United South & Eastern Tribes

DOI Tribal Consultation: CSC calculation and distribution process
2023-10-05 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
October 1 at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Mountain: Listening Session
2023 NAFOA Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass
5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85226
October 5 at 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern: Virtual Consultation with Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland
Register
November 1 at 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern: Tribal Consultation
US Department of Labor, Indian and Native American Programs
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 166/477
Western Regional Training
Pechanga Resort Casino
45000 Pechanga Pkwy.
Temecula, CA 92592
November 29 at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Alaska: Tribal Consultation
BIA Providers Conference Dena’ina Center
600 W 7th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
The Policy is available at this link.
Indian Affairs would like to determine how to compensate Self Governance Tribes for CSC, when they
are NOT required to submit budgets, yet certain data is necessary to calculate the amount of CSC due
to the Tribe annually.

Is the Federal proposal of two data calls, one on recurring base funding and a second at the end
of the year a viable proposal?
The Workgroup Federal representatives recommend that two data calls be released at least 30
days prior to due dates. The recommended due dates for base funding CSC data are September
1 for fiscal year funding agreements and November 1 for calendar year funding agreements.
The recommended due date for full-year data is July 1 for fiscal year funding agreements and
October 1 for calendar year funding agreements. Should this or another calculation and
payment schedule be considered?
There are a small number of Self Governance Tribes that have not submitted year-end CSC
data, therefore the annual 100 percent requirement is unknown. What is the Tribal
recommendation regarding this matter?
In lieu of negotiating Direct CSC line by line, the CSC Policy formula for ALL tribes is below.
DCSC = (current Tribal budgeted salary cost {not including fringe} of section 106(a)(1)
programs) x 18%.
The DCSC need cannot be calculated in accordance with the CSC Policy, and in the same
equitable manner as Tribes entering into contracts under Title I, without receipt of a Tribe’s
“budgeted salary cost.” The CSC Policy would need to be changed to allow the use of “best
available” data or data that is 4 years old.
a) Is there support for changing the CSC Policy to utilize “best available” data or salaries up to
four years old for DCSC?
How would the Department reconcile ensuring equitable treatment with Title I contracts
submitting current budgets (with salary and fringe) that equal the current year contract
amounts?
Section 1.10 of the CSC Policy outlines the formula for calculating Indirect CSC:
Indirect CSC = Current approved IDC rate(s) x (the Secretarial Amount awarded to the
Tribe, minus exclusions and pass-through).
The CSC Policy explicitly clarifies that a “current” IDC rate can be up to four years old. If a
Tribe has no approved IDC rate or has an approved IDC rate that is over four years old, the
Tribe may negotiate a lump sum amount for indirect-type costs or may utilize the Simplified
Method, if applicable. Furthermore, Section 1.10 of the Policy states, “[i]f a Tribe does not
initiate any of these options, IA will not pay the Tribe any indirect CSC.”
While the CSC Policy allows for an IDC rate that is up to four years old, it does not allow for
use of previous years’ salary, fringe, exclusion or passthrough data to calculate the current year
100 percent CSC need. The CSC Policy would need to be changed to allow the use of “best
available” data.
a) Does the Tribe support changing the CSC Policy to utilize “best available” data?
b) If so, what sources should be considered “best available” data for calculations of CSC for
the data elements of 1) Tribal Budgeted Salary 2) Tribal Budgeted Fringe (if necessary);
and 3) Exclusions and pass-throughs?
c) If a Tribe does not submit current year data, at what point would IA utilize “best available”
data for calculation and payment?
Section 1.12 of the CSC Policy outlines cutoff timeframes for IDC rates as below.
In order to facilitate equitable treatment and establish standard cutoff timeframes:
• The IDC rate that will be applied is the applicable rate at the end of the Tribe’s fiscal
year. No adjustments to that IDC rate will be made after the end of the Tribe’s fiscal
year, without regard to the later issuance of a different DC rate for that period.

They welcome your written comments, which should be submitted by email to consultations@bia.gov by
11:59 pm ET on December 29, 2023.
If you have any questions regarding this effort, please contact Jacob Aguilar, Financial Specialist,
OSG, at (360) 699-1015 or via email: jacob.aguilar@bia.gov.

FEMA Tribal Consultation on Tribal Mitigation Planning Policy
2023-10-05 14:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
October 5 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
The purpose of government-to-government tribal consultations is to gather Tribal Nations’ feedback
on how to improve the tribal mitigation planning process across Indian Country. More details and
updates will be posted on the FEMA Tribal Consultation web page. Tribal Nations can send their
comments and any questions to fema-tribal@fema.dhs.gov. Please include the subject line “Tribal
Mitigation Planning Guidance – Written Comments.” Feedback and comments are due by November
30, 2023.

IHS Monthly All Tribal and Urban Leader Call
2023-10-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
The IHS holds monthly update calls for all Tribal and Urban Indian Organization (UIO) leaders. This month’s call will be held on October 5, 2023 at 3:00 pm Eastern. Interested participants can find more information on the IHS event page.

Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Tribal Consultation on Section 504 Proposed Rulemaking
2023-10-06 12:00 | Virtual Event
HHS OCR is consulting with Tribes on a proposed rulemaking revising the regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs and activities that are Federally funded or Federally operated. The attached Dear Tribal Leader Letter highlights key aims of the proposed rulemaking in clarifying requirements, ensuring civil rights protections, and establishing enforceable standards. The proposed rule also better aligns the Rehabilitation Act with the Americans with Disabilities Act and case law developments. OCR will hold the consultation on October 6 at 2:00pm ET (register HERE), and will accept written comments until November 13 at www.regulations.gov (RIN 0945-AA15).

Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Native American Day
2023-10-09 | United States
Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Native American Day! Learn more about this special day and see the multiple events honoring this day. USET/USET SPF offices are closed today.

Department of Energy Webinar on the Investment Tax Credit and Elective Pay for Tribal Nations
2023-10-11 12:30 | Virtual Event
October 11 at 1:30 pm Eastern
Register
On October 11, the Department of Energy (DOE) will host a webinar to help Tribal Nations understand the Investment Tax Credit (§48E)—which can assist with the costs of solar and wind projects. The webinar will include panelists from the U.S. Treasury Office of Tribal and Native Affairs and the Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity.

HUD Webinar on Tribal Directory Assessment Tool
2023-10-11 14:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
The Department of Housing and Urban Development will be hosting a series of webinars to provide information on how the Tribal Directory Assessment Tool (TDAT) has been updated, including how comments were addressed, and how many Tribes may provide information.
August 16 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
September 13 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
October 11 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Register

Administration for Community Living | Listening Brief and Tribal Consultation on Older Americans Act
2023-10-12 13:30 | Virtual Event
ACL Listening Brief: September 28, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84649807692 (-> urldefense.proofpoint.com)
Meeting ID: 846 4980 7692
One tap mobile:
+13017158592,,84649807692# US (Washington DC)
+16465588656,,84649807692# US (New York)
ACL Tribal Consultation: October 12, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. ET
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86316781916 (-> urldefense.proofpoint.com)
Meeting ID: 863 1678 1916
Or One tap mobile:
+13017158592,,86316781916# US (Washington DC)
+16469313860,,86316781916# US
There is a tight turnaround for notice of consultation on the OAA that resulted in large part due to ACL/AoA’s surprise around the Tribal response digging into Title VII (Adult Protection Services) as well as other aspects of the OAA.
The main targets remain the same:

The funding formula does not promote equity for Tribal programs (built on state population counts). Tribes will never meet meaningful funding levels.
Because of the funding formula, Tribes are not able to count Elders under age 60, even though they can serve them under Title VI, so unfunded moving mandate and again, lack of equity and access.
Title VII gives funding and primary authority for Elder adult protection services (APS) to states. Even Guam and Puerto Rico get funding for APS, but nothing to Tribes.
Title III – state allocation that counts Tribes. States are supposed to either provide the services to Tribal Elders ages 60 + and/or *contract/pay the Tribe when it provides the service*. The two programs are supposed to coordinate. There is no best practices guidance and no consequences to states who do not comply. Tribes are asking for a direct-to-them share of Title III rather than the trickle down through the states. This *can* be done and a few states do this: Wisconsin is a good example – the state carves out a share to each of the 11 Tribal aging programs.

Tribal Leaders are encouraged to provide oral testimony during the Consultation, or to provide written authorization for another person speaking on behalf of leadership. Others will be heard as time allows. Everyone is encouraged to provide written comment. Written testimony can be submitted to: olderindians@acl.hhs.gov until November 13, 2023 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.

OFFICE OF RECOVERY PROGRAMS: GRANTS MANAGEMENT WEBINAR SERIES
2023-10-12 14:00 | Virtual Event
Build a solid foundation in grants management best practices by attending Treasury’s three-part webinar series. The sessions are intended to assist Tribal governments in understanding the OMB Uniform Guidance, federal procurement standards, and subrecipient monitoring. Register for the sessions below.

October 12, 2023, 3:00 pm ET: Introduction to Tribal Grants Management Registration
October 26, 2023, 3:00 pm ET: Overview of Federal Procurement Registration
November 16, 2023, 3:00 pm ET: Subrecipient Monitoring Registration

BIE Tribal Consultation on IDEA Policy and Procedures
2023-10-13 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-10-18 18:00 - 20:00
October 13 at 9:00 am – 11:00 pm Mountain
Zoom Registration link
October 18 at 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Mountain
National Indian Education Association Convention
401 2nd Street, NW
Room Ruidoso – Convention Center
Albuquerque, NM 87102
October 25 at 9:00 am – 11:00 am Central
Courtyard by Marriott Bloomington Mall of America
7800 Bloomington Avenue
Bloomington, MN 55425

The Bureau of Indian Education (“BIE”) is responsible for ensuring that its implementation of
Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”)1 is consistent with federal law
including requirements at 20 U.S.C. §§ 1411(h)(2)(A) and 1412(a) and 34 C.F.R. § 300.708(a).
Accordingly, BIE is proposing to update its IDEA policies and procedures that apply to BIEfunded
schools.
The proposed policies cover ten topic areas as summarized below:
1. Parental Consent, Involvement and Procedural Safeguards
2. Referral and Determination of Eligibility
3. Individual Education Program, IEP Development and Least Restrictive Environment
4. Dispute Resolution
5. Child Find
6. Early Intervening Services
7. Discipline
8. Transition Services
9. Exiting Special Education
In addition to joining one of the consultation sessions listed above, please submit any written comments to consultation@bia.gov or mail to Juanita Mendoza, 1849 C Street, NW, MS 3609, Washington, D.C. 20240 by November 13, 2023.
If you have any questions regarding the Tribal consultations, please contact Juanita Mendoza at 202-208-3559 or Juanita.mendoza@bie.edu.

USET Infectious Disease ECHO
2023-10-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
We invite you and your staff to participate in the new Infectious Disease ECHO. This ECHO is merged the previous COVID-19 and Hepatitis C ECHOs and will focus on a different topic every month. 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.
October’s Topic is Influenza.
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.
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 Forest Service Virtual Office Hours for Prospective Applicants
2023-10-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
September 29 and October 13 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern
Join the USDA Forest Service for two virtual office hours opportunities on September 29 and October 13, 2023 for prospective applicants to ask questions about the Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support Funding Opportunity.
JOIN OFFICE HOURS: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Forest Service staff will be available to answer questions regarding allowable costs, eligibility criteria, and other information from the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
No RSVP is required for participation.
Emerging climate markets are creating economic incentives to keep forests healthy and productive through reforestation, thinning overgrown forests, and more. However, high acreage requirements and prohibitive start-up costs have caused many small-acreage and underserved private forest owners to be left behind. These investments will expand access to markets that were previously out-of-reach, allowing underserved and small-acreage forest landowners to be a larger part of the climate solution while also supporting rural economies and healthy forests.
See the Forest Service news releases and the Forest Landowner Assistance webpage for details.

NOAA Consultation on Tribal Co-Stewardship
2023-10-13 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is hosting three virtual consultation and engagement sessions on advancing co-stewardship as outlined in Joint Secretarial Order 3403. The purpose of JSO 3403 is to ensure federal lands and waters are managed in a manner that protects the treaty, religious, subsistence, and cultural interests of federally recognized Indian tribes with an emphasis on co-stewardship. The first session will be held on October 3, 2023 at 1:00 pm ET (register here) and the second will be held on October 13 at 3:00 pm ET (register) and the third will be held on October 17, 2023 at 32:00 pm ET (register here).
In addition, you may provide comments in writing through Thursday, November 9th, 2023. Please send your written submissions to Becky Cruz Lizama, NOAA Senior Tribal NOAA Senior Tribal Liaison, at OLIA.Tribal@noaa.gov, and identify your submission as “Advancing Co stewardship Consultation.”

2023 Unity Summit
2023-10-16 - 2023-10-19
October 16-19, 2023, in Los Angeles, CA with hybrid elements.
Summit website

DOE National Stakeholder Briefings - Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs | General Briefing
2023-10-16 13:00 - 13:45 | Virtual Event
OCED announced the selection of seven H2Hubs across the country for award negotiations. The goal of the H2Hubs program is to help accelerate the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen – critical to DOE’s strategy for achieving President Biden’s goal of a 100 percent clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. These H2Hubs represent a federal investment of $7 billion in hydrogen infrastructure and emphasize community and labor engagement; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; investing in the America Workforce; and the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. Click here to learn more about OCED’s H2Hubs program, and click here to read the White House’s H2Hubs press release.
OCED is planning to hold three virtual briefings to provide more information on these selections and the path forward. We hope you can join us on Monday, October 16th, to learn more about the H2Hubs and how to engage with us and our private sector partners going forward. Topics and registration information are provided below.
General Briefing:

When: October 16th, from 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM ET.
What: Detail on program, selected projects, and next steps.
How: To register and view the agenda for the general national briefing, click here.

Also, OCED will also host seven virtual community H2Hub briefings – one for each selected Hub – later this month. These briefings will offer greater detail on the projects and another opportunity to engage with OCED and the selected projects. For more information and to register for these briefings here. Please email Engage_H2Hubs@hq.doe.gov if you have any questions regarding the H2Hubs program.

DOE National Stakeholder Briefings - Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs | Environmental Justice Briefing
2023-10-16 14:00 - 14:45 | Virtual Event
OCED announced the selection of seven H2Hubs across the country for award negotiations. The goal of the H2Hubs program is to help accelerate the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen – critical to DOE’s strategy for achieving President Biden’s goal of a 100 percent clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. These H2Hubs represent a federal investment of $7 billion in hydrogen infrastructure and emphasize community and labor engagement; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; investing in the America Workforce; and the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. Click here to learn more about OCED’s H2Hubs program, and click here to read the White House’s H2Hubs press release.
OCED is planning to hold three virtual briefings to provide more information on these selections and the path forward. We hope you can join us on Monday, October 16th, to learn more about the H2Hubs and how to engage with us and our private sector partners going forward. Topics and registration information are provided below.
Environmental Justice Briefing:

When: October 16th, from 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM ET.
What: Detail on the program and selected projects, information on how OCED integrates community benefits and engagement in its programs, and how to engage.
How: To register and view the agenda for the national environmental justice briefing, click here.

Also, OCED will also host seven virtual community H2Hub briefings – one for each selected Hub – later this month. These briefings will offer greater detail on the projects and another opportunity to engage with OCED and the selected projects. For more information and to register for these briefings here. Please email Engage_H2Hubs@hq.doe.gov if you have any questions regarding the H2Hubs program.

Nuts, Bolts, and Cables: Opportunities in Tribal Broadband Webinar
2023-10-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
October 16, 2023 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Central
Virtual video event
Register
Internet access connects communities to economic opportunity and vital services. Research from the Center for Indian Country Development (CICD) has found that tribal areas have inadequate access to high-speed Internet, known as broadband. Today, new funding and partnership possibilities are opening opportunities for tribes to improve their communities’ digital infrastructure. Seizing these opportunities requires accurate, comprehensive data on the state of broadband across Indian Country.
We invite you to join us October 16 for a conversation about the research on tribal broadband and opportunities for tribes to improve their communities’ Internet access. This is the third event in CICD’s 2023 webinar series: Cultivating Native Economies in the 21st Century. The series provides tribal leaders, policymakers, and practitioners with information they can use to strengthen and expand Indian Country economic prosperity.
Our October 16 webinar will feature research on the tribal digital divide and information on modern broadband policies and programs. Tribal broadband practitioners and federal policymakers will discuss data challenges as well as opportunities for tribal governments to advance their service networks. Presenters and panelists will also explore the connection between tribes’ ability to make decisions about their digital infrastructure and tribal sovereignty. Participants will have the opportunity to share questions as part of a live question-and-answer session.
The event is held in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the American Indian Policy Institute at Arizona State University.

DOE National Stakeholder Briefings - Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs | Labor and Workforce Briefing
2023-10-16 15:00 - 15:45 | Virtual Event
OCED announced the selection of seven H2Hubs across the country for award negotiations. The goal of the H2Hubs program is to help accelerate the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen – critical to DOE’s strategy for achieving President Biden’s goal of a 100 percent clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. These H2Hubs represent a federal investment of $7 billion in hydrogen infrastructure and emphasize community and labor engagement; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; investing in the America Workforce; and the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. Click here to learn more about OCED’s H2Hubs program, and click here to read the White House’s H2Hubs press release.
OCED is planning to hold three virtual briefings to provide more information on these selections and the path forward. We hope you can join us on Monday, October 16th, to learn more about the H2Hubs and how to engage with us and our private sector partners going forward. Topics and registration information are provided below.
Labor and Workforce Briefing:

When: October 16th, from 4:00 – 4:45 PM ET.
What: Detail on the program and selected projects, requirements for labor engagement, and opportunities for delivering benefits to the American workforce.
How: To register and view the agenda for the national workforce briefing, click here.

Also, OCED will also host seven virtual community H2Hub briefings – one for each selected Hub – later this month. These briefings will offer greater detail on the projects and another opportunity to engage with OCED and the selected projects. For more information and to register for these briefings here. Please email Engage_H2Hubs@hq.doe.gov if you have any questions regarding the H2Hubs program.

Preventing Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying Virtual Symposium
2023-10-17 - 2023-10-18 | Virtual Event
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will host its second Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying Prevention Virtual Symposium on October 17-18, 2023. The symposium coincides with Bullying Prevention Month and will focus on how to prevent extremist hate groups from radicalizing youth and provide bullying prevention strategies for youth. It will address various topics surrounding this initiative, including current research and trends, how best to support vulnerable youth, and how to mitigate the influence of media and technology to recruit and radicalize youth. The symposium will also provide information on best practices and how communities can protect youth while helping them disengage from hate groups.
Day 1 Sessions:

Research and Trends: Identity-Based Bullying, Youth Hate Crimes, and Hate Groups Two Years Later
Understanding the Nexus of Hate and Targeted Violence
It Ends With Me: Identifying and Confronting Religious-Based Hate and Identity-Based Bullying: Antisemitism and Islamophobia

Day 2 Sessions:

Equipping Communities to Support Vulnerable Populations: Strategies and Tools
What is Happening to Our Kids Online? Preventing Cyberbullying, Extremism, Radicalization, and Cyberhate
Raising Your Voice for Good: Youth Against Bullying and Hate

Tribal Women Veterans Summit
2023-10-17 08:00 - 17:00 | 123 Easy Street, Nashville, TN, 37211, United States
Tuesday, October 17 at 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
River Spirit Conference Center
8330 Riverside Parkway
Tulsa, OK
Register
For more information contact Rachel Riddle at (918) 732-7739 or rriddle@muscogeenation.com.

Department of Homeland Security External Tribal Quarterly Meeting
2023-10-17 13:00 | Virtual Event
Participate in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs upcoming 2023 quarterly DHS Tribal meetings.
Meeting participants will include DHS personnel and Tribal partners (including leaders, program personnel and advocates).
Please register for the meetings using the following registration links:

January 17 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register in advance for this meeitng.
April 18 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register in advance for this meeting
July 18 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register in advance for this meeting
October 17 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register in advance for this meeting

HUD Webinar on Documenting Compliance with its Noise Abatement and Control Standard
2023-10-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Native American Programs issued a Dear Tribal Leader Letter announcing a webinar on, “Documenting Compliance with HUD’s Nose Abatement and Control Standard.” HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR 51B require projects involving noise-sensitive land uses to consider how nearby noise generators can impact a project. This webinar will present HUD’s noise standard in the context of environmental reviews for Tribal projects, outline the steps for conducting a noise assessment, and demonstrate the use of existing HUD online tools on noise abatement and control.
Details regarding this upcoming webinar are as follows—

Date/Time: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm ET
Click Here to Register

NTIA DEA Tribal Consultations
2023-10-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
October 17 at 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Register
October 19 at 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Register
The Digital Equity Act (DEA), which was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, appropriated $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to promote digital equity and inclusion. These three programs are: (1) the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program (SDEPG); (2) the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program; and (3) the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. On behalf of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce, which administers these programs, we are initiating additional Tribal Consultations for the DEA Programs. These consultations will provide NTIA with valuable feedback to inform future Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for Tribal participation in the DEA Programs.
The SDEPG is a $60 million formula grant program for States, Territories, and Eligible Tribal Entities to develop digital equity plans. The State Digital Equity Capacity Program is a $1.44 billion grant program for States, Territories and Eligible Tribal Entities to fund implementation of their digital equity plans. The Digital Equity Competitive Program is a $1.25 billion competitive grant program for eligible entities to implement digital equity projects. The DEA requires that NTIA set aside 5% (five percent) of these grant funds for Eligible Tribal Entities.
Note: Following the Dear Tribal Leader Letter sent on July 24, 2023, NTIA intends to utilize these consultations to offer additional information around the adjusted timeline and approach for the SDEPG and State Digital Equity Capacity Program, as they pertain to Eligible Tribal Entities.
To seek your input regarding its Digital Equity Act Programs, NTIA invites you and/or a Tribal representative to participate in the virtual National Tribal Consultation to provide your advice and insights as NTIA staff work through the critical issues related to these programs.

NOAA Consultation on Tribal Co-Stewardship
2023-10-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
UPDATE: This Consultation was postponed from October 4th to October 17th.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is hosting three virtual consultation and engagement sessions on advancing co-stewardship as outlined in Joint Secretarial Order 3403. The purpose of JSO 3403 is to ensure federal lands and waters are managed in a manner that protects the treaty, religious, subsistence, and cultural interests of federally recognized Indian tribes with an emphasis on co-stewardship. The first session will be held on October 3, 2023 at 1:00 pm ET (register here) and the second will be held on October 4, 2023 at 2:00 pm ET (register here).
In addition, you may provide comments in writing through Thursday, November 9th, 2023. Please send your written submissions to Becky Cruz Lizama, NOAA Senior Tribal NOAA Senior Tribal Liaison, at OLIA.Tribal@noaa.gov, and identify your submission as “Advancing Co stewardship Consultation.”

NIEA Convention & Trade Show
2023-10-18 - 2023-10-21
54th Annual NIEA Convention & Trade Show
Albuquerque, NM
October 18-21, 2023
Register now to attend the 54th Annual NIEA Convention & Trade Show. Play your role in this ongoing effort to reclaim Education Sovereignty. The NIEA Convention and Trade Show will be held in Albuquerque, NM, October 18-21, 2023. Our theme this year is Education Sovereignty. It Begins with Us. Sign up today to join Tribal leaders, Native advocates, parents, elders, and students working to transform Native learning systems.
Early-Bird Registration is now open for all attendees, trade show vendors, sponsors, and anyone interested in learning and sharing about Native education. Payment is NOT required when you register to be eligible for Early-Bird pricing, but we encourage you to sign up as early as possible to confirm your attendance.

DHS Informational and Listening Session on Draft Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Projects at DHS-owned Facilities
2023-10-18 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-10-18 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Proposed NPA

October 18, 2023 – 11:00am-12:30pm, Eastern Time
Microsoft Teams – Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 299 180 049 697 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Call-in (audio only): +1 202-516-6093; 875755420#
October 18, 2023 – 4:00-5:30pm, Eastern Time
Microsoft Teams – Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 247 061 109 962 Passcode: [REDACTED]
Call-in (audio only): +1 202-516-6093; 202770626#

They have drafted a proposed Nationwide Programmatic Agreement (NPA) in coordination with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. Additionally, we have had discussions over the last year with the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to understand concerns and garner input on our draft NPA.
They request comments and requests for formal consultation by October 30, 2023, via email at sep-ephp@dhs.hq.gov.

AISES National Conference
2023-10-19 - 2023-10-21
The AISES National Conference has been held annually since 1978 and is an unparalleled opportunity to connect companies with over 2,500 Indigenous high school juniors and seniors, college and graduate students, educators, workforce professionals and our corporate, government, private foundation, nonprofit, and tribal partners for professional development, networking opportunities, research presentations, workshops, awards, and traditional Indigenous cultural events. The National Conference hosts the largest college and career fair in Indian Country with many companies also hosting hiring events by conducting onsite interviews. Job seekers are provided interview coaching, and resume development, as well as career planning and other skills necessary to be successful in today’s job market. For students considering college or graduate school, resources are provided to assist in financial planning, applying to college or graduate school, as well as information on the many STEM majors and careers available. AISES members and attendees from the U.S. and Canada, and as far away as Alaska and Hawai’i make connections and they find the resources and services to advise and advance their academic studies and careers.
