United South & Eastern Tribes

Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials
2026-02-18 00:00 - 2026-02-20 23:59 (America/Chicago) | 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.

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.

2026 NACA Policy Summit
2026-02-10 00:00 - 2026-02-12 23:59 | 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.

NCAI Executive Council Winter Session
2026-02-09 00:00 - 2026-02-12 23:59
Registration is now open for NCAI’s 2026 Executive Council Winter Session (ECWS), Indian Country’s early-year convening to set a unified agenda and advance Tribal priorities for the year ahead. This year’s ECWS will take place on February 9–12, 2026.

Each winter, Tribal leaders gather in Washington, D.C., to conduct the governing work of NCAI, engage directly with Congress and the administration, and shape national policy. ECWS is a critical moment to assert Tribal sovereignty as the foundation of federal policymaking and to strengthen nation-to-nation relationships.

Register now to attend the 2026 Executive Council Winter Session and take part in shaping Indian Country’s unified agenda for the year ahead.

Clinical Operations Technical Assistance Office Hours with James Spillane
2026-02-04 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-21 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-07 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.

Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force Meeting
2026-02-03 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-06 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.

Physical Healing through Medication Assisted Treatment
2026-01-29 11:30 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
Join us for an engaging session with the Catawba Nation as we explore how physical healing can be supported through Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), an evidence-based approach to treating addiction that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies. This session will provide a holistic perspective, grounded in traditional teachings and clinical best practices, to help participants better understand, implement, and support MAT in their Tribal Nations.

When: January 29 at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Central/12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Eastern

Who should attend: Public health officials, counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, clinicians, service providers, clinical administration staff, Tribal leaders, and others with interest.

Learning objectives:

The use of cultural practices to restore balance and support physical recovery from Opioid Use Disorder.

The principles and practices of Medication Assisted Treatment.

Common barriers to MAT access and strategies to overcome them.

Practical steps for offering MAT services effectively within diverse care settings.

Registration is open!

Questions? Contact Caro Caballero, ccaballero@usetinc.org.

Introduction to the FBI Laboratory for Indian Country
2026-01-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
This webinar presentation, led by the FBI Laboratory’s Evidence Management Unit, will cover the Unit’s laboratory discipline availability, laboratory and discipline acceptance policies, submission of evidence and laboratory procedures and supervision of the Indian country evidence program. Finally, the presenter will address what is needed from investigators to conduct forensic testing in Indian Country cases.

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.

NICWA January 2026 Training Institute
2026-01-27 00:00 - 2026-01-29 23:59
The National Indian Child Welfare Association’s (NICWA) Foundations of Tribal Child Welfare Casework Practice is designed for individuals working throughout the Tribal child welfare system. Newer advocates in this field will become familiar with the basic elements of these practices, while experienced workers can consider this a refresher and opportunity to stay up to date on best practices.

The training dives into the daily processes and duties in Tribal child welfare, covering topics such as engaging and assessing families using the Relational Worldview Model, best practices for court preparation including writing reports and providing testimony, children and family engagement, utilizing supervision for success in serving families, and basic case management unique to Tribal workers.

Native Finance Summit
2026-01-27 00:00 - 2026-01-29 23:59 | Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa, 777 W. Cherokee Street, Catoosa, OK, 74015, United States
The Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) announced its inaugural Native Finance Summit, taking place January 27–29, 2026 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This 3-day national event will bring together a powerful lineup of Tribal leaders, financial professionals, legal experts, and industry innovators who are shaping the future of Tribal economic development and finance to explore actionable solutions that strengthen Tribal economic sovereignty.
“The Native Finance Summit is a critical platform to equip Tribal Nations with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving financial environment,” said Gary Davis, Executive Director of NAFSA. “We’re broadening the conversation beyond Tribal lending to include sovereign digital finance and new economic opportunities that are aligned with the self-determined futures of Indigenous communities.”
Under the theme “Empowering Tribal Nations Through the Emerging Financial Technologies of Tomorrow & Sovereign Finance,” the Native Finance Summit 2026 will provide practical insights and tools for Tribal nations navigating today’s complex financial landscape—while also looking ahead to future pathways for growth, innovation and investment.

Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference
2026-01-26 00:00 - 2026-01-28 23:59 | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood, FL, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL, 33314, United States
January 26-28, 2026
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, FL
Conference website
The 8th Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference returns January 26–28, 2026 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL!
Join Tribal Leaders, energy experts, and sustainability champions for three days of impactful discussions, innovative solutions, and meaningful collaboration focused on Tribal energy development, renewable energy projects, and sustainability initiatives across Native communities.
Whether you’re a Tribal representative, energy professional, or sustainability advocate—this is the event you don’t want to miss!
📌 Location: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, FL
📅 Dates: January 26–28, 2026
🔔 Registration opens September 15, 2025!
Hotel Reservation link

IRS office hours: elective payment of energy credits
2026-01-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The IRS is offering office hours (through Microsoft Teams) to help entities with the pre-filing registration process on the Pre-filing Registration Tool. Pre-filing registration is a required step for applicable entities to take advantage of elective payment of certain credits. 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

August 20, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

September 17, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

October 15, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

November 19, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

December 17, 2025
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

January 21, 2026
1-2:00 p.m. Eastern time
Register

Resources:

Video: How to complete Form 990-T for elective payment election
Video: Pre-filing Registration Tool Overview
Pre-Filing Registration Tool — User Guide and Instructions, Publication 5884 PDF
Clean Energy Authorization Permission Management User Guide, Publication 5902 PDF
Elective pay and transferability frequently asked questions

The tribal community can find answers to many questions on IRS.gov/tribes. If you have a question on any tribal tax matter, please visit Contact ITG.
For the latest tribal news, connect via IRS Social Media and subscribe to this and other IRS newsletters.

Tribal Health Services Self-Determination and Self-Governance Technical Assistance Monthly Office Hours FY26
2026-01-21 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.

20th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation
2026-01-21 00:00 - 2026-01-23 23:59 | Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, Minnesota, 55372, United States
UPDATE: The 20th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation, originally scheduled for October 28 – 30, 2025 has been postponed to January 2026 due to the federal government shutdown, which has interfered with the government’s ability to ensure sufficient representation from federal agencies at the Consultation, as required by the Violence Against Women Act. We regret any difficulty this postponement causes you. Additional details will be available soon.

Please direct questions about the Consultation to OVW’s Acting Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs, Rebekah Jones, (202) 532-3287, and/or Ginger Baran Lyons, (202) 598-9445.

Dear Tribal Leader,

We are honored to invite your participation in the 20th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation to be conducted, in person, October 28-30, 2025, at the Mystic Lake Center, Prior Lake, Minnesota. The Department of Justice will be joined by other federal stakeholders, including our colleagues from the United States Departments of Health and Human Services and the Interior. We will conduct the Tribal Consultation over three full days.

Pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 20126, the purpose of the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultationis to solicit recommendations from Tribal leaders on the following four topics:

Administering Tribal funds and programs;

Enhancing the safety oflndian women from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, homicide, stalking, and sex trafficking;

Strengthening the federal response to such crimes; and

Improving access to local, regional, state, and federal crime information databases and criminal justice information systems.

A copy of the 2024 Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation Annual Report of Proceedings will be emailed to you and posted on the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) website at: www.justice.gov/ovw/tribal-consultation. OVW will also email and post any consultation framing papers and related materials along with OVW’s update report on the status of 2024 consultation recommendations. Logistical information about the Tribal Consultation and registration will be available soon at: www.ovwconsultation.org.

We look forward to seeing and hearing from you in October. If you have questions about the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation, please contact OVW’s Acting Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs, Rebekah Jones, at: Rebekah.Jones@usdoj.gov or (202) 307-6026.

Catawba River Cane Restoration and Conservation
2026-01-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
USET is hosting a webinar featuring Catawba Indian Nation’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to will share progress and lessons learned from initiatives focused on restoring culturally and ecologically significant plants, including Giant Rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea), Schweinitz’s Sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii), Georgia Aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) and Sacred Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica). Together, these efforts aim to strengthen the Nation’s stewardship of natural and cultural resources, ensuring that traditional practices can be sustained for generations to come. The webinar will provide participants with an overview of how rivercane restoration improves riparian buffers, enhances water quality, and preserves a resource long used by the Catawba people for cultural and craft traditions. It will also showcase the Nation’s work monitoring culturally significant plants, including those tied to the recovery of Schweinitz’s Sunflower, a federally endangered species in the Carolina Piedmont.

Courtney Skeldon, Wildlife & Habitat Stewardship Program Manager for the Catawba Nation, will present restoration strategies, highlight key insights from the Nation’s work, and engage with the audience in a Q&A. By integrating ecological science with cultural stewardship, the webinar will showcase how the Nation’s efforts serve as a model for community-driven conservation. Topics will include: Rivercane restoration methods, cultural importance of rivercane, restoration and monitoring of Schweinitz’s sunflower, ecological benefits of habitat restoration, and opportunities for community involvement.

When: January 20 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern

Who should attend: Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental, Cultural Staff from USET Tribal Nations and other federal Tribal Nations.

Learning objectives:

Rivercane restoration methods

Cultural importance of rivercane

Restoration and monitoring of Schweinitz’s sunflower

Ecological benefits of habitat restoration

Opportunities for community involvement

Registration is open!

Questions? Please contact David Anderson, Senior Agriculture Technical Assistance Specialist, at 828-557-5352.

DHS FLETC Tribal Law Enforcement Resource Webinar Series
2026-01-15 11:00 | Virtual Event
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, State, Local, & Tribal DivisionFY-26 Webinar Series: Tribal Law Enforcement Resources

Topic: Missing Persons & DNA Resources

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025, 10:00 am Mountain Time

TEAMS LINK

Featured Speaker: Mr. Mark Pooley, Director

Description: The Center for Human Identification (CHI) is an accredited law enforcement DNA lab and a CODIS participant. CHI works with law enforcement, medicolegal, and other criminal justice agencies as a DNA testing resource for unidentified and missing person cases. Currently, CHI has a Bureau of Justice Assistance Program which provides free DNA testing for Family Reference Samples (FRS) and Unidentified Human Remains (UHR) for missing Indigenous person cases. To date, 45 identifications have been made in Indian Country under this program.

Topic: Resources, Training, and Tools to Address Substance Misuse and Human Trafficking, National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children

Date: Wednesday: November 19, 2025, 10:00 Mountain Time

TEAMS LINK

Featured Speaker: Mr. Eric Nation, Executive Director

Description: Learn of resources available for Tribal law enforcement specific to training on the topics of early identification, human trafficking, and drug endangered children.

Topic: State & Rural Law Enforcement Executive Association (SRLEEA) Training and Resources

Date: Wednesday: December 10, 2025, 10:00 Mountain Time

TEAMS LINK

Featured Speaker: Mr. Mark Bensen, Chief of Police- Nez Perce Tribe

Description: The SRLEEA is dedicated solely to supporting and promoting law enforcement executives and agencies that serve small, rural & tribal communities across America. The organization provides resources and training to support departments in leadership, jail management, and more.

Topic: DHS Resources to Support Tribal Law Enforcement

Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026, 10:00 am Mountain Time

TEAMS LINK

Featured Speaker: Mr. David Flute, Senior Advisor- Tribal Affairs Description: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is comprised of several agencies who work with state, local, and Tribal departments and possess several resources that may interact to support Tribal law enforcement. This webinar provides an overview of various DHS agencies and specific resources for Tribal law enforcement departments related to human trafficking, search and rescue, and more.

FCC Consultation on Potential Changes to NEPA Rules
2026-01-14 12:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
By Public Notice (DA 25-1003), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announces two new dates for virtual Tribal Consultation on potential changes to the FCC’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules. The FCC has also updated the framing paper to reflect changes to key dates.

December 11, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

January 14, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

Federally-recognized Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) interested in consulting should send an email to Native@fcc.gov with a subject line indicating the date of participation, “Consultation – December 11,” or “Consultation – January 14.”

Please note that comments and meetings are also permitted at any time after the reply comment deadline, subject to the FCC’s ex parte rules for presentations on the merits or outcome of the rulemaking. Virtual Tribal Consultations may be recorded and transcribed.

Resilience Writing Retreat
2026-01-13 00:00 - 2026-01-15 23:59
The 2026 USET Resilience Writing Retreat will be hosted by the USET Community Resilience Program and Pamunkey Indian Tribe. USET member Tribal Nation staff, leaders, and citizens working on community resilience documents, such as vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans, climate action plans, and hazard mitigation plans, are invited to participate. During the 3-day event, individuals or teams from each Tribal Nation will have structured work time with facilitators and subject experts to focus on writing their community resilience document that may otherwise be hard to prioritize among day-to-day tasks. The retreat will also prioritize peer editing, reflection, presentations, and identifying areas that may require additional resources, community input, or research.

When: January 13-15, 2026, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Eastern each dayWe recommend arriving on January 12 and traveling home the evening of January 15 or on January 16.

Where: The retreat will be hosted on the sovereign territory of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe at the new Pamunkey Cultural Resources & Community Center (225 Lay Landing Rd, King William, VA). We recommend one of the following hotels:

Holiday Inn Express Richmond-Mechanicsville, 7441 Bell Creek Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111 (804) 559-0022

Hampton Inn Richmond-Mechanicsville, 7433 Bell Creek Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111 (804) 559-0559

A limited number of stipends are available to USET member Tribal Nation staff/citizens on a first-come, first-served basis to offset the costs of travel, lodging, and meals; please note your request for a travel stipend on the registration form. Stipends will be distributed after the event has concluded.

Who should attend: USET member Tribal Nation staff, leaders, and citizens working on community resilience documents, such as vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans, climate action plans, and hazard mitigation plans.

Learning objectives:

Learn strategies for tackling large writing projects.

Learn from peers and partners working in similar fields.

Make progress on resilience document drafts.

Identify information inputs still needed.

Registration is open through December 19! After registering, USET Community Resilience Staff will reach out to discuss the project you will bring to the retreat to identify facilitators or topic experts that may support your work.

Questions? Contact Bre Knudsen, USET Community Resilience Program Manager (bknudsen@usetinc.org or 629-277-1160) and/or Steph Courtney, Community Resilience Liaison (scourtney@usetinc.org).

Draft agenda at-a-glance

Tuesday, January 13

Introductions and welcome to Pamunkey lands

USET and OERM intro

Break

Overview of event agenda, structure, housekeeping, expectations

Teams set goals and intentions for the week, introduce project to facilitators

Box/Sack Lunch by Mattapony Reserve

Afternoon site visits to nearby resilience project(s) – Forest & Remediation site (Chickahominy Indian Tribe — Eastern) & Pamunkey Living Shoreline (USET Transport available)

Return to Pamunkey before 5pm

Wednesday, January 14

Greetings; field trip reflections & revisit goals

Presentations from Just Collective

Break

Structured writing time

Peer reflection and review

Lunch by Joanie Beverly (Monacan Nation)

Local VNAA pop-up market during Lunch

Presentation from Jasmine Lamb (Sipayik Resilience Committee)

Break

Structured writing time

Peer reflection and review

Thursday, January 15

Opening reflection – revisit goals from Day 1 & progress from Day 2

Structured writing time

Peer reflection and review

Break

Pottery demo by Allyson Gray

Lunch by Joanie Beverly (Monacan Nation)

Re-centering and reflection

Structured writing time

Peer reflection and review

Break

Closing reflections & evaluations

Investigating and Prosecuting Child Fatalities and Abuse Skills Seminar
2026-01-12 00:00 - 2026-01-16 23:59
This seminar is for federal and tribal prosecutors, investigators, medical and mental health providers, social workers, and child protective services workers who investigate and prosecute Indian Country fatalities, neglect, and abuse cases involving children. This training is also applicable to individuals who investigate and prosecute child fatalities, neglect, and abuse cases on military bases and other federal enclaves. This seminar will provide participants with knowledge and skills necessary to investigate and prosecute complex abuse cases involving children through presentations by national experts in medicine, forensic investigation, and prosecution. The following topics will be addressed: federal jurisdiction and mandatory reporting statutes; causes of abuse-related injuries and death; medical evidence in severe abuse and neglect; interview and interrogation; scene investigation; effective prosecution strategies; countering defense strategies; and evidence collection and documentation. This training will contain graphic videos, photographs and material that some may find disturbing. CLE will be requested.

Investigating and Prosecuting Child Fatalities and Abuse Skills Seminar; January 12-16, 2026. This meeting is being hosted by the Department of Justice’s National Indian Country Training Initiative and will be held at the National Advocacy Center (NAC) in Columbia, SC. Travel expenses, including airfare and lodging, for approved attendees, will be covered by United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Anyone interested in attending the meeting must register no later than December 8, 2025. If multiple representatives from the same tribe or organization are interested in attending the meeting, please submit a separate registration form for each individual and rank them in order of priority for acceptance. Registration for this event is limited; however, every effort will be made to accommodate all interested parties. CLE will be requested.

Registration deadline: December 8, 2025.Applicants will receive notification of their application status by December 10, 2025.

Please do not book travel and lodging until instructions are provided by DOJ.

The Executive Office for United States Attorneys will provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Requests should be made to Deborah Thomas as early as possible, preferably at least two weeks in advance of the seminar. No nominee will be excluded from a course based on a disability-related accommodations request. This training is authorized under the Government Employees Training Act. If you have any questions regarding this training, please feel free to contact Lamesha Bowman at Lamesha.Bowman@usdoj.gov or Deborah Thomas at Deborah.Thomas@usdoj.gov or Leslie A. Hagen at Leslie.Hagen3@usdoj.gov.

IHS Tribal Consultation & Urban Confer - Proposed Realignment
2026-01-08 12:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-06 15:00 - 18:00, 2025-12-17 15:00 - 18:00
Dear Tribal Leader Letter

As part of this second Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer process, the IHS will convene four (4) in-person Tribal Consultation sessions and one (1) virtual Urban Confer session to provide multiple opportunities for feedback and discussion on the proposed IHS realignment.

We invite you to register for the sessions you plan to attend using the following link: https://ihs-gov.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/0WsSdf0JRFm8dA6aTjqXdA.

Tribal Consultation No. 1 – Durant, OklahomaDate: Monday, December 15, 2025Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM CTVenue To Be Determined

Tribal Consultation No. 2 – Denver, ColoradoDate: Tuesday, December 16, 2025Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM MTVenue To Be Determined

Tribal Consultation No. 3 – San Diego, CaliforniaDate: Wednesday, December 17, 2025Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM PTVenue To Be Determined

Tribal Consultation No. 4 – Seattle, WashingtonDate: Tuesday, January 6, 2026Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM PTVenue To Be Determined

Urban Confer Session – VirtualDate: Thursday, January 8, 2026Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM ET

The comment submission deadline for both the Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer is February 9, 2026.

Please email Tribal Consultation comments to consultation@ihs.gov.

Please email Urban Confer comments to urbanconfer@ihs.gov.

Please use the SUBJECT LINE: IHS Proposed Realignment.

USET/USET SPF Holiday Break
2025-12-22 - 2025-12-26 | 123 Easy Street, Nashville, TN, 37211, United States
The USET/USET SPF offices are closed for a holiday break.

Responding to the 8a Audit – Key Updates and Compliance Challenges
2025-12-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
You are invited to join an upcoming webinar hosted by GovContractPros as part of its 2025 Small Business Webinar Series, focusing on the latest updates and compliance challenges in the Small Business Administration’s audit of the 8(a) program. The webinar will be led by the experts at GCP, and feature remarks from the National Center’s team.Date: Friday, December 19, 2025Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM ETFeatured Speakers:

Chris James, President & CEO, The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development

George Williams, Program Manager, The National Center APEX Accelerator

John Shoraka, Chairman, GovContractPros

Trevor Skelly, CEO, GovContractPros

Anna Sanders, Director of Certifications and Eligibility, GovContractPros

This is a great opportunity to gain insights from leaders in federal contracting and small business compliance during a critical time for Native contractors.

Tribal Engagement on the Proposed Rule Updated Definition of "Waters of the United States" with EPA and Army
2025-12-18 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual Event
This meeting is for U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of the Army to gather Tribal input on the proposed rule that would clarify the definition of “waters of the United States” and fully implement the SCOTUS decision in Sackett.  Participants may register below to attend the meeting and indicate if they would like to speak. Note that this meeting is reserved for Tribes, Tribal members, and their respective associations. Registration ends on December 18, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET. For questions or to arrange accommodations, email wotus-outreach@epa.gov. Accommodations will be provided if received no later than Dec. 11, 2025. This meeting will not be recorded. EPA will use your registration information solely for this meeting. We will not share your information with any third party.

Tribally Led MMRC #1 Quarterly Meeting
2025-12-17 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Starting in December, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) will convene a quarterly Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) meeting series. As the national convener, NIHB will bring together Tribal leaders, maternal health experts, Birthworkers, and community partners to share knowledge, discuss promising practices, and strengthen collaboration across funded initiatives. The series will showcase the work of organizations improving maternal mortality review processes, elevate community-centered approaches, and explore the actions, partnerships, and capacities needed to support the development of a Tribally led MMRC.

Inside the SBA's Full-Scale 8(a) Audit: What Participants Need to Know Now
2025-12-17 13:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
In early December, the SBA issued formal data and document requests to all certified 8(a) Business Development Program participants—marking the first major step in the “immediate and full-scale audit” the agency announced in June 2025. These requests are driven largely by recent online media publications attacking the 8(a) Program with allegations of purported (but as-yet unproven) widespread fraud. The scrutiny on the 8(a) Program is intensifying, and 8(a) companies could face collateral damage during and after the audit process.

Join PilieroMazza’s Matt Feinberg and Meghan Leemon for this can’t-miss webinar as they cover what this heightened scrutiny means for current and future 8(a) participants—and share a high-level overview of steps you can take now to protect your business.

Learning objectives include:

the SBA’s latest requests,

what participants should expect in the coming months, and

practical guidance for responding to audits, investigations, inquiries, and potential litigation.
