USET 2023 Tribal Utility Finance Forum
2023-05-16 - 2023-05-17 | Paragon Casino Resort, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, LA, 71351, United States
USET is excited to present the hybrid USET 2023 Tribal Utility Finance Forum (TUFF) on the sacred homelands of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, LA.
Agenda

When: May 16-17, 2023, at 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Central/9:00 am – 6:00 pm Eastern each day

Where: Paragon Casino Resort, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, LA 71351
To make your hotel reservation, please call the Paragon Casino Resort at (800) 642-7777, and refer to the 2023 Tribal Utility Finance Forum – USTM15G.

Who should attend: All USET member Tribal Utility Supervisors and Managers, Finance, Planners and Economic Development staff.

What: New to Tribal Utilities? TUFF will discuss when Tribal Nations have secured funding for utilities and need assistance on the next steps, such as

Rate analysis
Benchmarking
Budgeting and Planning
Workforce Retention
Funding opportunities
Cyber Security

Meet agencies such as, USDA Rural Development, Department of Energy, National American Indian Housing Council, Department of Transportation (tentative).

Register: Registration link

Stipends: Stipends will be available for one person from each USET member Tribal Nation to assist with travel expenses.

Virtual Platform: If you are a virtual attendee, log in to the Attendee Website to view agendas, add sessions to your personal schedule, network with other attendees and attend virtual sessions. When it’s time for the session to begin, a “Join Session” button will appear. You must register for the meeting to have access to the Attendee Website.

Resources:

Attendee Guide
Setting Up Your Profile on the Attendee Website
Adding to Your Schedule on the Attendee Website

Meeting App
Download the USET/USET SPF Events app from your app store. Then within the app search for USET 2023 Tribal Utility Finance Forum. Download the event to the app. You can use it to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, create your personal schedule, view all agendas, and connect with attendees.
If you have used the app for a previous USET meeting, you will need to exit that event. Click on your profile, go to settings, and click “exit the event” at the bottom of the screen. Then search for USET 2023 Tribal Utility Finance Forum and download the event to your app.

Open the app in Google Play
Open the app in the Apple Store

COVID Protocols
The USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (USET TEC) is a recognized public health authority supported by the Tribal Nations within the USET region. Throughout the course of the COVID pandemic, we have relied on their expertise to guide us to ensure for the overall safety, health, and wellness for our members, staff, and event attendees. As the impacts of COVID have evolved, we have continued to assess our protocols to ensure that they remain reflective of the current status of the pandemic.
Currently (as of 04/17/2023, subject to change), USET is no longer requiring proof of vaccination to attend USET-sponsored meetings. A supply of masks and tests will be made available for attendees to use at their discretion.

For questions, please contact Veronica Menta, USET OERM Financial Analyst, at vmenta@usetinc.org.

NWR BIA Transportation Symposium
2023-05-16 - 2023-05-17
Date: May 16 – 17, 2023
Location: Northern Quest Resort and Casino I Airway Heights, WA
Register I Hotel Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-871-6772. The room block is under “2023 NWRO Transportation Symposium”. The cut off date is April 13, 2023

National Violent Death Reporting System Conference
2023-05-16 - 2023-05-18
Join us for the first-ever National Violent Death Reporting System Conference, held in Milwaukee from May 16-18, 2023. This meeting will bring together researchers, practitioners and a host of others that are engaged in violence prevention work at the local, state and national levels.

Session topics will include health equity research, youth suicide, data to action, substance use, firearm deaths, geography and so much more.

Don’t miss an opportunity to engage with an array of stakeholders who will showcase findings from the NVDRS and demonstrate how the use of NVDRS data has helped to develop, expand and sustain violence prevention programs and other related efforts. Learn more.
Registration rates:

General attendee: $150
Governmental employee (local, state, federal): $100
Student: $50

Register

DOT PHMSA Webinar: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Center of Excellence
2023-05-17 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
You are invited to the “LNG Center of Excellence Webinar” on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, from 1 – 2 PM EST hosted by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The Center is being established following a Congressional Report submitted as a requirement of Section 111 of the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020. At the webinar, you will learn about the establishment of the National Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and ways you can provide input. To register, please use the link below.
The webinar will focus on the purpose of the Center, activities completed to date, and discuss how comments can be submitted to inform the establishment and future direction of the Center.
Please register to attend by clicking this link: Registration Link

USDA APHIS Tribal Webinar: Tribal Training for FY23 CWD Funding Opportunity
2023-05-17 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-05-22 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
On April 11th, 2023, APHIS announced making over $12 million available for Tribal Nations, Tribal organizations, state agencies, research institutes, and universities to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in farmed and wild cervids (e.g., deer, elk). All opportunities are open to Federally Recognized Native American Tribal governments, including a separate $500,000 funding opportunity for activities controlling or preventing CWD in wild cervids on Tribal lands.
May 8, 2023 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
Web Join
Meeting ID: 161 367 5936
Meeting Password: [REDACTED]
May 17, 2023 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Web Join
Meeting ID: 160 638 8763
Meeting Password: [REDACTED]
Dial-in information:
+1 669-254-5252 US ()
+1 646-828-7666 US ()
May 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
Web Join
Meeting ID: 160 638 8763
Meeting Password: [REDACTED]
Dial-in information:
+1 669-254-5252 US ()
+1 646-828-7666 US ()
For more information contact Denise Salvetti at denise.salvetti@usda.gov.

HHS OCR Tribal Consultation on HIPAA Privacy Rule as it Relates to Reproductive Healthcare
2023-05-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
May 17 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Register
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
On April 17, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Pub. L. 104–191, as it relates to reproductive health. The Privacy Rule governs the disclosure and use of patient information and safeguards the privacy of protected health information (PHI), subject to certain exemptions. OCR is proposing regulatory changes to prohibit the disclosure or use of PHI for limited purposes in connection with obtaining, providing, or facilitating reproductive healthcare. These include a prohibition on disclosures or use of such PHI for criminal, civil, or administrative investigations, among others.
OCR is consulting with Tribal Nations on the proposed rulemaking. A virtual Tribal consultation will take place on May 17 from 2:00 – 3:30pm ET. Tribal leaders may register HERE for the virtual portion. During the consultation, OCR will share information about the proposed regulatory changes and will receive input from Tribal Nations on their HIPAA Privacy Rule concerns and priorities as they relate to reproductive healthcare. The attached Dear Tribal Leader Letter contains further information, as well as guidelines for submitting comments on the proposed rulemaking, which are due June 16 through www.regulations.gov (-> click.connect.hhs.gov) (Docket OCR-0945-AA20).
Please contact Devin Delrow, Acting Principal Advisor for Tribal Affairs, at (202) 868-0013 or at consultation@hhs.gov with any questions about this Tribal Consultation.

Community Talk Series: Our Languages
2023-05-17 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-05-24 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
May 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern: will focus on language users and learners
May 17, 2023, at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern: will focus on capacity building and planning needs
May 24, 2023, at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern: will focus on focus on best practices and government accountability

Register
The National Indian Education Association (NIEA), the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and other National Language partners want to hear directly from Native language learners, practitioners, teachers, activists, and tribal leaders about the current successes, needs, and landscape of our languages, and will be hosting three webinars on language issues. The first session will take place on May 3, 2023, at 2:00—3:30 p.m. EDT and will focus on language users and learners; the second session will take place on May 17, 2023, at 2:00—3:30 p.m. EDT and will focus on capacity building and planning needs; and the final session will take place on May 24, 2023, at 2:00—3:30 p.m. with a focus on best practices and government accountability. These sessions are meant to be safe and productive spaces to have serious conversations about the future of our languages and what is needed to continue to protect and strengthen them for the coming generations.

Healing the Spirit of Native Youth Town Halls
2023-05-17 19:00 | Virtual Event
The National UNITY Council’s (NUC) Executive Committee invites all youth within the network to sign up for one of the four upcoming virtual Town Halls. The purpose of these town hall meetings are to gather Native youth’s views on UNITY’s National Initiative to address wellness and restore tribal support systems. Youth are welcomed to share their solutions and challenges with their representatives. All feedback collected by the NUC Youth Program will be used for next year’s trainings and resource development.
Save the Dates:

Monday, April 10th at 5PM PST
Wednesday, April 26th at 8PM EST
Wednesday, May 17th at 6PM MST
Wednesday, May 24th at 7PM CST

Sign up today

Broadband Technical Assistance Webinar for Tribal Nations and Tribal Entities
2023-05-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Eastern
Register
On April 19th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) began accepting applications from entities interested in delivering or receiving broadband technical assistance, and supporting the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives.
USDA is offering funding under the new Broadband Technical Assistance Program. $20 million is available to support technical assistance projects such as conducting feasibility studies, completing network designs and developing broadband financial assistance applications. Funding is also available to help organizations access federal resources, and to conduct data collection and reporting.
As part of the USDA’s continued efforts to bring broadband service to Tribes and Tribal Entities, the BTA program has identified Tribal Lands as targeted communities for BTA projects. This means that entities proposing to provide service on Tribal Lands may receive additional points as part of the BTA scoring criteria. Additionally, all non-Tribal entities proposing to provide service over or on Tribal Lands must obtain a certification from the appropriate Tribe(s).
RUS will be hosting a BTA webinar specifically for Tribes, Tribal Entities, and those planning to provide service on Tribal Lands on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 1:00PM to 2:00PM Eastern. The webinar will include:

An overview of the recently published FOA
Key Considerations for Tribal Communities
Importance of coordination with Tribes and Tribal Entities
How to apply
An opportunity for attendees to ask questions

USDA RUS staff will answer as many questions as time permits.
Slides, a transcript, and a recording of each webinar will be posted on the Broadband Technical Assistance website after each session.

DOE Tribal Power Preference Listening Session
2023-05-18 13:30 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Listening Session Polling Questions
May 18, 2023, from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
Register
Please join the upcoming Tribal Power Preference Listening Session hosted by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs’ (Office of Indian Energy) and Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) in partnership with General Services Administration (GSA) and Department of Defense (DOD), and in coordination with the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA).
The listening session will be held virtually May 18, 2023, from 2:30 pm to 4:30pm Eastern Time. Please confirm your virtual attendance by registering here.
The goal of the listening session will be to gain important insight directly from Tribal Nations, Tribally owned businesses, Tribal utilities, and Tribal entrepreneurs regarding any interest, availability, development, or challenges associated with generating and selling electricity to the Federal Government using the Preference. Your participation is critically important in helping them develop an effective strategy which reflects your input and addresses any issues. During the listening session, they will engage participants through a series of questions to obtain your feedback. See the polling questions above.

USET Virtual Sessions | The Power of CEDS
2023-05-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Economic Development is updating the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and your input is needed to update the economic development action plan for the next five years. The CEDS serves as an action plan for USET to support Tribal Nation’s community economic development efforts – assist them in growing businesses, creating employment opportunities, and attracting capital investment that leads to nation rebuilding.
When: May 4, May 11, and May 18 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Central/3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
Who Should Attend each Session? (Interested parties within USET member Tribal Nations can attend one or all of the outreach sessions.)

May 4 – Tribal Leaders
During this session conversations will concentrate on Tribal Leadership’s unique role and perspective on the governance of economic development work.
May 11 – Tribal Enterprises/Board members
During this session discussion will focus on Tribal Enterprises’ business development trends and needs for sustainable economic development activities.
May 18 – Native Business Owners
During this session discussions will seek input from individual Native business owners, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in the understanding of hurdles and opportunities to rebuild vibrant and strong Tribal economies.

What will you learn? The CEDS update will evaluate the accomplishments and assess the impacts from the 2016 CEDS, outline key strategies/initiatives for USET to adopt that help member Tribal Nations achieve their economic development goals, define resiliency strategies for Tribal communities that ensure a strong future, and establish a system that continually measures impact.
Register today to attend via Zoom!

Department of Transportation Webinar on Identifying Discretionary Grant Opportunities
2023-05-22 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Join speakers from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative, and the Office of the Secretary for a webinar on May 22 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT to learn more about how to identify and respond to Federal transportation grant opportunities. The webinar will showcase the USDOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard, a new tool that makes it easier to search for and find grant opportunities depending on the type of project you have, your organization type, and other considerations like match requirements. Rural, tribal and local governments will find this an especially helpful tool. The webinar will also highlight the FHWA’s Wildlife Crossings Programand the PROTECT Program– both of which are currently accepting applications; and other new resources available on the USDOT Navigator. This webinar is free to attend but registration is required – register here.
Scheduled speakers include:

Christopher Coes, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy
Michael Close, ROUTES Initiative
Coral Torres Cruz, FHWA
Mariia Zimmerman, Office of the Secretary

NAHASDA & Low Income Housing Tax Credits Certification Course
2023-05-23 - 2023-05-25 | Courtyard San Diego Old Town, 2435 Jefferson Street, San Diego, CA, 92119, United States
Leadership Institute: NTCCP: NAHASDA & Low Income Housing Tax Credits Certification
May 23-25, 2023
San Diego, CA
This intensive, three-day training course is designed to provide tribal housing professionals with an overview of the federal Low-income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and how the program can complement other tribal housing initiatives. The course provides both a general explanation of the program and describes detailed procedures and requirements for continuing operational compliance under both the LIHTC and the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) programs.
The class addresses the fundamentals of tax credit compliance from a global perspective and explains how compliance can be integrated into an existing property management operation. Participants will also learn about tenant compliance requirements and the cost and penalties associated with non-compliance. A discussion of how NAHASDA relates to the LIHTC program will also be explored, with emphasis on the admissions and occupancy requirements.
To receive the NAHASDA and Tax Credit Compliance Professional (NTCCP) certification, participants must successfully pass the NTCCP exam at the end of the course and:

Demonstrate a minimum of two years’ experience in NAHASDA-LIHTC-related projects;
Complete Certification of Work Experience; and
Execute the NTCCP Code of Professional Responsibility

This training is recommended for current LIHTC staff, Housing Services, Admissions & Occupancy, Executive and Administrative staff, Board Members, and other interested individuals.
This course qualifies as credit towards the NAIHC Leadership Institute Occupancy Management track certification and the Professional Indian Housing Manager (PIHM) certification.
AGENDA
COURSE DESCRIPTION

Where:
Courtyard San Diego Old Town
2435 Jefferson Street
San Diego, CA 92119
619-260-8500
Room Rate: $181/night plus tax
Parking: $27/day
Check-in: 4:00pm
Check-out: 12:00 pm
Must be 21 to check-in
HOTEL BOOKING LINK | Block open until April 23, 2023

Registration:
Registration is $700 per person and payable by credit card or check. Checks may be hand-delivered to the event with advance notice. Please use the address below for payment.
National American Indian Housing Council
122 C Street NW, Suite 505
Washington, DC 20001
naihc.net

Historical Trauma and Its Relation to COVID
2023-05-23 13:00 | Virtual Event
As Native elders reflect on their early years, historical events of isolation and depression resurface the trauma they experienced at boarding schools. Join UNITE (Uniting Nursing Homes in Tribal Excellence) for a discussion of historical trauma and its relation to COVID.
Objectives:

Highlight the importance of giving elders a voice as they deal with feelings of helplessness and isolation
Discuss Native American ways of fostering community engagement and togetherness
Adopt a consistent approach to building trust

Have questions for our presenters? Let us know before the webinar by emailing ltssinfo@kauffmaninc.com.
Register

Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance: Wise Practices, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO Clinic
2023-05-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. would like to announce the 2023 Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance: Wise Practices, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO Clinic. Native Psychological Brilliance refers to the intelligence, strengths, balance, innate resources, and resilience of Native people. This no-cost telehealth series will be held throughout 2023 on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 1:00 pm Central/2:00 pm Eastern. Each session will be one hour in length.
Who should attend? Tribal Nation health directors, clinic staff, counselors, social workers, physicians, nurses, Tribal Epidemiology Center staff, and anyone supporting Tribal Nation citizens through the health/behavioral health sector are welcome to join.
The one-hour Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance virtual series will provide an opportunity for participants to:

Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health, and
Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and
Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens

The concept of Native psychological brilliance will be celebrated through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series.
Continuing education credits will be provided.
Register in advance for the session.
For questions, please contact Bryan Hendrix, USET THPS Quality Improvement Analyst, at bhendrix@usetinc.org.

Department of Education Tribal Consultation: President’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 Budget Request
2023-05-23 13:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Tuesday, May 23 at 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
via Zoom
Register
To maintain online security, each attendee must register individually, and registration cannot be transferred to or used by others. Once you have completed registration, an individualized access link for the session will be emailed to you with additional information.

On May 23, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) will conduct Tribal Consultation on developing priorities for the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 Budget Request for the Department. The purpose of this consultation will be to receive meaningful input from American Indian and Alaska Native communities to ensure that Tribal leader views inform the FY 2025 budget development process. This consultation will advance the Department’s commitment to upholding the federal trust responsibility described in Executive Order 13175.
In accordance with OMB Circular A-11, the Department has identified grant programs with Tribal implications, though Tribal leaders may provide input on other programs also. The following programs and/or program offices may be of particular interest:
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education:
Office of Indian Education

Indian Education Formula Grants Program
Demonstration Grants for Indian Children and Youth
Indian Education Professional Development Grant Program
State Tribal Education Partnership Grant Program
Native American Language Grant Program

Rural, Insular, and Native Achievement Programs

Alaska Native Education Program

Impact Aid Program
Office of Postsecondary Education:
Institutional Service

American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs),
Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNH),
Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions Program (NASNTI)

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services:
Rehabilitation Services Administration

American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS)

Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education:

Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP)
Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions Program (TCPCTIP)

Office of English Language Acquisition
The consultation will be conducted by the Office of Indian Education and facilitated by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Written Comment Period
In addition to the Tribal Consultation session, the Department will accept written comments by email sent to TribalConsultation@ed.gov. The comment period opens April 21, 2023 and closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 23, 2023. Written comments received prior to the scheduled Tribal Consultation will be provided to Department officials in preparation for the Tribal Consultation. The Department of Education remains steadfast in its commitment to honor the nation-to-nation relationship and advance Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
A Tribal government may designate information provided during the consultation as “sensitive” and request non-disclosure of the information to the public. Certain federal laws, including the Freedom of Information Act, may require the Department to disclose information provided during this Tribal Consultation even if it was designated as sensitive by a Tribal government. Questions about this notice can be sent to TribalConsultation@ed.gov. This Tribal Consultation is closed to the press.

Tribal Transit Symposium
2023-05-24 - 2023-05-25
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) invite you to the first Tribal Transit Symposium on May 24-25, 2023. The Symposium will be held from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central Time each day.
This will be a hybrid event and participants may stream the Symposium live online, or participate in-person at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. In-person participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide input, and receive hands-on technical assistance from DOT/FTA representatives.
This two-day hybrid event will include information and technical assistance on submitting DOT and FTA grant applications, technical assistance for Tribal Transit Programs, and input opportunities at a listening session focused on the Tribal Transit Program. Session topics will include:

DOT/FTA priorities and funding opportunities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
FTA and DOT technical assistance resources
Best practices and emerging industry trends
Interactive engagement with DOT/FTA

Please note: All in-person attendees and virtual participants must register to join the Tribal Transit Symposium. The agenda will be regularly updated as more details become available.

THPS Gathering Circle
2023-05-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
May 24 at 1:00 pm Central/2:00 pm Eastern
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, join THPS for a Gathering Circle focusing on the Mental Health initiatives with the Tribal Nations. Please bring your own lunch to the 2nd floor conference room if you are in the Nashville office. Remote staff can use the Zoom link below to join.
Join via Zoom
Meeting ID: 853 7296 2238
Find your local number: https://usetinc-org.zoom.us/u/koZkrF84i

Tribal Electrification Program Listening Session
2023-05-25 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-05-26 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-05-31 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
The U.S. Department of the Interior (Department) seeks your input regarding Section 80003, Tribal Electrification Program, of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) with respect to Tribal Electrification on Indian land.
The Department will conduct the webinar listening sessions listed below and will accept oral and written comments. Please register in advance for any listening session you plan on attending. 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.
Schedule

May 25, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Eastern
May 26, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Eastern
May 31, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Eastern

White House Council on Native American Affairs Engagement Session on the Inflation Reduction Act
2023-05-30 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader:
The White House and White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) invite you to a virtual engagement session with WHCNAA leadership on May 30, 2023, 12:00pm – 1:30pm EST, to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L.117 – 169) and its expansive scope of benefits to Tribal Nations and Native communities. The Inflation Reduction Act is the most significant piece of clean energy and climate legislation in U.S. history with hundreds of millions of dollars exclusively for Tribal Nations and Native communities.
Date: Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Time: 12:00 PM ET- 1:30 PM ET
Registration link: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_27Q7kXEuRqypmcIg-G4YIw
As WHCNAA co-chair, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland will convene the virtual Tribal engagement session with participation from U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, and Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation John Podesta.
During this engagement session, the Biden-Harris Administration will share the latest updates on the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as highlight funding opportunities, new and improved federal programs, technical assistance resources, and the recently announced Inflation Reduction Act Tribal Guidebook. Tribal leaders are invited to share their input and priorities on how the Inflation Reduction Act can best meet the needs of their communities.
View Dear Tribal Leader Letter with agenda and framing questions.

Indigenous Led Community Relocation: A Case Study – Akiak Native Community
2023-05-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The White House Council on Native American Affairs Climate Adaptation Subcommittee invites you to join a panel of senior Administration and Indian Country leaders for a discussion of Indigenous Led Community Relocation. The speakers will share lessons learned from their experiences in protecting and relocating their village from the changing climate. Speaker biographies are included on the following page. Please register at the Eventbrite link below. Due to the limited time we have together, we are asking that questions are submitted in advance through the Eventbrite link. This event will be recorded.
This is the fourth webinar in the 2023 Tribal and Indigenous Climate Speaker Series hosted by the White House Council of Native American Affairs Climate Adaptation Subcommittee. This monthly series is designed to educate federal agency personnel about consulting and coordinating with Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiians, and other Indigenous Peoples in our combined effort to combat the climate crises. Each webinar will feature Indigenous speakers and/or federal agencies to share knowledge and experience beneficial to federal employees working on climate adaptation priorities.
Learn more and register

RESCHEDULED: USET Lead Program Webinar
2023-05-31 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
UPDATE: This webinar has been rescheduled to June 20, 2023.

The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management presents
the USET Lead Program Webinar
Lead has been globally recognized as a substance that has serious health consequences if consumed, especially for children. Clean and safe water is essential for Tribal existence and is paramount to building a successful economy, educational and public health systems, and most importantly, a future for children who could potentially be exposed to lead. With funding appropriated from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USET OERM is introducing our Lead Testing program. Our goal is to reduce lead in the drinking water of our Member Tribal Nations’ schools and childcare facilities by sampling water and implementing EPA’s 3Ts model. This webinar will provide all the information needed about lead, its physical and health properties, and guidance to tackle this silent epidemic.

When: May 31, 2023, at 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Central/1200 pm – 1:00 pm Eastern

Who should attend: Tribal Leaders, Health Directors, Education Directors, Tribal Administrators, Clinic Staff

What: This webinar will cover the following:

Intro To Lead Program, Purpose, and Personnel
What is Lead? – Chemical, Physical, and Historical Lead Use/Regulation Timeline
Adverse Heath Effects of Lead
Remediation Efforts
EPA’s 3Ts Standards and Guidance

Join via Zoom: Join link
Meeting ID: 861 2657 0105 Passcode: [REDACTED]

For questions, please contact Jakira Saunders, USET OERM Program Manager, at jsaunders@usetinc.org, or Ben Peyton, USET OERM Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, at bpeyton@usetinc.org.

ONTL Tribal Listening Session on the Spotted Lanternfly - Strategic Plan
2023-05-31 12:00 | Virtual Event
Office of National Tribal Liaison (ONTL) strives to develop and strengthen partnerships with Tribal Nations; by keeping Tribal Nations, updated on information that would impact Tribal citizens and natural resources. Animal Plant Health Services (APHIS) is developing a Spotted Lanternfly strategic plan and would like your input.
ONTL and Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) Strategic Planning Working Group (SPWG) would like to invite you and members of your staff to attend a very important “Tribal Listening Session” on the “Spotted Lanternfly – Strategic Plan” on May 31, 2023, at 1:00 pm ET.
During this listening session, we would like to take the time to update Tribal Nations on the current SLF situation, provide details of the strategic plan, and encourage feedback on the plan and plan implementation. Below you will find the registration link and the listening session web link. The registration will also provide an opportunity to ask questions unanimously.
Registration Link
Web Join URL

Listening Session: How CMS Can Contribute to Reducing the Burden of Illness of Diabetes
2023-05-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Register for the All Tribes Webinar

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the CMS Office of Medicare and the CMS Office of Minority Health, is holding an All Tribes Listening Session on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 2:00-3:00 pm Eastern Time.
During this session, CMS will briefly present an overview of the Medicare diabetes prevention and treatment services strategy, their conditions of coverage demonstrating low rates of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) beneficiary CMMI-Diabetes Prevention Program supplier use. The purpose of the Listening Session will be to obtain advice and input on ways in which accessibility and use of effective Medicare diabetes prevention programs and services can be improved among AI/ANs at risk for and with type 2 diabetes. Our initial focus will be Medicare enrollees.
We invite participants to attend our session to understand how CMS can contribute to improving accessibility and use of effective diabetes prevention and control programs and services among AI/ANs who are enrolled in Medicare.
All materials for this All Tribes Engagement Webinar can be found our Spotlight page at https://go.cms.gov/AIAN.

2023 Annual Regional Tribal Consultations - Region 2
2023-06-06 | United States
Save the Date: June 6
In-Person
Location TBD
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
