United South & Eastern Tribes

2023 National Week of Action for MMIW
2023-05-01 - 2023-05-07 | DC
The National Partners Work Group on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and the MMIW Family Advisors are organizing a National Week of Action (May 1 – May 7, 2023) to call the nation and the world to action in honor of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Take action by participating in virtual events, exploring the list of resources, and organizing additional actions in your communities on and around May 5th.
Join us in saying enough is enough. No more stolen sisters.
Learn More

USDA 2023 Tribal Equity and Barriers Consultations
2023-05-01 13:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader,
Please find below the invitation, draft agenda, and proxy letter template for the upcoming Tribal Leader consultations on Equity and Barriers. USDA will report out on progress previously identified barriers as well as talk about ones not previously discussed. It will be divided into five different topics on different days, each day is 2:00-5:30pmET.
These documents can also be found at OTR Tribal Consultation website. Please let OTR know if you have any questions, tribal.relations@usda.gov.
Thank you,
USDA Office of Tribal Relations

Dates:

Monday, April 24: Economic Development
Tuesday, April 25: Food, Safety, and Trade
Thursday, April 27: Farming, Ranching, and Conservation
Friday, April 28: Forests and Public Lands Management
Monday, May 1: Education and Research

Time: Tribal Caucus – 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET / Tribal Consultation – 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm ET
Details: Building off of the consultations USDA held in 2021 and 2022, these upcoming consultations will report out on previously identified barriers as well as talk about ones not previously discussed. Like last year’s consultations, it will be divided into five different topics on different days. There will be Framing Papers for each of these areas. These are not meant to limit conversation, but rather provide issues that have been previously identified that can help guide the conversation.
Documents:

Tribal Invitation (PDF, 316 KB)
Proxy Letter Template (DOCX, 20.3 KB)
Agenda (PDF, 302 KB)

Economic Development Consultation

Time: 2PM
Registration Link
Framing Paper (PDF, 214 KB)

Farming, Ranching and Conservation Consultation

Time: 2PM
Registration Link
Framing Paper (PDF, 292 KB)

Food, Safety and Trade Consultation

Time: 2PM
Registration Link
Framing Paper (PDF, 249 KB)

Forests & Public Lands Management Consultation

Time: 2PM
Registration Link
Framing Paper (PDF, 234 KB)

Education & Research Consultation

Time: 2PM
Registration Link
Framing Paper (PDF, 190 KB)

Tribal Transportation Program Coordinating Committee (TTPCC) Meeting
2023-05-02 - 2023-05-04 | Inn of the Mountain Gods, 287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero, NM, 88340, United States
Tribal Transportation Program Coordinating Committee (TTPCC) Meeting
Date: May 2 – 4, 2023
Location: Inn of the Mountain Gods I 287 Carrizo Canyon Rd. I Mescalero, NM 88340
Hotel Reservations: For 24/7 assistance, call 800-545-9011 and reference “Tribal Transportation Program” group name/room block, or call the main line to the hotel 575-464-7059 (this number is not covered 24/7). The room rate is $96.00/night. Attendees must call to make a reservation for the government rate.
Draft Agenda

HUD Listening Session on Proposed Rule to amend their existing floodplain regulations
2023-05-02 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
May 2, 2023 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Federal Register
Register for Listening Session
On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is hosting a virtual listening session for Tribal Nations on HUD’s Proposed Rule to amend their existing floodplain regulations. The proposed rule would require a greater level of flood protection for new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects. Comments on the Proposed Rule are open until May 23, 2023, and must be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see the Federal Register announcement for more information).

Native Learning Center Webinar - Business Idea Generation Workshop
2023-05-02 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
May 2, 2023 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Register
Have you wanted to start a business but don’t know where to start? You see others starting your business and said I wish I would have thought of that? Let’s help you get some of your own business ideas.
In this webinar, we will help you develop an entrepreneur mindset and generate business ideas based on your hobbies, skills, culture & natural resources. This class is perfect for those who want to start a small business but aren’t sure what kind of business to start. It’s also great for existing business owners who need ideas for expanding their current offerings.
Training Objectives:

Learn things about yourself that you will help you generate business ideas
Learn different frameworks to generate business ideas
Develop a process to narrow those ideas down to a small handful
Determine what to do after you have your business idea

Instructor: Mark Thompson, Executive Director
Indian Dispute Resolutions Services Inc. (IDRS)

Native American Employment and Training Council Meeting
2023-05-03 - 2023-05-04 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, CT, 06338, United States
Federal Register :: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; Native American Employment and Training Council
When: May 3 at 10:00 am – 4:30 pm Eastern – May 4 at 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
The period from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm on May 4 is reserved for participation and comment by members of the public.
Members of the public not present may submit a written statement by Friday, April 28, 2023, to be included in the record of the meeting. Statements are to be submitted to Nathaniel Coley, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), U.S. Department of Labor at coley.nathaniel.d@dol.gov.
Where: Foxwoods Hotel, 240 Fox Tower Drive, Mashantucket, CT 06339, located in the Fox Tower, Celebrity Ballrooms A, B and C. The meeting will also be accessible virtually on the Zoom.gov platform. To join the meeting use the following URL: https://www.zoomgov.com/​j/​1603344439?​pwd=​M1liREg0Z1kxdmdWWlA2TXB4LytIUT09, Meeting ID: 1603344439, Passcode: [REDACTED]
For more information contact Nathaniel Coley, DFO, Division of Indian and Native American Programs, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room C–4311, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone number (202) 693–4287 (VOICE) (this is not a toll-free number) or coley.nathaniel.d@dol.gov.

WHI TCU Virtual Dialogue: Advancing Financial Mobility Within Native Communities
2023-05-03 11:00 | Virtual Event
Wednesday, May 3 at 12:00 pm Eastern
Register
The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities (WHI TCU), along with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor, have been hosting a virtual four-part dialogue series that addresses multiple topics that impact employment for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
This virtual dialogue, the third in the series, will review economic disparities and access to financial resources within Native communities. The American Indian and Alaska Native communities in the United States continue to face pervasive structural barriers to economic advancement. Speakers will share strategies for supporting Native individuals, including those with disabilities, with resources for economic self-sufficiency, the importance of banking, and financial education. You will also hear personal stories from Native speakers with disabilities on their financial journey to economic advancement and self-sufficiency.

White House Climate and Environmental Justice Briefing
2023-05-03 13:00 | Virtual Event
You are invited to a White House Climate and Environmental Justice Briefing on Wednesday, May 3rd at 2:00 PM ET to hear from senior Biden-Harris Administration officials about recent announcements that will strengthen environmental justice, expand the clean energy economy, and foster conservation and forest resilience to climate change.
Speakers include:

Ali Zaidi, White House National Climate Advisor
Stephenne Harding, Senior Director of Lands, White House Council on Environmental Quality
Jalonne White-Newsome, Senior Director for Environmental Justice, White House Council on Environmental Quality

Register and submit questions or comments here:
https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_HLJVF1gzSjqbC9RrkFqseg (-> r20.rs6.net)

Community Talk Series: Our Languages
2023-05-03 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-05-17 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.

USET Virtual Sessions | The Power of CEDS
2023-05-04 14:00 - 15:30, 2023-05-11 14:00 - 15:30, 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!

FEMA Tribal Consultation on 2017 Tribal Declarations Guidance
2023-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
May 4, 2023 at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Tribal Declarations Guidance
Register
FEMA will host a virtual tribal consultation with Tribal Nations to discuss the 2017 Tribal Declarations Guidance. The purpose of this consultation is to gather Tribal Nations’ feedback on how to best improve the Presidential disaster declaration process to ensure that Tribal Nations can access FEMA resources during and after disasters in Indian Country. Senior leadership from FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery and the Office of Tribal Affairs will help facilitate the consultation. Written Comments will also be accepted on or before September 17, 2023.

Waterpower Week in Washington Conference
2023-05-08 - 2023-05-10 | Capitol Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC, United States
The National Hydropower Association’s annual Waterpower Week in Washington conference is taking place May 8-10 at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Registration is open and they are offering complimentary registration to Tribal and First Nations by using code “2COMP3” when you register here.
By attending Waterpower Week, you will learn and hear about issues and topics important to you and your work. A detailed program can be found HERE.
A few specific sessions they want to bring to your attention that likely will be of particular interest to you are:

FERC Relicensing and Compliance: What’s New?
Complying with Emerging Environmental Justice (EJ) Requirements
Hot Regulatory and Legal Topics
A Collaborative Approach to Successful Project Permitting: Balancing the Real and Present Need for Marine Energy with Protecting the Environment
Considerations for Voluntary Dam Removal
Celebrating Diversity Breakfast (Ticket Required)
Tools of the Trade: Skill-Building and Applications for Negotiations Techniques

Waterpower Week enables you to connect both formally and informally with attendees who work in the waterpower community. It’s an important venue for opening lines of communication on important subjects such as dam removal, licensing reform, and environmental protection.
For those new to the waterpower community, Waterpower Week provides a unique opportunity to meet waterpower professionals and become familiar with the waterpower community and how it works.

USDA APHIS Tribal Webinar: Tribal Training for FY23 CWD Funding Opportunity
2023-05-08 12:00 - 13:30, 2023-05-17 13:00 - 14:30 | 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.

IHS Tribal Consultation on Health IT Modernization
2023-05-10 12:30 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
As part of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Health Information Technology (IT) Modernization Program, you are invited to join a series of four Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer(TC/UC) sessions in calendar year 2023 on Health IT Modernization.
These are important and timely meetings for IHS to ask questions and get your feedback. During the first event, Preparing for Change, scheduled for March 8, the IHS will provide an overview of milestones and accomplishments of the Health IT Modernization Program and seek your feedback on change readiness, what the IHS could be doing to support organizations and individuals, and what facilities can be doing to prepare for an electronic health record modernization.
Attendees can register for the sessions in advance through the links below. After registering, attendees will receive an e-mail with a link to the web conference and audio call-in numbers. Please register and join these sessions.
For added convenience, the registration links below will be posted on the IHS Event Calendar. In addition, timely reminders for upcoming TC/UC events will be sent out by e-mail from IHS Area Offices and posted on the new IHS Updates web page.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Registration link
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Registration link
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Registration link
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Registration link

WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Please send your comments and
recommendations on Health IT Modernization within 30 days following each session.
By E-MAIL to consultation@ihs.gov or urbanconfer@ihs.gov — SUBJECT LINE: Health IT
Modernization.
If you have questions, please contact Mr. Mitchell Thornbrugh, Chief Information Officer, IHS,
by telephone at (240) 620-3117, or by e-mail at mitchell.thornbrugh@ihs.gov.

Webcast | The Inflation Reduction Act: Benefits for Tribes
2023-05-11 12:00 | Virtual Event
Thursday, May 11 at 12:00 pm Central
Register
Has your Tribal Nation considered the opportunities created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)? The direct pay provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act can not only help you make your communities more energy resilient by investments in electric vehicles, solar, wind, geothermal, and battery storage—but also represent a historic opportunity to diversify your economy and create quality jobs through investments in manufacturing and other clean energy technologies.
Join Moss Adams and Native American Bank for the webcast, The Inflation Reduction Act: Benefits for Tribes. We’ll discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act breaks the cycle of competitive grant funding, financing opportunities, and how the direct pay provisions put cash directly into Indian Country through investments in:

Clean fuels
Carbon reduction technologies
Clean electricity
Green manufacturing
Clean vehicles
Green building and construction

Contact Laura Krauss, Moss Adams, (972) 458-3748 with any questions.

USDOT Tribal Consultation: NOFO on Rural Tribal Assistance Pilot Program
2023-05-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Thursday, May 11 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Join the virtual meeting
If prompted, the meeting ID is 161 989 5760. There is no passcode for the meeting.
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
The U.S. Department of Transportation is preparing to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) regarding the Build America Bureau Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program established by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The $10 million pilot program will provide state, local, and Tribal governments with technical, legal, and financial advisory assistance for project development for transportation needs.

To carry out the principles in E.O. 13175, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,” to afford their Tribal partners an opportunity to provide meaningful input regarding the development and implementation of the program as allowed by the authorizing statute, and to inform how Tribal Nation may apply for funds, the Bureau will host a Tribal Consultation on Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST.

USET Infectious Disease ECHO
2023-05-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
We invite you and your staff to participate in the new Infectious Disease ECHO. This ECHO is merging the COVID-19 and Hepatitis C ECHOs and will focus on a different topic every month. This ECHO will also include COVID-19 and influenza updates for the USET Region. Additionally, clinical cases are encouraged to be submitted to gain insight into healthcare recommendations from other medical providers working in the field. This no-cost telehealth series will be held throughout 2023 on the second Friday of every month at 11:00 am Central/12:00 pm Eastern.
Each session will be one hour in length that will provide an opportunity for participants to:

Learn about emerging infectious diseases
Gain skills on treating different infectious diseases
Continue to stay up to date on COVID-19

Who should attend? Tribal Nation health directors, clinic staff, physicians, nurses, Tribal Epidemiology Center staff, and anyone supporting Tribal Nation citizens through the health sector are welcome to join.
Registration: Register in advance for the session. You ONLY need to register ONCE for the series. Once you register, you can download the reminder to your calendar with the Zoom information.
2023 Second Quarter Topics:

April 7: HIV Part 2
May 12: Hepatitis C
June 9: Lyme Disease

Continuing Education: This activity will offer CE credits for a variety of professionals. More information will be provided at a later date.

For questions, please contact Gabbie Niski, USET THPS Infectious Disease Program Manager at gniski@usetinc.org or Bryan Hendrix, USET THPS Quality Improvement Data Analyst, at bhendrix@usetinc.org.

USDA APHIS Webinar: African Swine Fever 101
2023-05-15 12:00 | Virtual Event
May 15, 2023 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Register
Web Join URL: https://coreshield.zoomgov.com/wc/join/1606171178?pwd=[REDACTED]
The Office of National Tribal Liaison (ONTL) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) greatly values its partnerships with Tribal Nations and communities. ONTL has been hosting many tribal webinars on APHIS programs to keep you abreast of some major APHIS activities. These webinars are designed to give you a better insight into how APHIS is helping to protect U.S. and Tribal agricultural and natural resources—and citizens—from animal and plant disease and pest threats.

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 | DC
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 | DC
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 | 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

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.

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.
