United South & Eastern Tribes

RES 2025
2025-03-10 08:00 - 2025-03-13 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Caesars Palace, 3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV, 89109, United States
March 10-13, 2025
Las Vegas, NV
Conference Website
RES 2025 is the Summit to attend for those looking for high caliber networking, winning teaming opportunities, business development sessions, one-on-one consulting, all centered around American Indian Enterprise.
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is embracing Beyond Boundaries for the 2025 Reservation Economic Summit. The event features tribal leaders, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, state and local officials, and top CEOs on a national platform.

2025 USET/USET SPF Impact Week Board of Directors Meeting
2025-03-10 - 2025-03-13 | Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
2025 USET/USET SPF Impact Week
Board of Directors Meeting
March 10-13, 2025
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Dissimilar to many other Tribal/Native organizational meetings and conferences held across Indian Country, the USET/USET SPF Impact Week and Annual Meetings are Board of Directors meeting convenings and 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 Marriott
1700 Richmond Highway
Arlington, Virginia 22202
$276.00 plus 14.25%tax. Rate available 3 days pre and 3 days post
Click here to book your hotel room.
The discounted rate expires on February 11, 2025.
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.
Here is a list of hotels in the area:

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
On-site registration opens at 7:00 AM on Monday and Tuesday.
We encourage ALL attendees (Board members, Committee members, Tribal Legal/Government Affairs and Tribal Staff, and presenters) to register in advance.
The early bird registration fee is $300.00 for USET committee members, general attendees, and artisans.
The registration fee increases to $350.00 on February 14, 2025.
Registration is now open.

Agendas
Board of Directors Agenda
Close Up Youth Agenda
Committee Agendas:

Culture and Heritage
The Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Committee will not be meeting.
Education
Health
Homeland Security and Emergency Services
The Housing Committee will not be meeting.
Natural Resources
Social Services
Transportation
Tribal Administration
Tribal Justice
Veterans

Agenda Outline

Monday, March 10 at 8:30 am – 12:00 pm:

USET Committees joining USET/USET SPF Board all day
General Assembly
USET 501(c)(3) Board Meeting

Monday, March 10 at 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm:

USET SPF 501(c)(4) Board Meeting
Trump Administration Actions | Impacts to Indian Country Discussion
Description: This afternoon is being designed as an in-person extension of our recently convened Weekly Trump Administration Actions Impacts call. Consistent with those calls, the purposes and intent will be for the Board, Tribal leaders, membership programmatic staff/committees, and USET/USET SPF staff to gather together to discuss the following Trump Actions and Impacts topic areas:
(1) Policy, Legislative, and Litigation,
(2) Finance, Grants, and Grants Compliance,
(3) Potential Impacts to Public Health, and
(4) Sharing of Specific Examples and Challenges. In addition to creating space to discuss the impacts of actions seen thus far, and the related response reactions, we are equally creating the space to discuss a proactive, deliberative, and unique strategy.
As we have discussed during our weekly calls, not only does this moment require a doubling down on the principles of our government-to-government diplomatic relationship with the United States, reliance on our existing bi-partisan Congressional and Administration relationships and building new, but equally important is an appreciation and understanding that we must consider new advocacy approaches that meets this moment for the realities of what we are currently being confronted.

Tuesday, March 11 at 8:30 am – 10:30 am:

Committees joining Board for morning session
USET SPF updates

Tuesday, March 11 at 10:30 am – 12:00 pm:

USET/UST SPF Closed Session
USET Committees convene at 10:30am

Tuesday, March 11 at 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm:

Tribal Leader Congressional Hill Visits | *As requested by the USET/USET SPF membership, this is time for each individual member Tribal Nation to schedule its own Hill and/or Administration meetings. However, we will make available Talking Points that reflect the organization’s priorities, including language specific to the national coordinated messaging strategy about the Trump Administrations actions thus far.
USET Committees continue to convene in individual rooms

Wednesday, March 12 at 8:30 am – 12:00 pm:

USET/USET SPF Board meets with various SPF invited individuals & entities
USET Committees break out to individual rooms

Wednesday, March 12 at 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm:

Tribal Leader Congressional Hill Visits | Afternoons are designated for individual congressional delegation meetings. Each Tribal Nation is responsible for scheduling its own meetings on Capitol Hill
USET Committees continue to convene in individual rooms

Thursday, March 13 at 8:30 am – 1:30 pm:

Close Up Youth breakfast
Close Up Youth presentation to USET Board of Directors
Business Session to Wrap up week
Adjourn by 1:30 pm

Special Events
USET/USET SPF Welcome Reception: Monday, March 10 at 6:00 pm at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. Light hors d’oeuvres will be available. Registration for the USET/USET SPF Impact Week Meeting is not required to attend the reception. All are welcome to attend.
Silent Auction: A silent auction will be held on Monday, March 10 through Wednesday, March 12 to raise funds to provide a limited number of matching dollars for members who need to fundraise locally to provide the financial resources to enable their youth to attend Close Up during our annual USET/USET SPF Impact Week Meeting. You will find the auction in the Meeting Registration area.

Resolutions
Please submit resolutions to Liz Malerba at lmalerba@usetinc.org by February 14, 2025. 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 pm local time during the first day of the USET SPF meeting. Otherwise, they will not be considered.

USET SPF Resolution Template
USET Resolution Template

Meeting App
We have a meeting app – USET/USET SPF Events. Download the app from your app store and search for USET/USET SPF Impact Week. 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.

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

If you have used the app for a previous USET/USET SPF 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 2025 USET/USET SPF Impact Week Meeting and download the event to your app.

Vendors and Artisans
Vendors and Artisans must register for the event to secure their space.
For questions, please contact Destiny Smith, USET Employee Relations & Personnel Management Assistant, at dsmith@usetinc.org.
Shipping information:
The Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel will only accept packages (3) three days prior to your function date/arrival
date and we must be made aware of such deliveries by emailing WASGWSECURITY@Marriott.com. Packages delivered more than (3) days before your function date/arrival date will be assessed a storage fee.
The storage fee prices are as follows:

Pallets- $100.00 per day.
Crates/Exhibit cases over 50 lbs. – $100.00 per day.
Exhibit cases under 50 lbs.- $25.00 per case per day.
Package/Boxes under 25 lbs. $5.00 a Package /Box per day.
Package/Boxes over (25 lbs.+) $10.00 a Package/Box per day.

Shipments being delivered to the Crystal Gateway Marriott MUST be addressed as follows:
Attn: PERSON RECEIVING PACKAGE
Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel
1700 Richmond Highway
Arlington, Virginia 22202
Hold For: USET/USET SPF Impact Week Meeting, Wanda Janes
Arrival Date: Contact Arrival Day and Date
The Crystal Gateway Marriott will not assume any responsibility for the damage or loss of merchandise sent to
the Hotel for storage. Shipping charges apply for both incoming and outgoing packages.

USET/USET SPF 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.

FEMA Tribal Consultation to Discuss Grant Programs
2025-03-06 13:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Framing Paper
ITEMC Virtual FEMA Advisory FEB 2025
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
March 6 at 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
Register
In response to the letter FEMA received from the Inter-Tribal Emergency Management Coalition (ITEMC) Chairman, FEMA hosted a tribal consultation on FEMA’s grant programs on August 22, 2024, during the ITEMC Summit. As a follow up to that consultation, FEMA is hosting another consultation in a virtual format to continue gathering vital feedback on its grant programs. FEMA’s senior leadership will lead the consultation. Topics to discuss include:

Issues with FEMA grant program processes and applications;
Tribal barriers and challenges, including the accessibility of FEMA grants; and
Other tribal needs related to building resilience.

Written Comments:
To submit questions in advance of the tribal consultation, please email gpd-comms@fema.dhs.gov or a FEMA Regional Tribal Liaison.
To submit comments following the March 6 tribal consultation, please email gpd-comms@fema.dhs.gov or the FEMA Regional Tribal Liaisons on or before May 9, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET.
Contact information for FEMA Tribal Liaisons is available at www.fema.gov/about/contact.

NEW Property Maintenance for Tribal Housing Training
2025-03-06 - 2025-03-07
The Native Learning Center hosts a comprehensive two-day in-person tuition-free training provides both entry-level and seasoned Tribal Housing Professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and execute maintenance operations within their communities. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of preventative maintenance, troubleshooting common issues, and coordinating repairs while adhering to relevant regulations and industry best practices.

Dates: March 6 to 7, 2025
Location: Hollywood, FL
Register Here

HHS Planning Sessions for the Annual Tribal Budget Consultation
2025-03-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
As in previous years, HHS will continue to work to improve the consultation process. The Department understands the importance of hearing from Tribal Nations on national and regional issues, as well as Tribal-specific concerns. HHS will host two planning sessions to prepare for the consultation. These will take place on:

Wednesday, March 5 from 3:00 – 4:00pm ET
Wednesday, March 19 from 3:00 – 4:00pm ET

Please register to attend one or both of the consultation planning calls at the following link: https://hhsgov.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/_HcAOZncSE-vffQpNMhqMA (-> click.connect.hhs.gov). More information about the agendas for these sessions is forthcoming.

Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force Meeting
2025-03-04 12:00 - 12:30 | 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 with the primary goal of strengthening the resilience of Tribal Nations in the USET region through public health strategies focused on the mitigation, prevention, and preparation phases of the disaster management cycle.  The goal of this Task Force is to build relationships between Tribal Nations in the USET region and the USET Epidemiology team! Join the contact list today to start receiving updates.
Date: The first Tuesday of every month at 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Central / 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Eastern

Who Should Attend?

Tribal Leaders and 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
Anyone interested in Public Health Preparedness and Resilience

Registration: Register today for the zoom meeting.
Questions: For questions, please contact Anna Garrett, USET Senior Epidemiologist at agarrett@usetinc.org or Samantha Rieche, USET Program Coordinator at srieche@usetinc.org.

2025 Tribal Health Equity Data Symposium
2025-03-04 - 2025-03-05
National Indian Health Board will host the Tribal Health Equity Data Symposium on March 4–5, 2025. The conference is open to anyone interested in the topics of the conference, but especially recommended for Tribal public health and healthcare data users and data analysts, Tribal leaders, epidemiologists and staff from Tribal Epidemiology Centers, CMS Tribal Technical Advisory Group (TTAG) members from the health equity and/or data subcommittees, leaders from Federal and state agencies interested in the topics, academics and other practitioners who are passionate about issues specific to Tribal Health Equity Data.

Tribal Clean Energy Finance and Tax Forum
2025-03-03 08:00 - 2025-03-05 17:00
The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy’s Tribal Clean Energy Finance and Tax Forum has been designed to connect Tribal Nations, investors, lenders, and other clean energy stakeholders in highly interactive sessions focused on identifying opportunities to build equitable Tribal partnerships for both purpose and profit. Participants will explore pathways to advance clean energy development on Tribal lands, fostering economic resilience, energy sovereignty, and climate solutions.

Dates: March 3 to 5, 2025
Location: Chandler, AZ
Register Here

NAFOA Webinar: Developing Healthcare Facilities and Community Amenities with New Markets Tax Credits
2025-03-03 08:00 - 17:00 | 123 Easy Street, Nashville, TN, 37211, United States
March 27 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register
Native communities can use the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) to support important economic development projects—from Tribal businesses to schools to public infrastructure. The program has provided gap funding for hundreds of millions of dollars in development across Indian Country.
The NMTC program can also be used to finance health care and wellness facilities. In this webinar, we will explain the fundamentals of the NMTC program and discuss how it can specifically support the health needs of your community.
If your Tribal nation received ARPA funds for a health care or wellness facility but still has a funding gap—or if parts of the project were reduced due to budget constraints—this financing tool can help. It can cover those gaps, pay for cost overruns, and support you in completing the project you envisioned.

Haudenosaunee & Indigenous Matrilineality Symposium
2025-02-28 - 2025-03-02
February 28 – March 2, 2025
at Syracuse University
The Haudenosaunee women-led, non-profit organization Rematriation is hosting an academic symposium in collaboration with Syracuse University’s Center for Global Indigenous Cultures and Environmental Justice at Syracuse University from February 28 through March 2, 2025.
Syracuse University is located on Onondaga Nation lands in the heart of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The purpose of the symposium is to share principles of Haudenosaunee and Indigenous matrilineal knowledge as a praxis to address critical global challenges.

BIA Virtual Fee-to-Trust Acquisitions and Reservation Proclamation Handbook Overview/Training
2025-02-27 12:00 - 15:00, 2025-02-26 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-25 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-02-24 12:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
BIA Office of Trust Services (OTS), Central Office – Division of Real Estate Services (DRES) provides guidance to real estate services personnel in preparing, reviewing, and processing Fee-to-Trust (FTT) acquisitions of fee or restricted fee lands by the United States for the beneficial use of American Indians and Alaska Natives or federally recognized Tribes. The corresponding Indian Affairs Manual (IAM) chapter, 52 IAM 12: Processing Fee-to-Trust Applications and Proclamations, provides the general authorities and responsibilities, and is the official policy for processing fee-to-trust acquisitions as well as Proclamations.
The Department will host the Indian Affairs Rollout, in coordination with the BIA OTS DRES and the Office of the Solicitor, overview sessions as listed below. Panelists include staff from DRES, SOL, Division of Resource Integration and Services, and the Division of Environmental Services & Cultural Resources Management.
Topic:       Virtual Fee-to-Trust Acquisitions and Reservation Proclamation Handbook Overview/Training
Description: Indian Affairs invites Tribal Leaders, Tribal POCs, BIA field staff and Tribal Contract/Compact staff to participate in the Fee-to-Trust Acquisitions and Reservation Proclamation Handbook Trainings.
Training 1 – BIA Field & Tribal Contract/Compact
Date/Time: Monday, February 24, 2025, at 11:00 am – 2:00 pm MST
To Register: BIA Field Staff Registration
Training 2 – Tribes and Tribal POCs
Date/Time:   Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm MST
To Register: Tribal Leaders Tuesday Registration
Training 3 – Tribes and Tribal POCs
Date/Time:   Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm MST
To Register:   Tribal Leader Wednesday Registration
Training 4 – BIA Field & Tribal Contract/Compact
Date/Time: Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 11:00 am – 2:00 pm MST
To Register:  BIA Field Staff Registration

Tribal Business Forum & Reservation Economics Training
2025-02-27 - 2025-02-28 | Paragon Casino Resort, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, LA, 71351, United States
Dear Tribal Leader:
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana invites you to participate in its inaugural Tribal-Business Forum and Reservation Economics Training. The Forum will take place on Thursday, February 27, and the Training will take place on Friday, February 28 at the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, located in Marksville, Louisiana. The registration and agenda for both events can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tribal-business-forum-reservation-economics-tickets-1217049851869?aff=oddtdtcreator.
The Tribal-Business Forum is designed to create a dialogue between tribal leaders and business leaders. By creating a dialogue, the forum hopes to identify obstacles and opportunities for increased private sector development in Indian country. Moreover, the forums are intended to build the relationships necessary to produce real world action.
Reservation Economics is an interactive training designed to discuss the nexus between tribal legal institutions and economic development. The training will include discussion with Native business owners about their experiences working with tribes. Additionally, the training will feature discussions on developing efficient legal institutions. Sessions will be led by Native business owners, law professors, attorneys, and economists.
Thanks to generous funding from the John Templeton Foundation and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, this event is provided free of charge. In appreciation for your participation, we may be able to provide an honorarium up to $500. Travel and lodging support can be provided based upon need. Space for these events limited. To secure hotel accommodations at Paragon Casino Resort, please call 800.642.7777 and use reservation ID code: ACM26GR.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana is offering this event as part of the Indian Country Private Sector Project (ICPSP). The ICPSP is new initiative by Loyola University Chicago School of Law, The ACES School, and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. The ICPSP’s goal is to improve tribal economies by strengthening tribal legal institutions.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Adam Crepelle at acrepelle@luc.edu or 985.255.9093 or Megan Guillot at mguillot@tunica.org or 318.264.1799.
Sincerely,
Marshall Pierite and Adam Crepelle

Treasury Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Quarterly Reporting Office Hours
2025-02-26 14:00, 2025-02-19 14:00, 2025-02-12 14:00 | Virtual Event
The Department of the Treasury is hosting weekly Office Hours for Tribal Nations and Tribal Nation Housing Authorities that need assistance with the HAF quarterly report or would like to talk through program implementation. This series is restricted only to Tribal staff of Tribes Nations participating in the HAF. Details regarding the upcoming Office Hours are as follows—

Dates: January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26 at 3:00 pm ET
Register Here

Indigenous Economic Development Community of Practice Webinar: Accessing the Resources and Capital to Support Economic Development - Part 1 (Virtual Training Session)
2025-02-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
February 26 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Central
Register
Brief Description: As Tribal Nations and Native communities seek to develop a strong foundation for economic development activities and strategies, they must also identify the array of available sources of funding, financing and/or customers/clients that will support the enterprises and projects that will ultimately implement portions of these strategies. The second section of this track will provide a non-exhaustive list of funding sources and the eligible uses and combinations of these sources as well as provide training on how to advance economic development through external borrowing/financing of activities (as opposed to purely grant-funded approaches) and the use of federal contracting to grow Tribal enterprises and 8(a) businesses.
Part 1:

Economic Development Resources and Funding Sources (local, state, federal, Tribal, and philanthropic grants and loans); Grant Application Best Practices

IRS Office Hours on Pre-Filing Registration Process for Elective Payment and Transfer of Clean Energy and CHIPS Credits
2025-02-26 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
The IRS is offering office hours (through Microsoft Teams) to help entities with the pre-filing registration process on the IRA/CHIPS Pre-filing Registration Tool. Pre-filing registration is a required step for applicable entities and eligible taxpayers to take advantage of elective payment or transfer of credits available in the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act. Representatives from the IRS will be available to answer your pre-filing registration questions.
Registration for office hours is open. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking on the links below.

Date
Time
Register

January 15, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

January 29, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

February 12, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

February 26, 2024
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

March 12, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

March 26, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

April 9, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

April 23, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

May 7, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

May 21, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

June 4, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

June 18, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

July 2, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

July 16, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance: Wise Practices, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO Session
2025-02-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. presents the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance: Wise Practices, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO Session. Native Psychological Brilliance refers to the intelligence, strengths, balance, innate resources, and resilience of Native people. This no-cost telehealth series will be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 1:00 pm Central/2:00 pm Eastern. Each session will be one hour in length.
February’s session will feature Jackie Vorpahl, PhD (Choctaw), Tribal Psychologist. The presentation is titled, “Sacred Parenting Strategies: Walking Together, Standing in Strength.”
Who should attend? Tribal Nation health directors, clinic staff, counselors, social workers, physicians, nurses, Tribal Epidemiology Center staff, and anyone supporting Tribal Nation citizens through the health/behavioral health sector are welcome to join.
The one-hour Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance virtual series will provide an opportunity for participants to:

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

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

10th Annual Repatriation Conference
2025-02-25 - 2025-02-27 | Paragon Casino Resort, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, LA, 71351, United States
February 25-27, 2025
Hosted by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisaina
Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana
The Association’s 10th Annual Repatriation Conference, “Igniting Change,” continues their legacy to provide comprehensive training and expertise at a grassroots level. The new Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) regulations that went into effect in January 2024 provide strict timelines, deference to Native Traditional Knowledge and robust consultation. This year’s Conference will provide comprehensive interactive training on the new NAGPRA regulations, international repatriation, and other issues about the protection of Native cultural heritage. Our Conference promises to be a dynamic training and networking opportunity for all attendees!
Visit the conference website to register and learn more.

Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs
2025-02-25 - 2025-02-26 | Virtual Event
Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs
February 25-26
Virtual
Register

NAFOA Workshop: Tribal Financial Contingency Workshop Series
2025-02-21 13:00, 2025-02-20 13:00 | Virtual Event
February 20 and 21 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register for one or more workshops
NAFOA and Native Advisory are co-hosting a two-part webinar series to actively and timely prepare Tribes for the recent federal funding freeze and the related reviews of all federal spending by the Trump Administration.
Workshop 1: Tribal Financial Contingency Plans – Proactive & Active Steps in Crises In this one-hour Workshop, Tribes will review a template Financial Contingency Plan and formulate their own custom plan to implement when necessary. Participants will learn proven ways to respond to financial crises and have a chance to ask questions and learn from each other.
Workshop 2: Tribal Funding Impact Reports – Preparing Your Messaging with Data In this one-hour Workshop, Tribes will be given steps to produce a custom Funding Impact Report that can be used to advocate for the necessity of their Tribal federal funding. Participants will learn simple ways to use readily available data and financial information to create reports that effectively tell their stories.

Tribal Government E-Commerce CLE Conference
2025-02-20 - 2025-02-21 | Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ, 85226, United States
The Indian Legal Program and the Rosette, LLP American Indian Economic Development Program at ASU Law are proud to partner with the ASU American Indian Policy Institute, the National Congress of American Indians’ Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty and the Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium to bring you an impactful event.
They are thrilled to see you on the beautiful homelands of Gila River Indian Community at the 11th Annual Tribal Government E-Commerce CLE Conference, Wiring the Rez: Building Tribal Economies through Digital Sovereignty.
Join them at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona on Feb. 20–21, 2025, for two days of insight, collaboration and innovation.

Clinical Operations Technical Assistance Office Hours with James Spillane
2025-02-19 13:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Tribal Public Health (OTPH) is pleased to announce that starting January 15th we 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: GPRA, EHR, RPMS, iCARE, workflow management, and the Patient-Centered Medical Home model/accreditation. Please mark your calendars and feel free to drop by during these times.
When: The third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Who should attend: USET member Tribal Nations 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:

GPRA
EHR
RPMS
iCARE
Workflow Management
Patient-Centered Medical Home Model/Accreditation.

Registration: Registration is not required.
Join via Zoom: Zoom link
Questions: Please contact Hailey Wade, USET Public Health Planning & Infrastructure Program Manager, at hwade@usetinc.org.

Urban Institute Webinar: Expanding Digital Opportunity: Charting a Path toward Full Inclusion
2025-02-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Hybrid Event, TN
February 19 at 11:00 am – 3:45 pm Eastern
Register
In our interconnected world, digital participation is essential for quality of life and well-being. But the digital divide—the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online and those who do not—threatens to leave some individuals and communities out.
Join the Urban Institute as they highlight solutions to narrow the digital divide in this time of historic digital investments. The event will launch Urban’s new evidence-based Framework for Digital Opportunity and Inclusion, which identifies the pillars of digital inclusion and highlights the positive outcomes for individuals and families, communities, and society. Researchers, advocates, practitioners, industry leaders, and officials working to expand digital opportunity and inclusion will discuss established and emerging lessons and practices for what digital opportunity looks like in the economic and workforce sectors, the health care sector, and in rural and Tribal communities.
Opening conversation

Sarah Rosen Wartell, President, Urban Institute
Broderick Johnson, Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Comcast

A Framework for Digital Opportunity and Inclusion

Corianne Payton Scally, Principal Associate and Equitable Community Development Practice Area Lead, Community Science

Increasing Economic Mobility by Expanding Digital Opportunity

Molly Dillon, Director of Policy Advocacy, America Achieves
April Feng, CEO, Ameelio
Cristal Mojica, Senior Program Manager, Digital Equity Initiative, Michelson 20MM Foundation
Hayling Price, Visiting Fellow, Research to Action Lab and Executive Director, Mobility Alliance Incubation Hub, Urban Institute (moderator)

Improving Health Outcomes by Strengthening Digital Inclusion

Amy Hinojosa, President and CEO, MANA
Sarah Swank, General Counsel, On Belay Health Solutions
Karen Tamley, President and CEO, Access Living
Fredric Blavin, Senior Fellow, Health Policy Division, Urban Institute (moderator)

Expanding Digital Opportunity in Rural and Tribal Communities

Alexis Guild, Vice President of Strategy and Programs, Farmworker Justice
Christopher Key, Cofounder and Board Member, Hesperus
Joshua Williams, Assistant Program Officer, Digital Equity, Rural LISC
Lyndsay Moyer, Vice President, State Government Affairs, Comcast (moderator)

BIA Division of Self Determination ISDEAA Training
2025-02-19 - 2025-02-20
Please register using the link provided here:
FY25 ISDEAA Training for Tribes and Tribal Organizations
Construction Contracting under Public Law 93-638 – Section 105, 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart J
January 28-30, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time
Albuquerque, NM
Contract Support Cost
February 19-20, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time
Virtual
Contract Support Cost
March 12-13, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Central Time
Virtual
Single Audit
March 19-20, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Virtual
Contract Support Cost
May 14-15, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Virtual
The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Indian Services, Division of Self Determination, is pleased to announce the FY 2025 training schedule focused on topics specifically related to the P.L. 93-638 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, as Amended (ISDEAA). The training sessions are specifically designated for elected tribal officials, tribal employees, tribal organizations, and aims to empower tribal communities with the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to assist in navigating the complexities of self-determination, enhance governance, and strengthen tribal sovereignty.
The training objectives include reviewing key policies that support P.L. 93-638 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, as Amended, the regulations, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs policies. The Construction Contracting course will provide information and guidance on how tribal governments may design and build projects under the authority of P.L. 93-638. The Contract Support Cost (CSC) course will include a brief overview of ISDEAA. A considerable portion of the agenda is dedicated to detailed and precise examples of CSC worksheets and calculations. The Single Audit course will include information on preparation and follow-up using OMB policy and compliance supplements.
Interested participants are invited to enroll using the training link provided and registration is on a first-come basis. Participation is accepted up to the maximum capacity, thereafter a waitlist is maintained. A confirmation email and a meeting invitation will be provided prior to the start of each training course.
The Division of Self Determination understands cancellations may occur, and we will be flexible and prepared for potential changes. Cancellation notifications may be submitted as soon as possible or at a minimum of 48 hours in advance to allow sufficient time to offer the availability to an individual on the waitlist.
All training resource documents will be provided electronically, allowing each participant the ease of access to determine whether they prefer to follow along using the electronic version or print the material at their convenience.

USET OERM Webinar Series | Reducing Lead in Tribal Communities
2025-02-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management presents
the Reducing Lead in Tribal Communities Webinar Series
On October 8th, the Biden-Harris Administration issued its final rules of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The LCRI has committed federal funding to make sure that all communities have safe, clean drinking water. USET’s Office of Environmental Resource Management (OERM) Lead Reduction Team has invited subject matter experts (SMEs) to share challenges, accomplishments, and the processes they are using to help them address potential lead contamination and reduce any risks by using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities guidance.
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that is globally recognized as a substance that has serious health consequences if consumed, especially for children. The adverse health effects range from lowered birth weight and slowed physical and mental development in infants, to lowered IQ levels, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, and poor classroom performance in young children. Clean and safe water is essential and paramount to building a sustainable economy, successful educational and public health systems, and most importantly, a healthy and productive environment for children. Please join us for these informative conversations.

When:

January 23 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Ginny De La Cruz, Program Manager, Arizona Department of Health Services
Topic: Training – “Applying the 3TS approach in Arizona: A focus on Training”
February 13 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Holly Thompson Duffy, Environmental Health Science Manager, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
Topic: Testing – “Utilizing the EPA 3Ts to Test Drinking Water for Lead at Schools and Childcares”
March 19 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central /2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Rosalind Ground, Environmental Health Director, Seneca Nation
Topic: Taking Action – “Paths to Lead Safety: Community Champions Protecting Our Future”

Who should attend: Tribal Leaders, Health Directors, clinic staff, Tribal Utility Staff, Environmental Directors and staff, Education Administrators, and anyone in the Tribal community would like to learn about the EPA’s 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Schools and Child Care Facilities.

What:

Learn about each module of the EPA’s 3Ts from subject matter experts from across the country;
Hear about the challenges our SMEs overcame while building out a lead reduction program;
See how federal funding can be used to test drinking water for lead in schools and childcare facilities;
Gain valuable knowledge of the EPA’s 3Ts program and how it can provide long term health benefits to Tribal communities.

Registration:
Register today.

Key Speakers Information:
Ginny De La Cruz is an experienced public health professional with seven years of service at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Her work has spanned various areas, including skin cancer prevention, foodborne illness investigations, and currently, lead poisoning prevention. Ginny is the Program Manager for both the Arizona Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program for Arizona Schools and Child Care Facilities.
Holly Thompson Duffy is an Environmental Health Science Manager with the Portland Area Indian Health Board where she manages projects focused on reducing environmental health risks in the 43 member Tribal Nations it serves. In addition to providing core environmental health services, Holly manages the “Voluntary School and Childcare Lead Testing and Reduction Grant” which serves the 43 federally recognized tribes in WA, ID and OR. Prior to this she served for nine years as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the Portland Area Indian Health Service, managing an interagency agreement with the EPA to reduce the health risks of pests and pesticides by educating and empowering communities to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM). While there she also served as the technical lead on a project to collect valuable data on children’s exposures to lead, allergens, pesticides, and PCBs in Tribal childcare facilities. Holly is looking forward to sharing her experiences of environmental sampling in Tribal communities!
Rosalind Ground is a citizen of the Seneca Nation of Indians located on the Allegany Territory in western New York which is at the beginning of the Appalachian Mountains. It is about 70 miles south of Buffalo and about 10 minutes from the Pennsylvania border. She is an avid Buffalo Bills fan, Go Bills! Rosalind has 7 grown children, 25 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She received her A.S. degree from Erie County Community College in Science Laboratory Technology. She is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree from Empire State College in Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental Studies and plans on getting a master’s degree in environmental health. She has been working for the Seneca Nation Health System for about 7 years. Rosalind says, “the best reward in my job is helping the community improve their lives”.

Questions:
For more information, please contact USET’s Lead Program team:
Jakira Saunders, Program Manager
Ben Peyton, Senior Technical Assistant Specialist
