HHS and NIH Tribal Consultation on "All of Us Research Hub"
2023-09-28 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
Announcement
September 28 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
Written Tribal testimony is due by October 28, 2023.
The consultation will include an update on our approach to Tribal engagement, discussion about integrating data from self-identified AI/AN participants in the program’s data platform, the All of Us Research Hub at https://www.researchallofus.org, and program planning.

NCUIH: Utilizing Culture in Grant Writing and Programming
2023-09-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
September 28 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
Discover the path to grant success with Shane Lopez-Johnston! Join us for an enlightening session with Shane Lopez-Johnston (Tolowa), the prevention and special projects director at the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest. In this captivating virtual event, you’ll gain valuable insights into grant writing strategies tailored for urban Indian programs, strategic planning to define grant funding scope and goals, and master best practices for grant reporting, data tracking/evaluation, and budgeting. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to empower your community and elevate your grant game!

Tribal Leader Consultation on Native Language
2023-09-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader:
The federal inter-agency Education Committee of the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) is releasing a draft 10-year National Plan on Native Language Revitalization (National Plan)—and your input is needed. In September, the Education Committee will host a number of events to gather input from Tribal leaders and other Tribal experts about:

How can the federal government work with Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations, Tribal and non-profit organizations, states, schools, higher education institutions, and the private sector to raise national awareness about the importance of Native languages for Tribes and the country?
What can the federal government do to create national awareness of the current crisis of Native language loss and establish a sense of urgency for immediate national action?
How important to a National Plan is a formal policy recognition of the historic role that the federal government played in Native language erasure?

What should the content and nature of a formal policy recognition be?
How could a formal policy recognition help secure federal resources and support for Native language revitalization?

How could the National Plan support the integration of Native language revitalization into mainstream society, e.g., school curriculum, immersive learning, early and adult education, federal and state policies, signage, etc.?
How could the National Plan stimulate and facilitate access to financial support for Native language revitalization (including federal, state, and philanthropic funding)?

The National Plan will establish a long-term, all-of-government strategy that works with Tribal Nations and, as appropriate, nonprofit organizations, subject matter experts, and other entities for the revitalization, protection, preservation, and reclamation of Native languages. Attached for your review and comment is a summary of research that may inform the development of the National Plan.
Dates and registration information:

Monday, September 18, 3–5 p.m. ET Registration Link
Wednesday, September 20, 1–3 p.m. ET Registration Link
Tuesday, September 26, 3–5 p.m. ET Registration Link
Thursday, September 28, 2–4 p.m. ET Registration Link

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to join the meeting. If you want to provide written input, please email your comments to NativeLanguage@kauffmaninc.com no later than September 29, 11:59 p.m. ET.
If you have any questions regarding the tribal consultation, contact the WHCNAA via whcnaa@bia.gov.
Sincerely,
Anthony Morgan Rodman
Executive Director
White House Council on Native American Affairs

WHCNAA Tribal Consultations on Native Language Revitalization
2023-09-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
The federal interagency Education Committee of the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) is releasing a draft 10-year National Plan on Native Language Revitalization and seeking input. The National Plan will establish a long-term, all-of-government strategy that works with Tribal Nations and, as appropriate, nonprofit organizations, subject matter experts, and other entities for the revitalization, protection, preservation, and reclamation of Native languages. A summary of research for the program can be viewed here. The upcoming consultation sessions will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm ET (register here) and on Thursday, September 28, 2023 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm ET (register here).

White House Call: How a Government Shutdown Could Impact Your Community
2023-09-28 13:30 | Virtual Event
September 28 at 2:30 pm Eastern
Register via Zoom
Join for a briefing hosted by Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Public Engagement Steve Benjamin, with special guest Senior Advisor to the President Anita Dunn, on how a government shutdown could impact your community.

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Round 2 Webinar: Mapping Requirements
2023-09-28 14:00 | Virtual Event
September 7 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
September 28 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
The second round of funding for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) will make approximately $980 million available on Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian lands for deployment of Internet infrastructure, affordability programs, telehealth and distance learning initiatives. Join the NTIA Tribal Broadband Connectivity and Nation-to-Nation Coordination Division to learn more about key differences in mapping requirements for the TBCP Round 2 and examples of network mapping. In addition, we’ll be joined by our colleagues from the Federal Communications Commission and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Branch of Geospatial Services who will provide information on available mapping tools and resources for TBCP Round 2 applicants.
Please note that if you cannot attend this webinar, they will hold a rerun webinar held on Thursday, September 28. Although the PowerPoint presentation will be the same, we will still have a live, moderated Q&A portion where you can ask questions.
To learn more about TBCP Round 2 and view the recent webinar post-event materials: https://internetforall.gov/program/tribal-broadband-connectivity-program/notice-funding-opportunity-2
To download the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): https://ntia.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/ntia-tbcp-round2-nofo.pdf
If you would like to request an accommodation to participate in this webinar, please email your request to InternetForAll@ntia.gov. A NTIA staff member will follow up with you shortly regarding your request.

Administration for Community Living | Listening Brief and Tribal Consultation on Older Americans Act
2023-09-28 14:00 | Virtual Event
ACL Listening Brief: September 28, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84649807692 (-> urldefense.proofpoint.com)
Meeting ID: 846 4980 7692
One tap mobile:
+13017158592,,84649807692# US (Washington DC)
+16465588656,,84649807692# US (New York)
ACL Tribal Consultation: October 12, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. ET
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86316781916 (-> urldefense.proofpoint.com)
Meeting ID: 863 1678 1916
Or One tap mobile:
+13017158592,,86316781916# US (Washington DC)
+16469313860,,86316781916# US
There is a tight turnaround for notice of consultation on the OAA that resulted in large part due to ACL/AoA’s surprise around the Tribal response digging into Title VII (Adult Protection Services) as well as other aspects of the OAA.
The main targets remain the same:

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

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

Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Indian Health Service: Flu, RSV, COVID
2023-09-28 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
September 28 at 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Register
Ask Me Anything is a question-and-answer session between the Indian Health Service (IHS), all levels of public health, and American Indian and Alaska Native community members. Experts from IHS will provide an update on the latest vaccine ordering processes and resources available to help facilitate vaccination. This webinar is free of charge and is open to anyone who would like to participate.
Learning Objectives:

Discuss the guidelines and regulations for co-vaccination.
Share forecasts on vaccine development.
Discuss the likelihood of possible co-circulation of influenza viruses, SARS-COV-2, and RSV.

If you have any questions, please contact Audrianna Marzette, Public Health Policy and Programs Manager, at amarzette@nihb.org.

BIA Tribal Consultation re: Tribal land acquisition funded through LWCF
2023-09-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Proposed Criteria
September 26 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
September 27 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
September 28 at 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Eastern
Register
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) invites you to participate in formal Government-to-Government consultation regarding Tribal land acquisition funded through the Land and Water Consultation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF was established by Congress in 1965 to help preserve, develop, and ensure access to outdoor recreation resources. The Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, P.L. 116-152, authorized $900 million annually in permanent funding for LWCF.
They welcome your written comments, which should be submitted by email to consultation@bia.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 5, 2023. If you have any
questions, please contact Trina Locke, Acting Deputy Bureau Director, Trust Services, at trina.locke@bia.gov, or Lorna Babby, Division Chief, Trust Land Consolidation, at
lorna.babby@bia.gov.

Treasury and Department of Energy Webinar on Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program
2023-09-29 12:00 | Virtual Event
September 29 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Register via Zoom
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Energy, and the Internal Revenue Service announced that applications for the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program under Section 48(e) of the Internal Revenue Code will open at 9 am ET on October 19, 2023. The program will spur clean energy investments in underserved communities by providing a 10 or 20-percentage point tax credit boost for solar and wind projects in low-income and Tribal communities.
Treasury and the Department of Energy will be launching the program help desk and hosting a webinar for all stakeholders with details about the application materials and process on September 29, 2023 at 1pm ET. The webinar recording will be made available online after the event for those who cannot attend.

Register for the September 29th webinar: Webinar Registration – Zoom

Materials, including the final regulations, to help applicants prepare their submissions are available on the Department of Energy landing page: Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program. This page will be updated with additional resources over the coming weeks so please continue to check back for updates.

USTR Tribal Consultation
2023-09-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
September 28 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
Registration link
September 29 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
Registration link
Please register with USTR by Friday, September 22, 2023, using either or both of the above links. We also welcome your written comments, which should be submitted by email to
TribalConsultation@ustr.eop.gov by 5:00 pm (EST) on Friday, October 13, 2023.

FCC's Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination Listening Session
2023-09-29 12:00 - 14:30 | 123 Easy Street, Nashville, TN, 37211, United States
September 29 at 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Medgar Evers College
Academic Complex Building AB1
Edison O. Jackson Auditorium
1638 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
On Friday, September 29, 2023, the FCC’s Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination will host a listening session in New York City to gain additional information and understanding from affected communities, state, local, and Tribal governments, public interest advocates, and providers about challenges, barriers and experiences in ensuring all people of the United States benefit from equal access to broadband. The purpose of the listening session is to continue the Commission’s outreach in support of its ongoing efforts to promote equal access to broadband for everyone.
The listening session will take place from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT, at the Medgar Evers College, Academic Complex Building AB1, Edison O. Jackson Auditorium, 1638 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225. The program agenda will include presentations from the Task Force, local leaders and other stakeholders, and will include an opportunity for members of the public to share their broadband access experiences in furtherance of the Commission’s goals to create a framework for addressing digital discrimination. The listening session will be recorded and archived on the FCC’s website.
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Requests for accommodations should be submitted via e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or by calling the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice). Such requests should include a detailed description of the accommodation needed. In addition, please include a way for the FCC to contact the requester if more information is needed to fill the request. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to accommodate.
Additional information about the listening sessions and the Task Force’s work can be found at: https://www.fcc.gov/task-force-prevent-digital-discrimination. To contact or request a meeting with the Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination, email PreventDigitalDiscrimination@fcc.gov. If you have any other questions, please contact us at native@fcc.gov.

USDA Forest Service Virtual Office Hours for Prospective Applicants
2023-09-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
September 29 and October 13 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern
Join the USDA Forest Service for two virtual office hours opportunities on September 29 and October 13, 2023 for prospective applicants to ask questions about the Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support Funding Opportunity.
JOIN OFFICE HOURS: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Forest Service staff will be available to answer questions regarding allowable costs, eligibility criteria, and other information from the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
No RSVP is required for participation.
Emerging climate markets are creating economic incentives to keep forests healthy and productive through reforestation, thinning overgrown forests, and more. However, high acreage requirements and prohibitive start-up costs have caused many small-acreage and underserved private forest owners to be left behind. These investments will expand access to markets that were previously out-of-reach, allowing underserved and small-acreage forest landowners to be a larger part of the climate solution while also supporting rural economies and healthy forests.
See the Forest Service news releases and the Forest Landowner Assistance webpage for details.

White House Tribal Briefing on Potential Government Shutdown
2023-09-29 14:30 | Virtual Event
You are invited to join Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Perez for a briefing on a potential government shutdown. Please see below for details.
Date: Friday 9/29/23
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Registration Link

BIA Tribal Leader Call - Potential October 2023 Lapse in Appropriations
2023-09-29 15:00 | Virtual Event
Please join Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland and Indian Affairs bureau directors for a short Tribal leader call regarding this planning. Indian Affairs leadership will discuss the implications of the potential lapse in appropriations for Indian Affairs programs and services.
MEETING INFORMATION:
DATE: September 29, 2023, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time
FORMAT: Register for the Zoom meeting or join by telephone at (669) 254 5252; Meeting ID: 160 068 6801; Passcode: [REDACTED]
Please note that this meeting is for Tribal leaders, or their official designee, and 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.

DOI Tribal Consultation: CSC calculation and distribution process
2023-10-01 12:00 - 15:00, 2023-10-05 13:00 - 16:00
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
October 1 at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Mountain: Listening Session
2023 NAFOA Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass
5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85226
October 5 at 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern: Virtual Consultation with Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland
Register
November 1 at 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern: Tribal Consultation
US Department of Labor, Indian and Native American Programs
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 166/477
Western Regional Training
Pechanga Resort Casino
45000 Pechanga Pkwy.
Temecula, CA 92592
November 29 at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Alaska: Tribal Consultation
BIA Providers Conference Dena’ina Center
600 W 7th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
The Policy is available at this link.
Indian Affairs would like to determine how to compensate Self Governance Tribes for CSC, when they
are NOT required to submit budgets, yet certain data is necessary to calculate the amount of CSC due
to the Tribe annually.

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

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

NAFOA's 2023 Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference
2023-10-02 - 2023-10-03 | Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, 5594 W Wild Horse Pass, Phoenix, AZ, 85226, United States
Registration is officially open for NAFOA’s 2023 Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference to be held October 2-3, 2023 at The Sheraton Grand Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, AZ.
The conference brings Tribal, state, federal, and industry partners together in one educational forum to discuss important economic issues facing Indian Country. Register today to take advantage of great networking and informative educational sessions.
Conference links:

Register Online
Member Tribe Registration Form
General Registration Form
CPE FAQs
Hotel & Travel Information
Sponsorship Opportunities

25th Annual American Indian Tourism Conference
2023-10-02 - 2023-10-05 | Choctaw Casino and Resort – Durant, 4216 S. Hwy 69/75, Durant, OK, 74701
October 2-5, 2023
Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant
hosted by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant
4216 S. Hwy 69/75
Durant, OK 74701
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
The Annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC), now in celebrating its 25th anniversary, is the only national conference dedicated to growing tourism in America’s Native American communities.
Every year the conference attracts more than 300 attendees, who attend for the networking opportunities, the high-level keynote sessions and the informative breakout sessions led by some of the leading hospitality industry experts. At their first-ever virtual conference we had 800 registrants.
Learn more and register today.

2023 In-Person BNC Financial Skills for Families Training
2023-10-03 - 2023-10-05 | Hilton Garden Inn Bangor, Maine, 250 Haskell Rd., Bangor, ME, 04401, United States
2023 In-Person BNC Financial Skills for Families Training
October 3-5, 2023
Hilton Garden Inn
Bangor, Maine
Register
Oweesta Corporation is excited to host an upcoming 5th Edition Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families Train-the-Trainer, in collaboration with the Wells Fargo Foundation, from October 3-5, 2023, in Bangor, Maine. This three-day, in-person instructor training and certification program will help Native CDFIs, Tribal Nations, and other Native organizations establish and sustain financial education programs in their communities.
Over the course of three days, we will cover:

Effective financial education training techniques and resources
An in-depth look at the Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families 5th Edition curriculum

Early and quality applications will be prioritized, so please register early and fully complete the registration application.
This event is free thanks to the generous support of Wells Fargo Foundation.
Certification:
Upon completion of the training, participants will be prepared to successfully pass the Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families 5th Edition certification exam, becoming BNC certified financial education trainers. Participants must attend and complete all days of training, participate in an oral presentation, and pass the exam to be certified as an instructor.

NCUIH UIO Focus Groups: Setting Policy Priorities for 2024
2023-10-03 - 2023-10-05 | Virtual Event
October 3-5, 2023
Register
NCUIH is excited to announce their upcoming virtual web series, “NCUIH UIO Focus Groups: Setting Policy Priorities for 2024.” This engaging event will offer a unique platform for collaborative dialogue between NCUIH staff and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). Together, we will delve into the heart of urban Native health initiatives, discussing the vital priorities shaping our efforts in 2024. The focus groups will also provide an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the achievements and challenges of 2023, fostering a deeper understanding of the progress made and the areas that require further attention. Participants will be encouraged to share their personal experiences, insights, and feedback, ensuring that the perspectives of our UIO partners play a pivotal role in shaping the path forward. This inclusive gathering promises to harness the collective wisdom of our community, driving impactful decisions that resonate across urban Indian health initiatives.
October 3, 2023:

Full Ambulatory​ | 1:00-2:30 p.m. EDT​
Outpatient and Residential​ | 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT​

October 4, 2023:

Limited Ambulatory​ | 1:00-2:30 p.m. EDT
Outreach and Referral​ | 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT​

October 5, 2023:

Makeup Session​ | 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT

NCUIH UIO Focus Groups: Setting Policy Priorities for 2024
2023-10-03 - 2023-10-05 | Virtual Event
October 3-5, 2023
Register
We are excited to announce our upcoming virtual web series, “NCUIH UIO Focus Groups: Setting Policy Priorities for 2024.” This engaging event will offer a unique platform for collaborative dialogue between NCUIH staff and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). Together, we will delve into the heart of urban Native health initiatives, discussing the vital priorities shaping our efforts in 2024. The focus groups will also provide an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the achievements and challenges of 2023, fostering a deeper understanding of the progress made and the areas that require further attention. Participants will be encouraged to share their personal experiences, insights, and feedback, ensuring that the perspectives of our UIO partners play a pivotal role in shaping the path forward. This inclusive gathering promises to harness the collective wisdom of our community, driving impactful decisions that resonate across urban Indian health initiatives.

Annual Cherokee Indian Fair
2023-10-03 - 2023-10-07
111th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair
October 3 – 7
This year’s theme, “They Made The Way,” honors the profound contributions of Cherokee individuals, both historical and contemporary, who have played pivotal roles in shaping the vibrant culture of the community.
The fair will be held at the historic Cherokee Expo Center, the old Cherokee High School Site, located at 1501 Acquoni Rd., Cherokee, N.C. This cherished venue holds deep cultural and nostalgic significance, serving as an ideal backdrop for an event that pays homage to the rich heritage and traditions of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
**Fairgrounds Reference Note: Throughout this press release, the term “Fairgrounds” will refer to the Old High School site.**
Fair Week Schedule (Full event detail schedule forthcoming):

Monday – Fair Week Stick Off

Time: 4 p.m.
Event: Immerse yourself in the excitement of traditional stickball games at Unity Field, as skilled teams compete, showcasing athleticism and strategy. No carnival rides, just stickball.

Tuesday – Parade Day

Parade Start: 4 p.m.
Parade Route: Join the spectacle of the Annual Cherokee Indian Fair Parade, featuring vibrant floats, marching bands, and beautiful smiling faces. The parade lineup will take place in the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino lower parking area. The parade will start from the Casino Trail/intersection, taking a right onto 19 South through downtown Cherokee, crossing the bridge turning right onto 441 North and ending at the traffic light by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. The parade will then turn right across the bridge, taking the roundabout up toward the Ginger Lynn Complex to disband. Vehicles will disband to the left in GLW parking, and all floats will disband taking the route behind the Ginger Welch Complex. For more information, reach out to Josie Long at the Cherokee Welcome Center.
Gates Open: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Event: Fairgrounds are open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., offering attractions, food vendors, and entertainment. Main Stage events begin at 7 p.m.

Wednesday – Children’s Day

Gates Open: 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Event: A day brimming with joy for children, youth, and adults, featuring stickball games, games, and activities catering to all ages. Wristbands for minors beginning at 10:00am.

Thursday – Elder’s Day

Gates: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Events: Commence the day with a captivating fashion show, spotlighting both traditional and contemporary Cherokee fashion at 2 p.m. Witness the experience and wisdom of elders and adults as they compete in stickball games, celebrating their rich journey.

Friday – Veterans Day

Gates: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Event: Express heartfelt gratitude to our veterans. The fairgrounds stand as a platform to honor their sacrifices, offering a day of appreciation and fostering community unity.

Saturday – Community Day

Gates: 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Event: Embrace the spirit of togetherness through community-led games, spirited stickball matches, and shared festivities. This celebration of unity will continue until midnight, forging lasting bonds.

Highlighting the Fair: The 111th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair promises five days of excitement and engaging activities that will create lasting memories for visitors of all ages. From traditional stickball games and captivating competitions to authentic crafts, delectable food vendors, exhilarating rides, and games. The fair offers a diverse range of experiences for everyone.
Entertainment: The entertainment lineup for Saturday, Oct. 7 features two iconic performances:

The Romantics: Rock out to the legendary American rock band with hits like “What I Like About You” and “Talking in Your Sleep.” Their electrifying performance starts at 8 pm.
Starship: Enjoy the melodic sounds of this renowned American rock band, known for chart-toppers like “We Built This City” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” They take the stage at 9 pm.

Admission and Tickets:

Tuesday through Friday: General Admission is $10 per day.
Saturday: General Admission is $20.
Free Admission: Enrolled members of federally recognized tribes can show their enrollment card at the gate for complimentary entry.

Exhibit Hall Information:

Exhibit Entry Date: Friday, Sept. 29 at the Yellowhill Activity Center from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Community Fair Booth Set Up: Saturday, Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Judging: Monday, Oct. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Exhibit Hall opens to the public on Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Exhibit Hall is open to the public Wednesday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Exhibit Pick-Up: Sunday, Oct. 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Baked Goods and Livestock judging will not be held at the Yellowhill Activity Center but at the EBCI Cooperative Extension Center. Baked Goods will be judged on Monday, Oct. 2 at the Extension Center. Baked items will be received at the Extension Center from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be no items accepted after 12 p.m. Pick up Baked Goods and/or containers from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Extension Center on the same day. Judging Dates: Livestock will be judged on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the EBCI Cooperative Extension Center. Entries must be at the Center at 9 a.m. Judging is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Please reach out for further details:
Contacts for Exhibit Hall:

Extension Center: Tammy Jackson, (828) 788-0878; Chumper Walker, (828) 788-2356
Qualla Arts & Crafts: Vicki Cruz, (828) 226-4275

For more information and updates on event details, please visit the official event website: https://cherokeespecialevents.com/calendar/event/cherokee-indian-fair1/
Cherokee Welch Center (828) 359-6490, josilong@ebci-nsn.gov
Lisa Frady (828) 788-1708, lisafrad@ebci-nsn.gov
Frieda Huskey (828) 269-7095, friehusk@ebci-nsn.gov

NOAA Consultation on Tribal Co-Stewardship
2023-10-03 12:00 | Virtual Event
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is hosting three virtual consultation and engagement sessions on advancing co-stewardship as outlined in Joint Secretarial Order 3403. The purpose of JSO 3403 is to ensure federal lands and waters are managed in a manner that protects the treaty, religious, subsistence, and cultural interests of federally recognized Indian tribes with an emphasis on co-stewardship. The first session will be held on October 3, 2023 at 1:00 pm ET (register here) and the second will be held on October 13 at 3:00 pm ET (register) and the third will be held on October 17, 2023 at 32:00 pm ET (register here).
In addition, you may provide comments in writing through Thursday, November 9th, 2023. Please send your written submissions to Becky Cruz Lizama, NOAA Senior Tribal NOAA Senior Tribal Liaison, at OLIA.Tribal@noaa.gov, and identify your submission as “Advancing Co stewardship Consultation.”

Federal Highway Administration: 2024 TTP Safety Fund Notice of Fund Webinar
2023-10-03 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
The FHWA Office of Tribal Transportation webinars have facilitated the sharing of information with the transportation departments of Tribal Governments. As it becomes available, information on the webinars will be posted on the FHWA OTT Webinar web page, https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/programs-tribal/webinars (-> lnks.gd).
Registration is not necessary. Connection information can be found along with additional information and detailed descriptions of each session on the FHWA OTT Webinar web page shown above. Recordings of each session will also be posted on the same web page.
The Federal Highway Administration is committed to providing equal access to this webinar for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please contact Blane Kunihisa at 360-619-7814 or via email blane.kunihisa@dot.gov.
Session details, including webinar and teleconference information, can be found at https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/programs-tribal/webinars (-> lnks.gd). The next webinar will be:
October 3, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
2024 TTP Safety Fund Webinar
The webinar will review the funding opportunity. Grant funding is available for:

Development and update of transportation safety plans
Data assessment, improvement, and analysis – identifying data needs, improving crash data collection, compiling other safety data, or conducting safety studies
Systemic Roadway Departure Countermeasures – streamlined access to specific low-cost safety improvements to address rural roadway departure crashes
Infrastructure Improvements – Projects to address transportation safety needs on tribal transportation facilities.

Presenter(s):

Adam Larsen, TTP Safety Program Manager, FHWA Office of Tribal Transportation

2023 NAIHC Legal Symposium
2023-10-04 - 2023-10-06
NAIHC’s Legal Symposium is the premier learning event for tribal housing and legal professionals working across the country to address the availability and access to affordable housing for Native American families. Each year, the Legal Symposium brings together over 500 tribal housing professionals, tribal leaders, law firms serving Indian country, tribal administrative and compliance staff, and federal officials from HUD, USDA, BIA, EPA, or other agency programs. Past Legal Symposium attendees also included paralegals, occupancy specialists handling leases/evictions, risk management professionals, law school academics, legal scholars, in-house attorneys at housing authorities and tribal legal department staff (among others). Together, Symposium participants share ideas, experiences, and best practices as well as address emerging issues.

Tribal Health Program Support virtual Gathering Circle
2023-10-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The virtual Gathering Circle will be an opportunity to expand our stakeholders’ understanding of ongoing USET Tribal Health Programs Support’s (THPS) programing strengths and challenges. The Gathering Circle will be a quarterly webinar. Each session will highlight various THPS programs.
Who should attend?

USET member Tribal Leaders
USET member Health Directors and Clinicians
Federal Partners

When? October 4, 2023, at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Central/1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
This session will highlight the Special Diabetes Program for Indians.
The session is free, and you can join here.

USET Founders Day
2023-10-05 | United States
In recognition of the bold and visionary leadership of our founding member Tribal Nations and leaders who set forth the mission of USET back in 1969, we celebrate “USET Founders Day” on October 5 every year. USET/USET SPF offices are closed.
Learn more about USET Founders Day.

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

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