United South & Eastern Tribes

Briefing on President Biden's Budget Proposal
2023-03-09 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
Please join us on Thursday, March 9, at 4:00 PM ET, for a special edition of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Weekly Call featuring a briefing on President’s Biden’s FY2024 budget proposal.
Register here.

USET Infectious Disease ECHO
2023-03-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
We invite you and your staff to participate in the new Infectious Disease ECHO. This ECHO is merging the COVID-19 and Hepatitis C ECHOs and will focus on a different topic every month. This ECHO will also include COVID-19 and influenza updates for the USET Region. Additionally, clinical cases are encouraged to be submitted to gain insight into healthcare recommendations from other medical providers working in the field. This no-cost telehealth series will be held throughout 2023 on the second Friday of every month at 11:00 am Central/12:00 pm Eastern.
Each session will be one hour in length that will provide an opportunity for participants to:

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

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

January 20: Streptococcal Pharyngitis
February 10: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Influenza
March 10: HIV/AIDS and Women’s Reproductive Health

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.

White House Tribal Briefing on President Biden's FY 2024 Budget
2023-03-10 14:00 | Virtual Event
You are invited to join the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Office of Management and Budget for a virtual briefing on the President’s FY24 budget.
What: FY 2024 Budget Briefing
Date: Friday, March 10, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Registration Link: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Efl_vtpUToKAtSfi5O9AnQ

Center for Domestic Preparedness: Tribal Nations Training Week
2023-03-11 - 2023-03-18
The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) will host the 8th Annual Tribal Nations Training Week the week of March 11 – 18, 2023 on the CDP campus in Anniston, AL. Registration is open. CDP training is completely funded for state, local, Tribal, and territorial emergency responders to include roundtrip airfare, meals, lodging, training, and any equipment required during training. The list of classes and additional information for this training week are listed below.
All personnel who work in an emergency response capacity and are affiliated with one or more Tribal Nations, Indian Health Service (IHS) and those who work directly with Tribal Nations are authorized to attend.
Visit the CDP Website to complete the online registration. Remember your FEMA SID number and password, you will need this throughout the registration process, leading up to your attendance, and while attending training.
Should you have any questions, please contact David Hall, CDP Eastern Region and Tribal Nations Training Coordinator at David.Hall@fema.dhs.gov or 866-213-9546.

Department of Homeland Securty 8th Annual Tribal Nations Training Week
2023-03-11 - 2023-03-18
The Tribal Nations Training Week will be held March 11-18, 2023 on the CDP campus in Anniston, AL. This training is completely funded for emergency responders associated with one or more Tribal Nations, Indian Health Services and those who work directly with Tribal Nations to include roundtrip airfare, meals, lodging, training and any equipment required during training.
See the announcement for more information.

FY 2024 Budget Call with Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Mr. Bryan Newland
2023-03-13 12:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader,
Please join me for a briefing call to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the Department of Interior’s Indian Affairs, which includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration.
The briefing call will focus on the Administration’s budget plan to bolster the level of resources needed for Indian Affairs’ mission of service to Tribes and support its role in strengthening the Federal Government’s nation-to-nation relationship with Tribes as well as its treaty and trust responsibilities. The President’s Budget supports an all-of-government approach to addressing Federal responsibilities and Tribal needs in Indian Country and is committed to Tribal sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-determination.
MEETING INFORMATION
DATE: March 13, 2023, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time
FORMAT: ZoomGov or Call-In
Register in advance for this meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItce-upj0sG-URXDciysalAXdZKHigwQo
Please note that this meeting is off-the-record and not for press purposes. It is highly encouraged
to join the meeting 5 to 10 minutes early to avoid any potential technical delays.
Thank you and I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
Bryan Newland
Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs

Dear Tribal Leader Letter

HHS FY 2024 Budget Briefing
2023-03-13 13:00 | Virtual Event
Monday, March 13 at 2:00 pm
Register
Press Release | March 9, 2023 | HHS Releases President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget
Please join the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR) for a briefing on the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget announced by President Biden.
The Biden-Harris Administration today released the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The budget details a blueprint to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out, lower costs for families, protect and strengthen Medicare and Social Security, and reduce the deficit by ensuring the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share—all while ensuring no one making less than $400,000 per year pays more in taxes.
The HHS budget makes critical, targeted investments in the American people that will improve health and well-being and promote greater prosperity and economic growth for decades to come. Specifically, these investments will address urgent needs to lower drug costs, bolster public health preparedness, improve the health and well-being of children and seniors, make child care affordable, expand access to health care, increase the health care workforce, and advance research underlying medicine, public health, and social services. The proposed HHS budget includes $144.3 billion in discretionary funding and $1.7 trillion in mandatory funding for FY 2024. The proposed HHS budget also extends the solvency of Medicare’s Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund by at least 25 years without cutting benefits or provider payments.

TRIBAL ECONOMIC & TAX REFORM ADVOCACY ALLIANCE (TETRAA) STRATEGY SUMMIT
2023-03-14 - 2023-03-15 | United States
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MARCH 14-15, 2023
9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
IGA Conference Room
Agenda
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8186199235
Meeting ID: 818 619 9235
One tap mobile:
+16469313860,,8186199235# US|
+13017158592,,8186199235# US (Washington DC)
Questions:
Henry Cagey, Lummi Nation Council, at henryc@lummi-nsn.gov
Robert Odawi Porter, at rob@capitolhillpolicygroup.com

IHS Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee (TLDC)
2023-03-14 - 2023-03-15 | Virtual Event
The TLDC meets quarterly to discuss chronic disease issues and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. The TLDC meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST, and Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST. More information can be found on the IHS website.

Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC)
2023-03-14 12:00 - 15:00 | United States
The Department of the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC) will convene a public meeting from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. The Public Meeting will be held in person at the Treasury Building in Washington, DC and is open to the public.
Register here by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 10, 2023.
Agenda
Members of the public wishing to comment on the business of the TTAC are invited to submit written comments by emailing TTAC@treasury.gov. Comments are requested no later than 15 calendar days before the Public Meeting in order to be considered by the TTAC. Treasury will post all comments received on its website.
Please email TTAC@treasury.gov with questions or comments.

OMB Town Halls on OMB's Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards
2023-03-14 13:00, 2023-03-17 13:00, 2023-03-18 13:00 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Federal Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards (Working Group) are hosting three Town Halls to hear directly from the American public about the initial proposals to revise Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (SPD 15).

Town Hall 1: Tuesday, March 14 at 2pm ET
Town Hall 2: Friday, March 17 at 2pm ET
Town Hall 3: Saturday, March 18 at 2pm ET

The Town Halls will be accessible via Webex and audio through Verizon. More details will be forthcoming.
The initial proposals can be found on January 27’s Federal Register Notice Initial Proposals For Updating OMB’s Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards, which closes on April 12, 2023.

IHS National TAC on Behavioral Health Quarterly Meeting
2023-03-15 12:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
IHS National TAC on Behavioral Health Quarterly Meeting: The IHS NTAC on Behavioral Health will be holding its first quarterly meeting of 2023 on March 15 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm Eastern. The session is open to the public with participation limited to the NTAC members. Access to the meeting via Zoom will be available HERE.

Office of Indian Education Webinar: Helping Native Youth Succeed through Family and Community Engagement
2023-03-15 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
March 15 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Register
The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities (WHI TCU), along with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor, is hosting a virtual four-part dialogue series that addresses multiple topics that impact employment for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
This virtual dialogue, the second in the series, provides perspectives from Native individuals (including youth) on the values of community-driven solutions in supporting Native students with disabilities. According to the 2019 National Indian Education Study (NIES), 17% of Native American fourth and eighth graders identified as students with disabilities. In less than a decade, most of these students will matriculate into secondary and post-secondary educational and career environments. We’re all invested in the effort to support Native students with disabilities and to ensure they have access to gainful employment opportunities across all levels of the tribal, federal, state, and local workforce. Speakers from various tribal nations will explore culturally informed strategies that help address the lack of community-driven approaches that often fall short in addressing the needs of Native youth.
Event Objectives:

To gain contextual awareness of national educational statistics of fourth and eighth graders who identify as Native American students with disabilities.
To learn about the value of community-driven solutions, particularly those that center around and empower the role of Native American families caring for students with disabilities.
To cultivate a deeper understanding of community practices in order to help participants mitigate their own bias towards believing “best practices” fit all Native communities.
To increase the visibility of Native American students who have disabilities.

Previous Dialogues:
Mental Health within Native Communities: A Story of Resilience, Recovery, and Employment

FHWA Office of Tribal Transportation Webinar - Peer Exchange for Highway Safety Specialist
2023-03-15 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Date: March 15, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (Eastern Time)
Description: A panel will share their experience as a Highway Safety Specialist and the benefits the position has produced. This may inspire other Tribes to consider establishing a similar position using the Indian Highway Safety Program (IHSP) grant funding. Panelists will share what they have done for the tribe they work for.
Presenter(s):

Adam Larsen, TTP Safety Program Manager, FHWA Office of Tribal Transportation
Erica Weston, Highway Safety Specialist, Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety
HollyAnna DeCoteau Littlebull, Traffic Safety Coordinator, Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources Engineering
Matty Rams, Highway Safety Specialist, Miccosukee Police Department
Nicole Ahlem, former Traffic Safety Coordinator, Colville Confederated Tribes Department of Public Safety
Kimberly Belone, BIA Indian Highway Safety Program

Registration is not necessary. Connection information is available at https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/programs-tribal/webinars (-> nticc.us13.list-manage.com)

Webinar for The National Electric Vehicle Initiative for Tribal Nations
2023-03-15 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
You are invited to join the Economic Development, Energy, and Infrastructure Committee of the White House Council on Native American Affairs to discuss the National Electric Vehicle Initiative for Tribal Nations on Wednesday, March 15, from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern.
This meeting will provide an overview of this new initiative to ensure that Tribal Nations are part of the EV future of the country. The meeting will include an overview of the federal resources for EV development to be equitably shared and supportive of Tribal economies towards the physical buildout of a national EV network that includes Tribal lands and Native communities. This meeting will be facilitated and hosted by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals’ Tribal Clean Transportation Program.
This event is free and open to the public on Wednesday, March 15, from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm ET. You can register and attend by clicking here.

HHS Bi-Weekly Briefing on Monkeypox
2023-03-16 13:00 | Virtual Event
Date Bi-weekly on Thursdays
Time 2:00 PM EST
Zoom Link RSVP Here
Please join the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, the White House National mpox Response team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) for a mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) briefing every other Thursday at 2:00 PM EST.

virtual White House Native Women Symposium Series on Economic Development
2023-03-16 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Thursday, March 16, at 2:00 PM Eastern and Thursday March 23, at 2:00 PM Eastern
Session One: Biden-Harris Economic Development Initiatives
Date: March 16th, 2023
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM ET
Registration Link: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_hSQbhYoSQYOqYBK_fqj-ag (-> whitehouse.us10.list-manage.com)
Session Two: Native Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Date: March 23rd, 2023
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM ET
Registration Link: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_gsVq_Fm_SwKShDKl495PJg (-> whitehouse.us10.list-manage.com)
You are invited to join the virtual White House Native Women Symposium Series on Economic Development this Thursday, March 16, at 2:00 PM ET and next Thursday March 23, at 2:00 PM ET.

The economic development session will be split into two days focused on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Tribal economic development initiatives and on Native entrepreneurs and small businesses.

This is the fourth and final session of the White House Native Women Symposium Series. In 2022, the White House held three sessions covering the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, health issues (maternal health, mental health, and social determinants of health), and Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

As part of the Economic Development session, we will bring together federal officials, business leaders, Tribal leaders, and organizations to discuss economic development priorities of Tribal enterprises, Native small businesses, entrepreneurs, and spotlight critical issues facing Native women business leaders.

OMB Tribal Consultation on initial proposals from the Federal Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards
2023-03-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Topic: OMB invites Tribal leaders to consult on the initial proposals from the Federal Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards for revising OMB’s 1997 Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (SPD 15). Please see Dear Tribal Leader Letter for more details.
Date: March 16, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM-4:00 PM ET
Registration Link:
HERE
Dear Tribal Leader Letter: HERE

HHS Tribal Consultation on New Strategy for Tribal Nations to Access the Strategic National Stockpile
2023-03-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
HHS Tribal Consultation on New Strategy for Tribes to Access the Strategic National Stockpile
On January 21, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14001 on a Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain, which directs actions to secure supplies necessary for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as future public health emergencies. In response, a working group led by the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) reviewed recommendations received during Tribal Consultation in the fall of 2021 to develop the attached draft plan (Link EO 14001 pdf). As part of this new round of Tribal consultation (link DTLL), Tribal leaders are invited to a virtual consultation on March 20, 2023, at 2:00pm – 4:00pm ET. You can register HERE. Written comments can be submitted to consultation@hhs.gov by April 24, 2023.

IHS Tribal Consultation - Improving Access to Supplies from Federal Partners
2023-03-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Monday, March 20 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern
Register
On February 6, 2023, the Indian Health Service (IHS) initiated tribal consultation on Executive Order (EO) 14001 “A Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain,” to gather input and comments on draft recommendations for improving the process for federally recognized tribal governments, IHS health care providers, Tribal Health Programs, and Urban Indian Organizations. As part of this Tribal Consultation, they welcome input on the following questions:

Do the recommendations in the attached document describe processes that improve the ability of federally recognized Tribal governments, IHS providers, THPs, and Urban Indian Organizations to request and obtain timely and effective access to medical supplies held in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and other Federal stockpiles when needed during the pandemic or other future large-scale public health emergency?

Are there gaps or issues in the request processes described in the attached recommendations that must be addressed to enable federally recognized Tribal governments, IHS providers, THPs, and Urban Indian Organizations to obtain timely and effective access to medical supplies held in the SNS and other Federal stockpiles, when needed during a pandemic or other future large-scale public health emergency?

What further recommendations do you have to improve the processes through which federally recognized Tribal governments, IHS providers, THPs, and Urban Indian Organizations can request assistance to obtain timely and effective access to medical supplies held in the SNS and other Federal stockpiles, when needed during a pandemic or other future large-scale public health emergency?

Please make plans to join and share your recommendations during this virtual session and/or send written comments and recommendations to us at consultation@ihs.gov by Monday, April 24, 2023, with the Subject Line: Access to Federal Medical Supplies
Who Should Attend: Tribal Leaders, Tribal Health Administrators, Tribal Public Health Staff

Tribal Land Staff National Conference
2023-03-21 - 2023-03-23
Please join the National Tribal Land Association for the 12th Tribal Land Staff National Conference in 2023. This special gathering will be held March 21-23, 2023 at the beautiful Pechanga Resort Casino in Southern California. Don’t miss out on the many unique learning opportunities available on site, as well as the chance to network with your fellow professionals from across Indian Country. The conference theme is:
Preserving and Adapting in the 21st Century
The conference will include more than two dozen sessions that will highlight this year’s theme. Conference sessions always invoke great discussions for participants, and offer a high-quality learning experience. Sessions will include such topics as:

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Economic development
Land appraisals
Agriculture
HEARTH Act
Broadband
Much more

The Tribal Land Staff National Conference is the premier education and networking event for tribal land professionals from across Indian Country. Register now for this special event.
Visit www.ntla.info for more information on the conference and to register.

Southeast Tribal Emergency Management Planning Workshop
2023-03-21 - 2023-03-23 | Hampton Inn Clewiston, 305 W Sugarland Highway, Clewiston, FL, 33440, United States
Southeast Tribal Emergency Management Planning Workshop
presented by
United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) Office of Environmental Resource Management (OERM) and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

What: USET would like to invite you and your staff to attend the Southeast Tribal Emergency Management Planning Workshop. The USET Climate Change Program and the USDA APHIS have partnered up to offer a regionally focused workshop that will introduce federally recognized Tribal Nations to USDA APHIS programs and opportunities. The workshop will focus on presentations and regional Tribal case study examples related to Emergency Response Planning Documents (ERPs). APHIS subject matter experts will also utilize interactive learning sessions to discuss regionally prioritized issues and concerns of animal and plant health.
USET will follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tribal, federal, and state public health guidelines and updates regarding COVID-19. In order to ensure the safety of Tribal Nation citizens, our staff, and our partners we will monitor the transmission rates for the county of the event and make virtual participation accommodations upon request.

When:

March 20: Recommended travel day
March 21: Workshop from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern
March 22: Workshop from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern
March 23: Workshop from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern, optional travel home in the evening
March 24: Recommended travel day

Where: Hampton Inn, Clewiston, 305 W Sugarland Hwy, Clewiston, FL 33440
Upon registration, USET will provide your name to the Hampton Inn to reserve your room. When checking into the hotel, participants must provide an ID and a credit card for incidentals.
USET will cover hotel and room tax for USET Tribal Leaders, Tribal citizens, and staff of USET Tribal Nations/Tribal organizations on a first come-first served basis. Participants are responsible for incidental charges, per diem, and travel costs to and from the event.
Recommended Airports:

Palm Beach International Airport: 62 miles/~1.25 hours to the Hampton Inn-Clewiston, FL
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport: 78 miles/~1.25 hours to the Hampton Inn-Clewiston, FL
Fort Myers International Airport: 70 miles/~1.25 hours to the Hampton Inn-Clewiston

Who should attend?

Tribal agricultural, natural resources, and environmental professionals.
Tribal emergency response teams.

Space is limited, and priority will be given to USET member Tribal Nations.

Draft Agenda

Participants will:

Learn about APHIS programs and funding opportunities for your Tribal Nation
Take part in APHIS training sessions related to emergency response planning
Learn about the 2018 Farm Bill funding opportunities and the application process
Engage in Q&A sessions with APHIS representatives on the above mentioned items

Registration is limited so register today!.

COVID Protocols (as of 9/15/2022, subject to change):
The USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (USET TEC) is a recognized public health authority supported by the Tribal Nations within the USET region. Throughout the course of the COVID pandemic, we have relied on their expertise to guide us to ensure for the overall safety, health, and wellness for our members, staff, and event attendees. As the impacts of COVID have evolved, we have continued to assess our protocols to ensure that they remain reflective of the current status of the pandemic. Today, we are announcing the following updates to the USET sponsored meeting COVID protocols:
USET/USET SPF Sponsored Meetings

Up to date* vaccinated attendees will not be required to mask and can fully engage without restrictions. Vaccinated attendees will provide proof of up-to-date status via self-attestation. Daily testing is strongly encouraged.
Unvaccinated attendees, or attendees not up to date, will be allowed to attend, but will be required to:

Wear a KN-95 or N-95 mask, or
Test negative within 24 hours of the event AND also test negative daily, if the meeting is for extended days

As part of our public heath authority responsibilities, we will continue to provide education, offer PPE, rapid tests, and continue to strongly encourage best practices. Additionally, for USET/USET SPF meetings hosted by member Tribal Nations, we will continue to comply with the COVID protocols that each set for their respective nation. While these protocols have changed to better reflect the current state of the pandemic, updated booster shots, and availability of treatments options, the USET TEC strongly recommends ongoing caution due to the health disparities that exist across Indian Country.
*Please note that up-to-date means that the primary series has been received and any current boosters (if eligible and/or available) have been administered.

Questions?
For questions related to this event, please contact either Tyler Everett, USET OERM Forest Adaptation Technical Assistant, or Casey Thornbrugh, USET OERM NE & SE Tribal Climate Science Liaison.

DOS, DOI, EPA Virtual Listening Session on Indigenous Peoples Conservation Advisory Network
2023-03-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
More information about the Indigenous Peoples Conservation Advisory Network
March 21 at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Zoom link
March 22 at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Zoom link
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, working with the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will hold virtual listening sessions for the creation of an Indigenous Peoples Conservation Advisory Network {IP-CAN) on Tuesday, March 21 from 3:00-5:00 pm EDT and Wednesday, March 22 from 3:00-5:00pm EDT. The objective of IP-CAN is to support the leadership of Indigenous Peoples in their conservation, restoration, and sustainable management efforts in terrestrial (including inland waters), coastal, and ocean ecosystems. They intend this to be a global consultation that is Indigenous-led and responsive to input.
The triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are having a profound impact on Indigenous Peoples world-wide. As stewards of much of the world’s natural resources, the participation, empowerment, and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide are critical to global efforts to address these crises. Indigenous knowledge, customary practices, and traditions have a key role to play in designing solutions, and must be respected, valued, and protected. The United States seeks to play a leadership role in promoting the rights and empowerment of Indigenous Peoples’ world-wide. The U.S. Department of State along with their interagency partners are proposing a global Indigenous Peoples Conservation Advisory Network that will support Indigenous Peoples as critical partners in addressing these global challenges. They are seeking input and perspectives from U.S. Tribal leaders to inform development of IP-CAN prior to our international consultations.
You are invited to participate in a virtual listening session on March 21, 2023 or March 22, 2023. Please send any questions to tribalconsultation@state.gov. March 22 will be open to Tribal Organizations, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian communities. Listening sessions will be recorded.
Proposed questions:
1) What are the global challenges and opportunities for conservation facing Indigenous Peoples, from your perspective?
2) What are the programs, policies, or activities that should accompany setting 30×30 targets so that achieving these targets will help advance Indigenous-led conservation?
3) How best can the Biden Administration develop co-stewardship agreements with your tribes/tribal communities to advance Indigenous-led conservation and restoration efforts, as aligned with the America the Beautiful goals and principles and other Administration directives?
4) How should a global advisory network on Indigenous-led conservation and the 30×30 target be structured and implemented to make it useful and effective?
5) Do you engage on these topics with Indigenous communities in other countries through any existing networks? Would a global advisory network be redundant with those existing networks, or could it be leveraged to improve coordination across them?
6) Where do you see opportunities to integrate Indigenous Knowledge into Federal conservation efforts and what are challenges to achieving this integration?

Tribal Consultation on draft HHS Tribal Consultation Policy
2023-03-22 | United States
Tribal Consultation Policy DTLL
HHS Tribal Consultation Policy REDLINE
HHS Tribal Consultation Policy CLEAN

On January 26, 2021, President Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening the Nation-to-Nation Relationships that requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit a detailed plan for implementing Executive Order 13175,
which charges all executive departments and agencies to engage in regular, meaningful, and robust consultation with tribal officials In the development of federal policies that have Tribal implications. In response, HHS initiated Tribal Consultation, holding six virtual regional Tribal
Consultations:

HHS Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4 on March 22, 2021
HHS Region 5 on March 22, 2021
HHS Region 7 and 8 on March 23, 2021
HHS Region 6 on March 24, 2021
HHS Region 9 on March 24, 2021
HHS Region 10 on March 25, 2021

HHS also received over fifty written comments and recommendations to update the current HHS Tribal Consultation Policy. HHS takes its responsibility to consult with tribal governments seriously and has been working in partnership with tribal leaders on the Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) to incorporate tribal recommendations into an updated HHS Tribal Consultation Policy. Enclosed you will find: a redline version that demonstrates all proposed changes, and a clean version that incorporates all proposed changes into a draft version of the Tribal Consultation Policy.

CMS Webinar | Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding: What to Know and How to Prepare Partner Education
2023-03-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
March 22, 2023 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Eastern
RSVP (Zoom link will be provided following registration)
Join the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the March 22nd Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Continuous Enrollment Unwinding: What to Know and How to Prepare partner education webinar. Topics discussed during this month’s webinar will include:

A review of recently released CMS Unwinding resources to help partners with their outreach efforts
An extended Q&A session with CMS experts to address questions related to Medicaid renewals and terminations, Medicaid to Marketplace transitions, Medicaid to Medicare transitions, communication and outreach strategies, and more

ezFedGrant (eFG) for Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) webinar series
2023-03-22 12:00 | Virtual Event
USDAs’ Animal Plant Health Inspections Service (APHIS) has provided funding opportunities for Tribal Nations, Tribal Organizations, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Most of the funding opportunities are made available through the ezFedGrant (eFG) system. The system is sometimes hard to navigate and may not seem user-friendly. The Office of National Tribal Liaison would like to formally invite you to ezFedGrant (eFG) for Tribal Nations, Tribal Organizations, and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) webinar series. The series is broken down into four modules:

Module 1 – Introduction to ezFedGrant: March 22 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Module 2 – Accessing ezFedGrant: March 29 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Module 3 – What happens after selection and award: April 12 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Module 4 – Amendments, closeouts, and recap: April 19 at 1:00 pm Eastern

ONTL is providing this opportunity so tribes can learn how to access and navigate the system, so Tribes can be better equipped to apply for funding opportunities through APHIS. Below you will find the registration link and webinar link.
Registration Link
Web Join URL
Meeting ID: 161 031 6583
Meeting Password: *$Q37ZKk
Dial-in information: 669-254-5252 | 646-828-7666
Contact information: Denise.Salvetti@usda.gov

Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States” (2023 Rule)
2023-03-22 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Partners,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) published the final “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’” rule in the Federal Register on January 18, 2023; the rule will become effective on March 20, 2023. The agencies developed this rule with consideration of the relevant provisions of the Clean Water Act and the statute as a whole, relevant Supreme Court case law, and the agencies’ technical expertise after more than 45 years of implementing the longstanding pre-2015 “waters of the United States” framework. This rule also considers the best available science and extensive public comment to establish a definition of “waters of the United States” that supports public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth.
EPA and Army are hosting a series of webinars in March and April specifically for Tribes and States to learn about the final rule and implementation considerations. The agencies will first present an overview webinar and will then present three additional webinars on topics of specific interest to Tribes and States. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions before each topical webinar, and the agencies will use those questions to inform development of the presentations.
All webinars will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. ET and include time for questions and answers. Please submit questions in advance to wotus-outreach@epa.gov. Questions must be received at least one week in advance of the webinar to be considered.
Tribal and State officials can register for individual webinars listed below. Participants should register with their Tribal or State email address, if available, so that EPA can ensure attendance is limited to participants from Tribal and State government agencies and member organizations. The webinars, but not the Q&A sessions, will be recorded and posted to EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/wotus.
Please reach out to epa@horsleywitten.com with logistical questions about these webinars or to arrange for accommodations (e.g., sign language interpreters or translation). Accommodations will be provided if received no later than a week prior to each webinar.

Rule Overview

March 22, 2023, 2-3:30 p.m. ET
To register: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN__Qj6hC1ETQ-o6UyTEyGiTw
This webinar provides an overview of the final rule “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States.’”

Relatively Permanent Standard

March 30, 2023, 2-3:30 p.m. ET
To register: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_kIqGLuAiTa-3xFFxzWBB3g
This webinar focuses on the relatively permanent standard for determining the jurisdictional status of certain waters.

Significant Nexus Standard

April 5, 2023, 2-3:30 p.m. ET
To register: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_SozIFw5rSResY36LyuEOAw
This webinar focuses on the significant nexus standard for determining the jurisdictional status of certain waters.

Exclusions and Other Topics

April 12, 2023, 2-3:30 p.m. ET
To register: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_iUDO7OfWTteFRh7oD5XL_A
This webinar discusses the rule’s eight categories of exclusions (waters and features that are not “waters of the United States”) and will include time for discussion of any topics not otherwise addressed in the webinar series.

bi-weekly White House Health Community Engagement Call
2023-03-22 13:30 | Virtual Event
Bi-Weekly on Wednesdays at 2:30 pm Eastern
Register.
