly. We will share the details of that webinar as soon as they are finalized.
Appendix C Virtual Meeting Information:
Public Virtual Meeting on February 22, 2024 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST
Webinar Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/s/1611505118
Call-in Information:
Phone Number: 669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 161 272 1966
Tribal Virtual Meeting on March 21, 2024 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT
Webinar Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/s/1612721966
Call-in Information:
Phone Number: 669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 161 272 1966

Monthly CDFI Certification Conference Calls
2024-03-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
The CDFI Fund conducts monthly CDFI Certification Conference Calls which are intended to serve as a forum for potential CDFI Certification Applicants, Certified CDFIs, and other CDFI Certification stakeholders to ask questions and discuss CDFI Certification and the CDFI Certification process.
Access InstructionsTo access conference calls participants need to call the toll-free number (800) 369-1639 and dial in the numeric Participant Passcode [REDACTED]. No prior registration is necessary. Please note the dial in process is automated. The conference call will have a moderator to direct the Q&As. Please note all call are Eastern Time (ET).
CDFI Certification Conference Call Schedule

Thursday, February 15, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, March 21, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, April 18, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, May 16, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, June 20, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, July 18, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, August 15, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, September 19, 2024 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Thursday, October 17, 2024 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Thursday, November 21, 2024 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Thursday, December 19, 2024 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET

CDFI CONTACT INFORMATION

Have questions/concerns about CDFI Certification?
OCPE Helpdesk
Email: OCPECert@cdfi.treas.gov
Phone: (202) 653-0423
IT Helpdesk
Email: ithelpdesk@cdfi.treas.gov
Phone: (202) 653-0300

VA Listening Session on Veterans Cemetery Grants Program
2024-03-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
The VA is having a listening session to
discuss issues affecting compliance with certain terms and conditions of grants made by the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) as well as proposed regulatory changes affecting Tribes. Section 2408 of Title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.) and implementing regulations in Part 39 of Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) govern processes and criteria for grant applications, award decisions, and define grantee responsibilities to meet specified grant terms and conditions. These requirements affect all VCGP grantees, but the focus of this listening session will be to facilitate communication with Tribal Leaders on the following topics for discussion.
NCA wants successful outcomes for Tribal grantee cemeteries. Our goal for the listening session is to better understand the unique aspects of American Indian and Alaska Native communities that may impact their ability to comply with VCGP requirements. This input will inform NCA as it contemplates potential actions and changes that may affect Tribal grantees. Additionally, NCA is developing regulatory amendments that would require grantees to inter Veterans and other eligible individuals and to eliminate residency restrictions on interment and memorialization in VA grant-funded cemeteries. Tribal input is needed on the impact, if any, of these proposed changes. Below are issues NCA has identified for discussion having administered cemetery grants to fourteen Tribal Nations:

Maintaining the cemetery according to NCA Operational Standards and Measures.
Correcting deficiencies identified during a Compliance Review assessment of the cemetery.
Submitting Annual VA Form 40-0241 (VA Grant-Funded Veterans Cemetery Data) documenting current burial activity at the cemetery, use of gravesites, and additional operational information intended to answer questions about the status of the grant program.
Clarifying any potential impacts of regulatory changes currently under consideration by VA.

They welcome input from Tribal Leaders (or their designee) on questions presented below but are open to any other topics Tribal Leaders would like to raise.

What solutions would Tribal Leaders suggest to improve Tribal Veterans’ cemeteries compliance with grant terms and conditions, specifically meeting NCA Operational Standards and Measures? What are some of the challenges facing Tribal grantees?
Do Tribal Veteran cemeteries have Tribal membership requirements? Would Tribes be affected by a proposed regulation that would require grant funded cemeteries to inter individuals eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery without regard to State residency?
What means of communication work best for Tribal Veteran grantees and communities?
Are there other recommendations, concerns, or suggestions that VA should consider?

VA invites you to participate in a virtual listening session to discuss these issues, clarify ambiguities, and address any other topics of concern to enhance collaboration between NCA and Tribal Cemeteries.
The virtual listening session has been scheduled to address the above topics on Monday, March 25, 2024, 3:00-5:00 pm (Eastern Time). Participants can access the session hosted on Teams by using the following methods:

Join on your computer’s Teams app using this link: Click here to join the meeting.
Join on the Teams web-based platform using this link: Join on the web and enter Meeting ID: 247 382 430 590 and Passcode: [REDACTED]
Call in (audio only) by dialing +1 872-701-0185, then enter when prompted the Conference ID 390440417#.

Please submit written comments to tribalgovernmentconsultation@va.gov before March 25, 2024. For questions regarding these efforts, please contact James Earp, Director, Veterans Cemetery Grants Program by email at james.earp@va.gov or by phone at 202-461-0620 (not a toll-free number).
