2026 NACA Policy Summit
2026-02-10 00:00 - 2026-02-12 23:59 (America/Chicago) | National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20045, United States
The Navigating Tomorrow: 2026 NACA Policy Summit, hosted by the Native American Contractors Association (NACA), is an annual gathering that unites Native American businesses, tribal enterprises, and Alaska Native corporations to advance federal policy discussions that shape the future of Native contracting. This premier advocacy event serves as a vital platform to protect, promote, and expand business opportunities for Native-owned companies within the federal marketplace.

Through strategic dialogue, legislative engagement, and collective action, the summit empowers Native leaders to raise awareness of key issues impacting tribal communities and to advocate directly with policymakers on critical legislation that safeguards their economic sovereignty and strengthens Native participation in federal contracting.

NIEA Hill Week
2026-02-10 00:00 - 2026-02-12 23:59
The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) is dedicated to empowering Native communities by nurturing the strengths, brilliance, and leadership of Native youth. We work alongside Tribal Nations, Native educators, families, and federal, state, and tribal partners to advance self-determination and expand learning opportunities for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students. For more than 50 years, NIEA’s advocacy has contributed to important legislative progress in education policy, improving the schools and systems that serve Native students, their families, and communities.

Hill Week is NIEA’s annual in-person advocacy event focused on Native education. It brings together Tribal Nations, Native educators, families, and allies to hear from federal leaders, share what is happening in their communities, and speak directly with Congress about the needs of Native students. Grounded in the theme Sovereign Education: Forging Our Way Forward, Hill Week lifts up the message that Tribal Nations know what our students need and that educational sovereignty must guide federal policy. At a time when Native students and schools are facing serious challenges, sharing your voice with federal decision makers could not be more important.

Hill Week will take place February 10–12, 2026 in Washington, DC.

What to expect at Hill Week:

Hearing from members of Congress and federal officials about current priorities, challenges, and opportunities in Native education.

Caucusing with other NIEA members and stakeholders to align on key messages, share community stories, and prepare together.

Heading to Capitol Hill for one-on-one conversations with congressional staff and decision makers to advocate for policies that honor Tribal sovereignty and support Native students.

Please note: To have NIEA schedule Hill meetings on your behalf, you must complete on-time registration by January 25, 2026. We are unable to schedule meetings for registrations submitted after this deadline.

Tribal Consultation on Interagency Partnerships between the U.S. Departments of Education, the Interior, and Labor
2026-02-10 12:30 - 16:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader, On February 10, 2026, from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will conduct consultation on the Interagency Agreements (IAAs) between ED and the U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Labor (DOL). The purpose of this consultation will be to receive meaningful input and guidance from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to ensure that Tribal leader views inform the implementation of the IAAs. Each Department remains committed to upholding the Federal fiduciary trust responsibility as set forth in the Constitution of the United States, Treaties, Executive Orders, and decisions of the U.S. Courts. This consultation will be conducted by the U.S. Office of Indian Education and facilitated by ED’s Tribal Consultation Official.

Background

Since the founding of the United States, the legal foundations and scope of each trust relationship between the Federal government and Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and/or Native Hawaiian Organizations have been statutorily unique. There are currently 575 federally recognized Indian Tribes, approximately 370 of which have treaties with the Federal government that remain good law. Indian Tribes do not engage in treaty-making at the Department-level; they engage in treaty-making from one Nation to another to ensure the prosperity of their descendants. The Federal government recognizes this unique relationship and the importance of acting with consistency, expediency, and efficiency.

On November 18, 2025, ED announced a deepening partnership with DOI and DOL. The partnership will be governed by IAAs through which ED will procure services from DOI and DOL for certain covered programs. DOI and DOL will provide services and technical assistance and support the integration of Native-serving programs. ED will maintain all statutory and policymaking authorities governing covered programs.

The IAA scope and purpose are as follows:

Uphold the rights of Native families.

Reduce reporting requirements to the extent permissible under the law.

Assist Native youth and adults to receive high quality education, pursue high wages, meet job demands, and build skills.

Enable administrative reform of policies and programmatic requirements.

Improve processes to enhance both applicant and grantee experiences.

As described in the introduction section of this letter, the purpose of this consultation is to receive input and guidance from Tribal leaders on the implementation of the IAAs. The following resources below can be used to help Tribal leaders prepare for the upcoming consultation:

IAA with DOI

IAA with DOL

ED’s Tribal Consultation Policy

All Fact Sheets between ED and Department of Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services, and State

Participation Information

To participate in-person (highly recommended) or virtually, please see the following venue information below:

Venue: National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)Fourth Street & Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20560Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026Time: 1:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Please follow the registration link to participate in-person or virtually at the consultation. To maintain physical security, attendees must register individually, and registration cannot be transferred to or used by others. Once you have completed an in-person or virtual registration, individualized confirmations for the session will be sent to you with additional information.

Written Comment Period

Written public comments for a topic will only be collected through the TribalConsultation@ed.gov email address. The comment period is now open and will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 12, 2026.

Sensitive Information

An Indian Tribe 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 disclosure of information designated sensitive by an Indian Tribe. Questions about this notice can be sent to TribalConsultation@ed.gov. This consultation is a closed press event.

Consultation Questions

The Department invites Tribal leaders to provide input on the following questions below:

How can the Departments of Education, Interior, and Labor best ensure continuity and stability of funding, services, and support to tribal communities during and after the transition of program administration under the Interagency Agreement?How do you believe the Department can better prioritize meeting these needs?

What specific roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms should be established among ED, DOI, and DOL to ensure clear accountability and avoid creating additional layers of federal bureaucracy in administering tribal education programs?The Department uses data to inform its budget and grantmaking decisions. What sources of information or data on the performance and needs of Native American students, teachers, and schools do you believe should inform budget development at the Department?

In what ways should the federal government strengthen consultation, communication, and partnership with tribal nations throughout the implementation of the Interagency Agreement to ensure tribal voices meaningfully inform decisions affecting tribal education programs?

What safeguards, oversight mechanisms, and performance measures should be put in place to ensure that the partnership of program administration strengthens services to Native students, families, and communities?

How can the Interagency Agreement better support tribal sovereignty, honor federal trust and treaty obligations, and ensure that tribal education institutions maintain the expertise, relationships, and capacity they have built with federal partners over time?

What risks do tribal leaders foresee in consolidating multiple tribal education programs under fewer federal agencies, and what strategies would mitigate those risks while preserving or enhancing the benefits of program integration?

Thank you in advance for your input and participation – we look forward to visiting and consulting with Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and Native Hawaiian Organizations and their leadership to empower high-quality education for all students.

2026 Champions for Change Panel
2026-02-10 15:00 - 16:00
From Alaska to Hawai’i, Oregon to North Carolina, the 2026 Champions for Change represent the next generation of U.S. and Tribal leadership. Join the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute for a public panel discussion with six emerging Indigenous leaders about the issues impacting young people across the country — from rural education and economic development to mental health and sovereignty.

Join us on February 10 from 4-5pm at the Aspen Institute DC Office or via livestream for attendees who are not based in Washington, DC. Please fill out this registration form in its entirety whether you plan to join us in person or virtually: https://register.aspeninstitute.org/event/2026ChampionsforChange

Consultation and Tribal Forum on Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act
2026-02-11 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is notifying you of the opportunity to consult on the agency’s implementation of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act.

The Forest Service National Policy Summary Analysis summarizes key pieces of the legislation and identifies how implementation may affect Tribal governments, Alaska Native Corporations, and the Tribal citizens they may represent. This information, as well as information on other agency issues, is also available on the Forest Service, Office of Tribal Relations’ National Consultation webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/tribal-relations/national-consultation.

The agency is planning a Tribal Forum engagement session on February 11th to share information and answer questions pertaining to this issue. The details of the forum are below as well as the registration link. Please follow the link below to register for the Tribal Forum engagement session.

Tribal Forum DetailsDate: February 11, 2026Time: 2-3:30 PM Eastern TimePlatform: ZoomRegistration Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/Dbyn_fTRRaq6eRtUVDENtw

The agency is using email to ensure timely communication of this notification of opportunity to consult. The Office of Tribal Relations is available to facilitate consultation with agency Consulting Officials but you may also request consultation directly at the local level. Local line officers will summarize issues and report the outcomes of consultation to me, the Office of Tribal Relations Director. To allow the Forest Service adequate time to consider and incorporate the results of consultation, we request that you submit your requests or comments within 120 days of receipt of this correspondence.

Please contact the Regional Forester/Forest Supervisor in your area, or the Office of Tribal Relations in Washington, D.C., at SM.FS.otrtribalcon@usda.gov, to request consultation on this issue or to ask any questions. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Innovative Use of Rapid DNA in Investigations
2026-02-11 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
This webinar will provide information for all stakeholders to further mass fatality incidents, human identification cases, and certain missing person investigations. The webinar and subsequent conference plenary session will focus on Rapid DNA technology as an important forensic tool that has significantly influenced the process of addressing mass fatality incidents, and other similar types of investigations. The webinar will be a mix of lecture and case study with briefs on the Palisades and Maui Fire cases. Also presented will be how technology can further Missing/Unidentified Person cases, and provide a template for how detective and medical examiners/coroners can work together on these types of cases. This webinar will briefly cover the different ways agencies use Rapid DNA and a new innovative program from ANDE for agencies that want to use it, but do not currently own the technology.

NTIA Listening Session on the Use of BEAD Funds
2026-02-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will convene a virtual listening session on the use of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds saved thanks to the Trump Administration and Secretary Lutnick’s Benefit of the Bargain reforms. This session will gather input from stakeholders to inform NTIA’s future planning and policy development regarding the use of these ‘‘nondeployment’’ funds.

DATES: The listening session will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The session will be held virtually and you can preregister for the session at https://ntia-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_C_edeFU8QWOm0m4Y-qtvaQ#/registration. For further information, please consult https://ntia-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_C_edeFU8QWOm0m4Y-qtvaQ#/registration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct questions regarding this notice to broadbandgrants@ntia.gov, indicating ‘‘BEAD Savings Listening Session’’ in the subject line, or if by mail, addressed to National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 202–482–3806. Please direct media inquiries to NTIA’s Office of Public Affairs at press@ntia.gov.

Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Tribal Office Hours
2026-02-11 15:00, 2026-02-18 15:00, 2026-02-25 15:00, 2026-03-04 15:00, 2026-03-11 15:00 | Virtual Event
If your Tribe or TDHE needs assistance with compliance or reporting, or would like to talk through program implementation, Treasury hosts weekly HAF Tribal office hours on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. ET – registration link.

SAMHSA Ready-to-Use Resources Webinar Series
2026-02-12 13:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare has created a new webinar series featuring practical, ready-to-use tools to improve outcomes for families affected by substance abuse. Each 30-minute webinar is from 2:00 – 2:30pm ET on its given day and highlights a new resource topic:

January 15, Carry the Message Toolkit: How SUD Treatment Agencies Can Help Child Welfare Agencies Meet the Safety Needs of Children

January 19, Implementing a Family-Centered Approach in Outpatient Treatment

February 12, Collaborative Teams Toolkit for Trauma-Informed Care

Beyond Land Leases: Harnessing Data Centers for Tribal Economic Development
2026-02-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Data centers are a hot topic! In this webinar, learn the unique advantages Tribes bring to developers; key elements and ingredients required for successful data center development; the role of the right partners to deliver maximum value to the community; and sources of support for Tribes seeking to evaluate whether a data center may be a good fit.

Speakers: Hear from leading Tribal enterprises and the DOE Office of Indian Energy

Ken Ahmann, COO and Co-Founder of Colusa Indian Energy

Ryan Brooks, CTO and General Manager of Data Holdings

Elisah VandenBussche, U.S. DOE Office of Indian Energy Policy & Programs

Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials
2026-02-18 00:00 - 2026-02-20 23:59 | Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ, 85226, United States
A 3-day workshop for Tribal government officials about the law and policy affecting federally-recognized Indian nations and tribes.

Through a series of 50-minute sessions over two and a half days, attendees will learn about –

Origins of tribal sovereignty, inherent rights of self-determination, and the relevance of treaties

Federal Indian law fundamentals, including civil and criminal jurisdiction

Defining Indian Country land status and #NDNLandBack efforts

Taxation and tax status of tribal entities and tribal benefits

Tribal business development, including business organization and tribal corporations

Tribal constitutions and law reform

Litigating breach of trust claims against the Federal government

Tribal environmental protection and regulation

Federal government relations advocacy and lobbying to promote tribal interests

Workshop presenters have a wide variety of experiences in tribal law, governance and business, as well as federal government advocacy, and will rely upon both traditional legal materials, current events, and analysis drawn from actual experience to illustrate relevant concepts. The format is interactive with opportunities to address questions, network with other participants and engage in discussions.

The Seminar host is Robert Odawi Porter, a former President of the Seneca Nation of Indians, and a Visiting Professor at Cornell Law School. Joining this year as featured presenters are attorneys from Lippes Mathias LLP, led by Bryan Shade, a former staff solicitor at the Department of Interior and Carol Heckman, a former federal magistrate judge and experienced litigator on behalf of Tribal governments. Also presenting is Todd Bertoson of the Capitol Hill Policy Group, a former Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee.

Who Should Attend

The workshop is designed for elected and appointed officials of federally-recognized American Indian nations and tribes, particularly those who are newly elected or appointed to office.

Registration

The cost to attend the Seminar is $1,500 per person. For registrations of three persons or more from a particular tribe, the cost is $1,250 per person. Registration is limited to 25 students.

Tribal Health Services Self-Determination and Self-Governance Technical Assistance Monthly Office Hours FY26
2026-02-18 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Due to the high demand for additional information, the USET Office Tribal Public Health is hosting office hours with Martha Ketcher, a subject matter expert, who will provide resources and guidance related to the navigating the Indian Self Determination Education Assistance Act as it pertains to health operations. To provide feedback on topics, please email Hailey Wade, USET OTPH Planning and Infrastructure Manager, at hwade@usetinc.org.

When: The third Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Central/10:00 am – 1:00 pm Eastern

Who should attend: Tribal Leaders, Health Directors, Tribal Nation designated staff

Learning objectives

October 15: The Basic ISDEAA Contracting Title I vs Title V

November 19: The 340B Pharmacy

December 17: How to Add new Programs, Functions, Services and Activities (PFSAs), Clinics, Pharmacy

January 21: How to Interpret Tribal Shares Tables

February 18: How to write Letters of Intent (LOI); Estimating Pre-Award and Startup Costs

March 18: The Preparation of Budget Negotiation, Aligning Salaries, Structuring Budgets, Contract Support Cost (CSC)

April 15: Contract Support Costs (CSC) on Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), Direct Contract Support Costs

May 20: Maximizing Space for a 105(l)

June 17: Tribal Management Grant (TMG), Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP)

July 15: Annual Funding Agreement Negotiations & Defining Scope of Work

August 19: Health System Planning (HSP) Tools, Strategic Action Plan (SAP)

Registration is open!

Questions? Please contact Hailey Wade, USET OTPH Planning and Infrastructure Manager, at hwade@usetinc.org.

Clinical Operations Technical Assistance Office Hours with James Spillane
2026-02-18 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-03-04 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-03-18 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Tribal Public Health (OTPH) will be holding regular virtual office hours with James Spillane and OTPH Data Improvement Staff to offer technical assistance on a variety of healthcare related topics. Please mark your calendars and feel free to drop by during these times.

When: The first and third Wednesday of every month at 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Central/12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Eastern

Who should attend: USET member Tribal Nation Health Directors and Clinical Staff

Learning objectives: These office hours are a great opportunity to discuss any questions, requests, or concerns you or your clinical staff may have regarding Social Determinants of Health, GPRA measures, EHR templates and reminders, RPMS, iCARE panels, workflow management, Patient-Centered Medical Home model and accreditation.

Registration is not required. Join via Zoom during any scheduled office hours.

Questions? Please contact Hailey Wade, USET OTPH Planning and Infrastructure Manager, at hwade@usetinc.org.

Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance: Wise Practices, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO Series
2026-02-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Native Psychological Brilliance refers to the innate intelligence, strengths, balance, resources, and resilience of Native people.

When: The fourth Tuesday of every month at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern

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.

Learning objectives

Increase knowledge of innate intelligence of Native people and relationship to treatment and lifelong recovery

Deepen understanding of cultural practices as teaching tools for healthy behavior and how traditional practices influence behavior change

Gain knowledge of two examples of traditional behavioral health programs

Learn example of how to translate a traditional practice into a potential billable clinical service

CME/CE Program accreditation for physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, nurses, counselors and social workers

Registration is open!

Questions? Contact reclaimingteam@usetinc.org.

Social Media Fundamentals for Criminal Investigators
2026-02-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Title: Social Media Fundamentals for Criminal Investigators

Date and Time: February 24, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm EST

Register Here: https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r614734887949b83bf85b8fcfedffc008

Description: This webinar presentation, led by the ATF’s National Firearms Trafficking Center, will cover foundational knowledge and skills to effectively leverage social media platforms in support of criminal investigations, intelligence gathering, and threat assessments. The webinar will discuss how social media data can supplement traditional investigative and analytical techniques, as well as what can and what cannot be done as it pertains to social media exploitation. Presentation topics will include the following:

•What is OSINT and SOCINT and the Internet•Account Identification•OPSEC – controlling information leakage•Setting up Devices•Creating Accounts•Documentation of Findings

This training is restricted to federal, state, and Tribal prosecutors, law enforcement and intelligence analysts employed by a law enforcement agency. There is no charge to attend this webinar. CLE will not be provided.

This training is a joint effort hosted by federal law enforcement agencies responding to violent crime in Indian Country. Sponsoring agencies include the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Indian Country Training Initiative, the United States Indian Police Academy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of the Interior’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security’s Victim Assistance Program.

If you have any questions, please contact Lamesha Bowman at Lamesha.Bowman@usdoj.gov, Deborah Thomas at Deborah.Thomas@usdoj.gov or Leslie A. Hagen at Leslie.hagen3@usdoj.gov.

Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force Meeting
2026-03-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The USET Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force (Tribal PHPR) is a Tribally centered epidemiological approach to public health preparedness and resilience. Its primary goal is to strengthen the resilience of Tribal Nations in the USET region through strategies focused on mitigation, prevention, and preparation in the disaster management cycle.

The Task Force also builds relationships between Tribal Nations and the USET Epidemiology Team, creating a space to share best practices, discuss public health strategies, and collaborate on preparedness efforts.

When: The first Tuesday of each month at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EasternMeetings will last 30-60 minutes, depending on the topic. Attend any meetings you are able — no ongoing commitment required.

Who should attend: You must be an employee, citizen, or otherwise designated with a USET member Tribal Nation to join.

Tribal Leaders & Tribal Council Members

Health Directors, Physicians, Medical Staff, Behavioral Health Professionals, Public Health Nurses

Emergency Response / Coordination Personnel, Homeland Security Personnel

Emergency Services Personnel, First Responders, Public Safety Personnel

Epidemiologists, Data Specialists

Risk Management Personnel, Community Planners

Environmental Health Staff, Public Works Personnel

Registration is open!

Questions? Please contact Anna Garrett, USET Senior Epidemiologist, at agarrett@usetinc.org, or Haley Tulis, Epidemiology Administrative Assistant, at htulis@usetinc.org.

Webinar: Addressing Veteran Substance Use
2026-03-03 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Promoting Recovery Through Collaboration and Compassion

Date: March 3, 2026Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET

Substance use among Veterans and Service Members continues to be a critical behavioral health challenge that intersects with trauma, pain management, and the transition to civilian life. Veterans are at significantly higher risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) as compared to non-veterans. Veterans with SUD are also more likely to suffer from a mental illness or experience homelessness (Lloyd, Prakash, and Terplan, 2024). Federal, state and local agencies are continually working to reduce the prevalence of SUD among Service Members, Veterans and their families (SMVF).This webinar will explore evidence-informed strategies, emerging trends, and innovative models that support recovery and resilience among SMVF. Presenters will discuss the importance of coordinated care across systems including the Department of Veterans Affairs, state health authorities, and community-based organizations. The presenters will highlight programs that are improving access to effective substance use treatment and long-term recovery support.Join us for this conversation as we bring together leaders from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the SAFE Project, and the Oregon Health Authority to share practical tools, lessons learned, and resources for those working to address substance use and promote wellness across the military and Veteran continuum of care.This webinar will be followed by a learning community series exploring each of these topics in greater detail. If you are interested, you can get further information via upcoming issues of our monthly enewsletter, “Topics in the News” or from our Upcoming Events page.

Learning Objectives

Learn about federal and state resources that can enhance coordination of recovery services and community partnerships.

Understand current trends in substance use among Veterans and Service Members, including co-occurring mental health and trauma-related conditions.

Explore effective approaches and treatment models supported by VA, the SAFE Project, and state partners.

2026 USET and USET SPF Impact Week Board of Directors Meetings
2026-03-09 00:00 - 2026-03-12 23:59 | Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
Dissimilar to many other Tribal/Native organizational meetings and conferences held across Indian Country, the USET and USET SPF Impact Week and Annual Meetings are Board of Directors meeting convenings and are not open for general, public registration. Anyone who is not representing a member Tribal Nation would need an invitation from the organization and/or a member Tribal Nation in order to attend and participate.

Hotel Information

Crystal Gateway Marriott1700 Richmond HighwayArlington, Virginia 22202

Room Rate: $276.00 plus 14.25% tax. Rate available 3 days pre and 3 days post meeting.

Click here to book your hotel room.

The discounted rate expires on February 13, 2026.You can also call 1-800-393-3680 and reference the USET/USET SPF Impact Week Meeting and your arrival date to receive the discounted rate.

Additional hotels in the area include:

AC Hotel Arlington National Landing (formerly the Crystal City Marriott)

The Westin Crystal City Reagan National Airport

Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel

Residence Inn by Marriott Arlington Capital View

Courtyard by Marriott Arlington Crystal City/Reagan National Airport

Registration

Registration is open.

All attendees are strongly encouraged to register in advance.

The early bird registration fee is $300 for USET committee members and general attendees.The registration fee increases to $350 on February 6, 2026.

Cancellation and Substitution Information

Cancellations made prior to February 6, 2026, will receive a refund of the registration, less a $50 processing fee. For cancellations on or after February 6, 2026, written notification must be received by USET and there will be no refunds.

Substitutions can be made by submitting information to the USET office.

Board of Directors Agenda Outline

Please note that our USET/USET SPF 2026 Impact Week Meetings are scheduled when the Senate is in session, but the House of Representatives is not. Due to the advanced venue contract timeline, we have to select our event dates before Congress releases their calendars. We appreciate your understanding.

Monday, March 9 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

General Assembly

United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) c(3) Convening

United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) c(3) Business Session

Adjourn USET c(3)

USET Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF) c(4) Convening

USET SPF Policy, Legislation, and Litigation Updates

Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Board of Directors Meets

12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Congressional VisitsAfternoons are designated for individual Congressional delegation meetings. Each Tribal Nation is responsible for scheduling its own meetings on Capitol Hill.

White House

Chase Wilson, Associate Director, White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (Invited)

Indian Health Service

Clayton Fulton, Acting Director

Joni Lyons, Acting Nashville Area Office Director

Department of Health and Human Services

Mark Cruz, Senior Advisor to the Secretary (Invited)

Department of the Interior

Billy Kirkland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (Invited)

Brian Bald Eagle, Acting Eastern Region Director (Invited)

U.S. Department of Justice

DOJ Representatives (Invited)

Sarah Harris, Vice Chair, Mohegan Tribe, Member of DOJ Tribal Nations Leadership Council

Katie Klass, General Counsel, USET/USET SPF

Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty (CTS)

U.S. Semiquincentennial – VA250 Approach and Native Truth-telling

Carly Fiorina, National Honorary Chair, VA250 Commission

Stephen Adkins, Chief, Chickahominy Indian Tribe, VA250 Commissioner

Anne Richardson, Chief, Rappahannock Tribe, VA250 Commissioner

Treasury Department Updates

Brandon Beach, U.S. Treasurer

General Welfare Exclusion and Tribally Chartered Entity Rules Implementation and Next Steps

Fatima Abbas, Director, Office of Tribal and Native Affairs

Rodney Butler, Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, TTAC Member

U.S. Department of Agriculture Updates

T.W. Shannon, Senior Advisor for Rural Prosperity, Office of the Secretary (Invited)

Rights of Nature Advocacy and the Rappahannock Tribe

Frank Bibeau, Tribal Attorney and Director of Tribal Rights of Nature Program, Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights

Thursday, March 12 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Close-Up Sovereignty Statement Presentation

USET SPF c(4) Business Session

Adjourn USET SPF c(4)

Committee Agendas

Committee agendas will be available soon.

Resolutions

Please submit resolutions to Liz Malerba at lmalerba@usetinc.org by February 16, 2026. Late resolutions may not be considered.

Draft resolutions submitted after the deadline are only eligible for consideration at the authorization of the USET SPF Executive Officers Committee (EOC) if: (1) the resolution addresses an emergency, an issue that was not known before the deadline, or for other good cause; and (2) the EOC, at its discretion, agrees to consider the resolution. Emergency resolutions must be received by 5:00 pm local time during the first day of the USET SPF meeting. Otherwise, they will not be considered.

USET Resolution Template for 2026 Impact Week Meeting

USET SPF Resolution Template for 2026 Impact Week Meeting

Vendors and Artisans

Vendors can reserve a booth at $850/per booth. Vendors need to register for the meeting to reserve their booth.Artisans can reserve a table at $100/per table. Artisans need to register for the meeting to reserve their table.

Event Schedule

Set up time each day: 7:00 am – 8:00 am

Vendor/Artisan Hours

Monday, March 9, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Welcome Reception 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Optional)

Tuesday, March 10, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Wednesday, March 11, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thursday, March 12, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Must be moved out by no later than 2:00 pm.)

Questions? Contact Destiny Smith, USET Employee Relations & Personnel Management Assistant, at dsmith@usetinc.org.

Meeting App

Use the USET/USET SPF Events app to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, create your personal schedule, view all agendas, and connect with attendees.

The Impact Week event will be available in the app the week before the Meeting.

Open the app in Google Play

Open the app in the Apple Store

Safe Public Health Practices Policy for All USET/USET SPF Meetings

While the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, the lessons learned during this time remind us of the importance of maintaining proactive and precautionary health measures. Moving forward, USET/USET SPF remains committed to fostering safe and healthy environments for all members, staff, and event attendees by applying general public health best practices. The USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (USET TEC) is a designated public health authority and encourages all attendees to adopt general health measures to protect themselves and others, such as:

Staying home when feeling unwell.

Washing hands frequently and thoroughly.

Practicing respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering coughs and sneezes).

Remaining aware of potential health risks and staying informed about public health updates.

Violent Online Networks and Sadistic Online Exploitation: An Emerging Online Threat to Youth
2026-03-10 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Violent online networks are increasingly targeting vulnerable children and youth, coercing them into producing and sharing graphic content including gore, animal cruelty, self-harm, violence, and in some cases child sexual abuse material.This webinar equips professionals with critical insight into this emerging threat, specifically those working within and amongst our Indian Country vulnerable victims. This will also include offender dynamics, victim vulnerability, unique challenges, impacts on victims, forensic interviewing considerations, and strategies for addressing secondary traumatic stress for Multidisciplinary Team members working these cases all through the lenses of the unique considerations for IC professionals.The FBI is actively combatting Violent Online Networks (VON). These groups often promote sadistic online exploitation (SOE) and Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE). Members of these violent online networks methodically target the most vulnerable individuals and coerce them into producing violent and/or sexually explicit material. The FBI partners with organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and various international task forces to investigate these crimes and prosecute offenders. The FBI has reported opening investigations into more than 350 individuals affiliated with VON associated predators who befriend minors or other vulnerable people and coerce them to create sexually explicit material and commit acts such as harming themselves or animals. All 56 FBI field offices have investigations into these violent networks with some investigations impacting Tribal communities. During this webinar, participants will learn about the increase in FBI reports of technology-facilitated victimization by violent VON groups, the unique characteristics of the cases and related considerations for forensic interviews, and strategies for addressing secondary traumatic stress for Multidisciplinary Teams providing services in these cases.This webinar is available to all federal, state, and tribal criminal justice and social services personnel as well as Tribal leaders and interested community stakeholders. There is no charge to attend the webinar. CLE will not be provided.

This training is a joint effort hosted by federal law enforcement agencies responding to violent crime in Indian Country. Sponsoring agencies include the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Indian Country Training Initiative, the United States Indian Police Academy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of the Interior’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security’s Victim Assistance Program.

DOJ Consultation re: Public Safety Issues
2026-03-16 14:00, 2026-03-17 14:00, 2026-03-18 14:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader:We are pleased to invite you to a government-to-government consultation with the Department of Justice regarding legislative proposals that address a range of public safety issues in Tribal communities. Please see the attached framing paper for more information about the proposed legislation.

The consultation discussions will be held virtually as follows:

Monday, March 16, 2026, 3-5 PM EST

Expand the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program

Remove Statute of Limitations for Second Degree Murder

Amend Tribal Law Enforcement Access to Firearms

Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 3-5 PM EST

Amend U.S. Marshals Service Authority to Execute Tribal Violent Felony Warrants

Amend Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution Statute

Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 3-5 PM EST

Establish a Felony Child Abuse and Neglect Statute

Extend Federal Criminal Jurisdiction Over Sexual Abuse Crimes Against Children in Alaska Native Villages

Amend the Stored Communications Act

Thursday, March 19, 2026, 3-5 PM EST

Expand Authority for the Entry of Domestic Violence Protection Orders

Amend Tribal Background Check Authorities

DOJ Training and Technical Assistance to InterTribal Consortia

Clarify Responsibility for NCIC Training for Law Enforcement Officers

Friday, March 20, 2026, 3-5 PM EST

Recap

Open discussion and opportunity to revisit any proposals

Please note that the consultation discussions will be closed to the press.

If you are interested in attending, please register by 5pm Eastern on March 13, 2026. We strongly encourage written comments, which will be accepted until April 20, 2026. Please submit comments by email to OTJ@usdoj.gov, or by mail to Office of Tribal Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20530-0001.

If you have questions, have difficulty registering, or need any accommodations for the sessions, please contact the Office of Tribal Justice at OTJ@usdoj.gov. We hope you will be able to participate in this important government-to-government consultation.

Intercultural Communications
2026-03-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
The goal of this webinar is to equip law enforcement officers and other first responders with the essential knowledge, practical tools, and culturally responsive communication skills necessary for respectful, effective, and sustained engagement with Native communities across Indian Country. Training will emphasize the importance of cultural awareness, including tribal sovereignty, traditions, and contemporary realities; a thorough understanding of the historical context that continues to shape tribal–federal–state relationships; and the unique legal and jurisdictional complexities that define law enforcement in Indian Country.By fostering a deeper appreciation for Native histories, values, and governance structures, officers will be better prepared to navigate sensitive situations with cultural competence and humility. The curriculum will also highlight best practices in cross-jurisdictional collaboration between tribal, local, state, and federal agencies—ensuring coordination that respects tribal authority and enhances both officer and community safety. Ultimately, this training seeks to build trust, improve operational effectiveness, and promote long-term partnerships that honor the sovereignty and dignity of Native nations.This training is available to all federal, state, and Tribal criminal justice and social service professionals who work in Indian country or with Native Americans. There is no charge to attend this training, and CLE will not be available.This training is a joint effort hosted by federal law enforcement agencies responding to violent crime in Indian Country. Sponsoring agencies include the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Indian Country Training Initiative, the United States Indian Police Academy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of the Interior’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security’s Victim Assistance Program.

If you have any questions, please contact Lamesha Bowman at Lamesha.Bowman@usdoj.gov, Deborah Thomas at Deborah.Thomas@usdoj.gov or Leslie A. Hagen at Leslie.Hagen3@usdoj.gov.
