United South & Eastern Tribes

Department of Homeland Security Listening Sessions on Environmental Justice Program
2024-01-29 14:30 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

American Climate Corp Listening Session
2024-02-01 09:00 | 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.

IHS Consultation on Proposed $250 Million Opioid Response Supplemental Funding Request
2024-02-01 15:30 - 17:30 | Virtual Event
The Indian Health Service (IHS) has announced it is initiating consultation on President Biden’s domestic supplemental funding request, which would provide $250 million to the IHS to address the ongoing opioid and fentanyl crises. The funding request has not been taken up by Congress yet, but the IHS is holding consultation in order to efficiently allocate the funds if they are enacted. USET SPF stated our support for these supplemental funds in our testimony for the record for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs’ (SCIA) hearing on fentanyl in Tribal communities.
IHS will hold the consultation on February 1, 2024 from 4:30 – 6:30 pm EST. Interested participants may join using this link. The IHS will accept written comments on this topic until March 4, 2024. Additional information can be found in the Dear Tribal Leader Letter.

HHS Tribal Consultation on Draft Tribal and Tribal Epidemiology Center Data Access Policy
2024-02-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Draft HHS TTDA Policy
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) invites Tribal leader feedback and recommendations on its draft HHS Tribal and Tribal Epidemiology Center Data Access (TTDA) Policy . The policy outlines the types of data to be made available to Tribes and Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs) acting in their capacities as public health authorities. It also serves to establish HHS-wide expectations for Divisions responding to Tribal and TEC data requests covered by the policy, including through the development of Division-specific implementation protocols.
The draft TTDA Policy was developed based on extensive Tribal input received during HHS consultations held in October 2022, as well as internal analyses of Division data system requirements and legal considerations. Feedback provided by Tribal leaders on the enclosed draft policy will assist in the preparation of the final policy later this year. Comments are welcome on all aspects of the draft policy. HHS is also specifically requesting Tribal feedback on a series of questions posed in its Dear Tribal Leader Letter announcing the consultation.
HHS invites Tribal leaders to the following opportunities to provide input and feedback on the draft policy.
Virtual Consultation:
Date: February 6, 2024
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM EST
Call-In: 669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 161-416-1119
ZoomGov Registration:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsc-iurzorE5MWGjSDXfNG0spDpVXEm9o (-> click.connect.hhs.gov)
Written Comment Period:
Written comments are requested by March 5, 2024. Please send comments via one of the following methods:
Email: consultation@hhs.gov
Subject Line: HHS Tribal Data Policy
Postal Mail: Acting Director Jess Smith
Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs
Hubert Humphrey Building
200 Independence Ave. SW
Mail Stop: 620E
Washington, DC 20201

Indian School Equalization Program Tribal Listening Session
2024-02-07 14:00 - 16:00, 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.

DHS Consultation on Draft Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Projects at DHS-owned Facilities
2024-02-15 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-02-16 12:30 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
On September 13, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) sent an invitation to consult to Tribal Nations on the development of a Program Alternative to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act pursuant to 36 C.F.R. 800.14, for certain undertakings to enhance climate resiliency and sustainability, reduce energy and water consumption, and increase use of renewable energy at DHS owned facilities. They held two information and listening sessions for Tribal Nations on October 18, 2023, where 45 Tribal Nations, Alaskan Native Corporations, and non-governmental organizations engaged in dialogue with Departmental historic preservation staff. During the 75-day public comment period that closed December 1, 2023, we received comments from five (5) Tribal Nations.
Based on comments received, DHS has revised its draft nationwide programmatic agreement and they invite your Tribal Nation to consult at the following consultation meeting via Microsoft Teams for the following dates and times:

February 15, 2024 – 3:00-4:30pm, Eastern Time
Microsoft Teams – Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 249 221 939 001 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Call-in (audio only): +1 202-516-6093,,946944557#
February 16, 2024 – 1:30-3:00pm, Eastern Time
Microsoft Teams – Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 274 705 618 53 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Call-in (audio only): +1 202-516-6093,,543488495#

Additionally, they request written comments on the revised draft Nationwide Programmatic Agreement be provided by February 27, 2024, via email at sep-ephp@hq.dhs.gov. The red line and clean versions of the document are below as is the comment matrix containing comments received and DHS’s response.

DRAFT – DHS nPA for Resilience and Sustainability – 1.3.2024 RED LINE.docx
Draft NPA Comments and Info.Listening Sessions – 1.3.2024.xlsx
DHS DRAFT nPA for Resilience and Sustainability – DTLL-2 01172024.pdf
DHS DRAFT nPA for Resilience and Sustainability – DTLL-1 09132023.pdf
DRAFT – DHS nPA for Resilience and Sustainability – 1.3.2024 CLEAN.docx

US Army Corps of Engineers Public Virtual Meeting on Rescinding Appendix C
2024-02-22 12:00 - 14:00, 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

DOI Listening Session on Climate Adaptation Plan
2024-02-26 15:00 - 17:00, 2024-02-27 13:00 - 15:00, 2024-02-28 16:00 - 18:00, 2024-02-29 14:00 - 16:00 | 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.

FEMA Tribal Consultation on Individual Assistance Reform
2024-02-27 14:00 | Virtual Event
February 27 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Framing Paper
Register
FEMA will host a virtual tribal consultation with Tribal Nations to discuss the Individual Assistance (IA) Reform. The purpose of this consultation is to gather Tribal Nation’s feedback on the new IA Reform that will help inform the implementation of this rule, share key elements of the rule, and offer valuable input on how FEMA can better meet the needs of Tribal Nations through this rule.

NIEA Listening Session: Interagency Listening Session during National Indian Education Association Hill Week
2024-02-28 14:00 - 16:30 | Embassy Suites Washington DC, 900 10th St NEW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
February 28 at 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm Eastern
Embassy Suites by Hilton, Washington, DC Convention Center, 900 10th Street NW Washington, DC 20001.
The following federal agencies invite you and other important stakeholders to attend a listening session in conjunction with the National Indian Education Association’s (NIEA) 2024 Hill Week on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 3 – 5:30 p.m. ET:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Native Americans (ANA), the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), the U.S. Department of Education Office of Indian Education (OIE), and the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities (WHI-NATCU).
This listening session aims to identify Tribal data priorities and traditional knowledge in education. High-quality, culturally relevant data collection is critical to serving the educational needs of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (Native) students. Native Nations maintain a sovereign right to collect, use, manage, and access their data.
The above agencies are seeking input on perspectives from Native Nations regarding the collection, development, protection, and application of sovereign data (e.g., cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and Native languages).
This listening session will seek input on the following questions:

What recommendations do you have on improving data sovereignty procedures and data agreements with Native Nations in the educational sector?
How can the federal government improve the quality and application of Native educational data?
How can the federal government respectfully obtain permission to collect data from your community?
What recommendations do you have for further improving federal engagement with Native Nations on data collection?
What current benefits or barriers does your community experience with the current status of data reporting?
How best should the federal government make decisions regarding access to the data in a way that respects the autonomy and cultural values of the Native Nations and communities?
What recommendations do you have for specific federal reforms regarding the use of traditional knowledge in the U.S. educational system?
How can the federal government co-steward with Native Nations, Native and non-profit organizations, states, schools, and higher education institutions to create or improve protections (e.g., memorandum of understanding, consent letters, etc.)?
When collecting data, are there certain types of questions or topics that your community would prefer not to answer?
What kind of assurances (e.g., protections of cultural knowledge and intellectual property) from the federal government would your Native Nation or Native language community need to participate in the federal government’s data collection and surveys?

The NIEA 2024 Hill Week and listening session will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Washington, DC Convention Center, 900 10th Street NW Washington, DC 20001.
In addition to providing feedback in person at the listening session, written feedback can be emailed to whcnaa@bia.gov. The deadline to submit feedback is March 28, 2024.
If you have any questions regarding the listening session, please contact Hannah Kozik, Leadership for Educational Equity Fellow, at hannah.kozik@ed.gov.

BIE Listening Session
2024-02-28 14:30 - 16:30 | Embassy Suites Washington DC, 900 10th St NEW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
February 28 at 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Eastern (in conjunction with the National Indian Education Association’s (NIEA) 2024 Hill Week)
Embassy Suites by Hilton
Washington, DC Convention Center
900 10th Street NW
Washington, DC 20002
The purpose of this listening session is to identify American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (Native) data priorities and traditional knowledge in education. High-quality, culturally relevant data collection is critical to serving the educational needs of Native students. Native Nations maintain a sovereign right in the collection, use, management, and access of their own data.
In addition to providing feedback in person at the listening session, written feedback can be provided via email to whcnaa@bia.gov. The deadline to submit feedback is March 28, 2024.
If you have any questions regarding the listening session, please contact Stephanie Conduff at stephanie.conduff@bie.edu.

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

USDA Forest Service Tribal Consultation on the National Old Growth Amendment
2024-03-27 13:30 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service invites you to consult on the National Old Growth Amendment (NOGA). The Forest Service Washington Office will host multiple opportunities for collaboration and consultation throughout the NOGA process to incorporate Tribal government and ANC perspectives. We hope you or a member of your staff will be able to participate in the first engagement, which will be a collaborative virtual Tribal Forum on March 27, 2024.
The NOGA invitation to consult and summary analysis are hyperlinked below and attached:

Invitation to Consult: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/4ooig74vs5tj7ztpfrz6ikff5jrlg58s
Summary Analysis: https://usfs-public.box.com/s/3qvycbpn0hhm7yunc8esa4y9us3a5mcu

Tribal Forum Details
March 27, 2024 at 2:30 pm Eastern
Register
This information is also available online through the National Consultation Calendar at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/tribal-relations/national-consultation. The Office of Tribal Relations is utilizing email to ensure timely communication of this opportunity to consult on national initiatives.
The Office of Tribal Relations is available to facilitate consultation with Deputy Chief Chris French, the delegated consulting official at the national level. You may also consult on national policy with a Regional Forester or Forest Supervisor in lieu of Deputy Chief Chris French. Line Officers will summarize issues and report the outcomes of consultation to the Deputy Chief and the Office of Tribal Relations. Consultation may be requested at any time during the implementation of the National Old Growth Amendment.
Please contact the Regional Tribal Relations Program Manager in your area or Reed Robinson, Director of the Office of Tribal Relations in Washington, D.C., at SM.FS.otrtribalcon@usda.gov to request consultation on the proposed policy or to ask any questions. For your convenience, your Regional Forester, Regional Tribal Relations Program Manager, and Research Station Tribal Relations Program Manager are copied on this email.

DOI Consultation to Receive Feedback on Potential NPS Activity
2024-04-02 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Tuesday, April 2 at 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
Zoom link
Thursday, April 4 at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Zoom link
In June 2021, Secretary Deb Haaland (Secretary) launched the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative (Initiative) at the U.S. Department of the Interior (Department) to highlight the troubled history of Federal Indian boarding school policies and their legacy for Indigenous Peoples. To address the intergenerational impact of Federal Indian boarding schools and to promote spiritual and emotional healing in our communities, we must acknowledge and shed light on the traumas of the past.
In May of 2022, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland released Volume I of the Investigative Report, as called for as part of the Initiative. Volume I of the report lays the groundwork for the Department’s continued advancement of the Initiative, in coordination with sister agencies.
Through generous investments from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Mellon Foundation, we have provided a grant to the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) to gather first-person survivor narratives. These will help form a permanent oral history collection and ensure stories and experiences that Federal Indian boarding school survivors share can be learned from and heard by current and future generations.
To build on this work, the Secretary has also directed the National Park Service (NPS), often referred to as our nation’s storyteller, to explore opportunities for enhanced interpretation of this history and preservation of related resources. This examination could include potential opportunities through NPS programs and historic Federal Indian boarding school sites, burial sites, and artifacts.
The Department will consult with Indian Tribes to receive feedback on potential NPS activity regarding preservation and interpretation of the Federal Indian boarding school system.
In addition to receiving general input, the Department is seeking specific views to the following questions:

How should the history of the Federal Indian boarding school system be acknowledged and publicly shared at sites within existing national park units? Are there other sites critical to preserving the boarding school system history?
How can NPS’s historic preservation programs support the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative?
Should the Department invest support or resources to protect the physical sites of historical Federal Indian boarding schools that are currently located on Federal lands, including burial sites and artifacts, even as Federal agencies fulfill their responsibilities for repatriation or disinterment
Would you like to share any additional suggestions or comments related to the NPS preservation and interpretation of the Federal Indian boarding school system?

The Department welcomes your written comments on the proposed NPS activity related
to the historical Federal Indian boarding school system by email to consultation@bia.gov
by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, April 12, 2024.
If you have any questions regarding the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, please contact Mr. Joaquin R. Gallegos, Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, by email at joaquin.gallegos@indianaffairs.gov.

HHS Tribal Consultation on the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
2024-04-03 14:30 | Virtual Event
April 3 at 3:30 pm Eastern
Register in advance
The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is committed to partnering on a nation-to-nation basis with Tribes to ensure the wellbeing of Tribal children and preservation of Tribal families. We invite you to provide your input on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations to require state title IV-E agencies to collect and report additional data elements related to the procedural requirements related to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA). The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 23, 2024 (89 FR 13652).
The NPRM proposes to require State title IV-E agencies to collect and report data elements on: (1) whether the state inquired with named entities as to whether the child is an Indian child as defined in ICWA and when the agency first discovered information indicating that the child is or may be an Indian child as defined in ICWA; (2) information on court determinations that ICWA applies for the child, and whether the testimony of one or more qualified expert witnesses was included for voluntary and involuntary terminations of parental rights, and removals; (3) whether the child’s parent or Indian custodian was sent notice in accordance with ICWA; (4) information on requests to transfer cases to tribal court; (5) information on meeting the placement preferences under ICWA; and (6) whether the court determined there was active efforts. This NPRM does not impose any burden or cost on Tribal title IV-E agencies because ICWA does not apply to Tribal title IV-E agencies, therefore, they do not have to report the data elements proposed in this NPRM. However, we are seeking input from Tribes.
ACF uses AFCARS data for a variety of requirements, including but not limited to providing national statistics on the child welfare population, budgeting, providing reports to Congress, and monitoring compliance with the titles IV-B and IV-E requirements.
The Tribal consultation is open to all tribal leaders or their designees and may address any aspect of the NPRM. In addition to participating in the tribal consultation webinar, ACF encourages Tribal leaders to submit comments in writing in response to the NPRM to Regulations.gov. The deadline for the receipt of written comments in response to the NPRM is April 23, 2024.
You may submit written comments to the NPRM in any of the following ways:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Use this link for the NPRM, click the “Comment now!” button and follow the instructions for submitting comments: https://www.regulations.gov/document/ACF-2024-0001-0001
The Children’s Bureau recommends use of this method.
Email: CBComments@acf.hhs.gov. Include docket number and/or RIN number in subject line of the message.

Additional information is provided in Information Memoranda ACYF-CB-IM-24-02.
If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Bethany Imbody at bethany.imbody@icf.com.

Treasury Tribal Consultation: Elective Pay and Certain Joint Ownership
2024-04-05 12:00 | Virtual Event
Tribal consultation on Elective Pay and Certain Joint Ownership Arrangements will be held virtually on April 5, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Treasury will accept comments until May 10th, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Alaska Time.
Read the Dear Tribal Leader Letter for the Tribal Consultation
