United South & Eastern Tribes

Bureau of Indian Education Advisory Board to Host Meeting on Special Education Program
2022-03-10 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
Bureau of Indian Education Advisory Board to Host Meeting on Special Education Program
The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Advisory Board for Exceptional Children is holding a two-day virtual meeting to address the needs for Indian children with disabilities.
Date: March 9 -10
Time: 10-6pm ET (Both Days)
Click here to register

Tribal Consultation on IHS Health Information Technology (HIT) Modernization
2022-03-10 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
As part of their ongoing Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer concerning Indian Health Service (IHS) Health Information Technology (HIT) Modernization, IHS invites you to join a virtual Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer session on Thursday, March 10, 2022.
During this event the IHS will provide a status update on the acquisition process for solutions to replace the Resource and Patient Management System. We will also discuss opportunities for Tribes and Urban Indian Organizations to participate in HIT Modernization governance by contributing expertise to focus groups whose members will inform key aspects of the overall modernization approach.
The HIT Modernization Program will convene focus groups comprised of IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Organization subject matter experts with detailed knowledge of the impacts and benefits that HIT Modernization will bring to Indian Country. Participants in the focus groups will provide individual input on best approaches for ensuring the most effective implementation, interoperability, and data management in support of improved health care services and outcomes. The duration for each focus group is expected to be 12-18 months, with meetings approximately every 2 months.
Additional information on these focus groups and the process for submitting names of subject matter experts for participation will be presented during the Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer session. Attendees must register for the session in advance through the link below. After registering, attendees will receive an e-mail with a link to the web conference and audio call-in numbers. Please register and join this session as follows:
Topic: IHS Health Information Technology Modernization Acquisition Status and Introduction to Modernization Focus Groups
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2022 Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Registration link: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsfuuqrjgoGkQTWuIgXpCYF1ovL-nu0VI
Please join 10 minutes early to troubleshoot any audio or video issues.
You are invited to submit written comments on HIT Modernization following the March 10, 2022, session by E-MAIL to consultation@ihs.gov or urbanconfer@ihs.gov, respectively. Please use the SUBJECT LINE: HIT Modernization. Please provide written comments by April 10, 2022.

In addition to the session described above, the IHS is planning three additional HIT Modernization Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer sessions in 2022.
Please mark your calendar for the following dates:
Health Information Technology Modernization Governance
Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Registration Link
Health Information Technology Modernization Data Management Strategy
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Registration Link
Health Information Technology Modernization Implementation Deployment Plan
Date: Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Registration Link
If you have questions, please contact Mr. Mitchell Thornbrugh, Chief Information Officer, IHS, by telephone at (240) 620-3117, or by e-mail at mitchell.thornbrugh@ihs.gov.

Veterans Health Administration Office of Tribal Government Relations to Host Webinar on Health Asset and Infrastructure Review
2022-03-10 14:00 | Virtual Event
Veterans Health Administration Office of Tribal Government Relations to Host Webinar on Health Asset and Infrastructure Review
The Veterans Health Administration Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR) is hosting a webinar Thursday March 10, 2022 at 3pm ET on the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) process. The AIR process is a congressionally mandated study of the health needs and resources of Veterans.
Click here to register

NIHB: Long COVID-19 Effects and Recovery: Information for Indian Country Webinar
2022-03-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
What: Webinar – Long COVID-19 Effects and Recovery: Information for Indian Country
When: Thursday, March 10, 2022
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Who should attend? Tribal public health/health professionals, Tribal leaders, community members, and Tribal Nations
Register for the event. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.

Virtual Consultation: Executive Order on Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crises of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People
2022-03-10 14:00 - 16:00, 2022-03-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Justice (DOJ), in coordination with Health and Human Services (HHS), Energy, and Homeland Security (DHS) (together the Agencies), are seeking Tribal and stakeholder input related to the policy directives outlined in Executive Order (E.0.) 14053-lmproving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People.
The Agencies wish to consult with Tribal governments to solicit comments and recommendations regarding implementation of the E.O.’s interagency strategies and policy directives, with a focus on how Agencies can promote cross-agency coordination to serve Tribal communities. Please note, additional consultations will focus on specific deliverables or subjects covered in the E.O., including DOJ’s consultation on public safety and justice scheduled for March 16, 2022 to March 17, 2022, as well as upcoming consultations that will be announced by HHS. Times and registration for the regional consultations can be found below.

March 9 at 12:00 – 2:00 PM PT Pacific Time Zone Tribes
March 10 at 1:00 – 3:00 PM MT Mountain Time Zone Tribes
March 11 at 3:00 – 5:00 PM ET Eastern Time Zone Tribes

Infrastructure School: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook Webinar Series
2022-03-10 15:00 - 16:00, 2022-03-15 15:00 - 16:00, 2022-03-17 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
With the signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in mid-November, President Biden marked a new era of building a better America together. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is historic in its size – the largest ever investments in broadband, rail and transit, clean energy, and water, just to name a few – as well as the breadth of programs and sectors included in the law. Implementing the largest investment in our nation’s infrastructure in generations will require deep partnership alongside Members of Congress, Governors, Mayors, Tribal leaders, local officials, and community members.
Last month, the White House released a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law guidebook to provide information so you know what to apply for, who to contact, and how to get ready to rebuild. This guidebook is a roadmap to the funding available under the law, as well as an explanatory document that shows direct federal spending at the program level. They will continue to update this resource online at Build.gov. Their goal is for you—communities all across America—to take full advantage of the opportunity this new funding presents.
To help partners better understand the programs within the guidebook, they are launching Infrastructure School, a series of twelve webinars over the coming weeks that will provide an in-depth look into the programs contained within each of the twelve major chapters in the guidebook.
The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to building a better America– creating good middle-class jobs, supporting disadvantaged and underserved communities, advancing climate resilience and sustainability, and investing in American manufacturers. It is their hope this resource is another step forward in our work together to build a better America.
Please see the below for the full schedule. Registration links for the February sessions are below and registration links for the March sessions will be available later this month.

Ports and Waterways: Register Here

Tuesday, February 15 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Airports: Register here

Thursday, February 17 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Electric Vehicles: Register Here

Tuesday, February 22 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Public Transportation: Register Here

Thursday, February 24 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Rail Road: Register Here

Tuesday, February 28 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Roads, Bridges and Major Projects

Thursday, March 3 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Safety

Tuesday, March 8 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Clean Energy and Power

Thursday, March 10 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Water

Tuesday, March 15 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Resilience

Thursday, March 17 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Environmental Remediation

Tuesday, March 22 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Broadband

Thursday, March 24 at 4pm – 5pm ET

Virtual Tribal Consultation on Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records
2022-03-10 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced an upcoming virtual Tribal Consultation on Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records, 42 CFR part 2 (Part 2). This consultation will be held on March 10, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., EST. The Part 2 Confidentiality Consultation will provide an opportunity for HHS to inform Tribes about the Part 2 regulation and changes, receive comments, and answer questions on these issues. The Part 2 Confidentiality Consultation will furthermore provide a forum for Tribes to collectively share their views and priorities with HHS officials about the federal requirements for confidentiality of SUD patient records. This consultation intends to provide a venue for a two way conversation between Tribal leaders and HHS officials that will lead to recommendations for Part 2 regulatory analysis and proposals.
HHS will also accept written comments for the administrative rulemaking record from Tribes. Comments can be emailed to TribalConsultation@samhsa.hhs.gov. The consultation record will remain open for 30 days after the Part 2 Confidentiality Consultation. More information can be found in the Dear Tribal Leader Letter.

NCCCA Climate Change Series: Changing Risk of Compound Extremes in a Warming Climate
2022-03-10 15:30 | Virtual Event
NCCCA Climate Change Series: Changing Risk of Compound Extremes in a Warming Climate
Thursday, March 10th at 5:30 PM PT
Please join this important talk, followed by Q&A, with Deepti Singh, Ph.D. (she/her/they/them).
The western U.S. has experienced several climate-driven extreme events in recent years ranging from record-breaking heat, drought, and intense flood-inducing rainfall.
Such widespread extreme events have simultaneously affected a large geographic region affecting disaster management resources, an individual’s ability to avoid impacts, and various societal sectors.
This talk will discuss observed trends in such extremes, their projections, and potential societal consequences.
Please register in advance for this Zoom meeting.
There is no charge for this online event but you must register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Register

USET COVID-19 Project ECHO Session
2022-03-11 11:00 | Virtual Event
Every second Friday of the month: USET COVID-19 ECHO
The session will include updates related to Indian Country, updates on the status of COVID-19 in the USET region, and an opportunity to ask questions and receive expert advice.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central/12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern (join)
Join by phone only at any of the following numbers using meeting ID 918 0885 1929:
646-558-8656; 253-215-8782; 301-715-8592; 346-248-7799. Press *6 to mute your line.
**Continuing education credits are NOW available for these sessions.**

Tribal Consultation on Executive Order (E.0.) 14053-lmproving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People
2022-03-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Justice (DOJ), in coordination with Health and Human Services (HHS), Energy, and Homeland Security (DHS) (together the Agencies), are seeking Tribal and stakeholder input related to the policy directives outlined in Executive Order (E.0.) 14053-lmproving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People.
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 12:00 p.m. — 2:00 p.m. PT Pacific and Alaska Time Zones
Tribal Nations register in advance for this consultation
Thursday, March 10, 2022 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. MT Mountain Time Zones
Tribal Nations register in advance for this consultation
Friday, March 11, 2022 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET Eastern and Central Time Zone
Tribal Nations register in advance for this consultation
You may provide your written input to consultation@bia.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, March 18, 2022. If you have any questions regarding this effort, please contact Rose Petoskey, Senior Counselor to the Assistant Secretary — Indian Affairs, at rose.petoskey@bia.gov or by phone at (202) 208-7163.

USET Hepatitis C Project ECHO Clinic
2022-03-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
USET Hepatitis C Project ECHO Clinic
presented by
USET Tribal Health Program Support
The one-hour virtual clinics allow for primary care clinicians to collaborate with a team of specialists to learn best practices for treating and curing hepatitis C (HCV). These clinics include case presentations, recommendations from expert faculty, and a didactic session.
Who should attend? Indian Health Service staff, Urban Indian and Tribal Nation clinicians/ staff, and health care professionals
When? The second Monday of every month at 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Central/12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Eastern
Benefits of attending, and presenting a deidentified case include:

Discussing HCV treatment options for each case from leading treatment experts
Collaborating with other clinicians from Tribal Nations within the Nashville Area Office region and beyond
Receiving written recommendation options for each specific case presented

To join, please click the link below at the time of the meeting:
https://echo.zoom.us/j/880735403
If you would like to present a case, please complete the case form and send to Bryan Hendrix via email (bhendrix@usetinc.org).

Tribal Aviation Symposium
2022-03-14 11:00 - 2022-03-15 17:00 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invite you to the first Tribal Aviation Symposium on March 14-15, 2022 from 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. ET.
While the idea for this symposium has been years in the making, it began to take shape during the Tribal consultation sessions last March. These conversations helped build what they hope will be an engaging and informative symposium.
Session topics include:

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Grant Funding
Tribal Airports Best Practices
Emerging Technology: Drones, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Commercial Space
Aviation Careers and STEM Aviation & Space Education (AVSED)
Protecting Sacred Sites from Overflights

In addition to sharing information and resources for Tribal aviation programs, they will also provide opportunities for questions throughout the symposium. During the final session, they will hold a facilitated discussion on outreach and define next steps.
Please note: All attendees must register to join the Tribal Aviation Symposium. After you register, you will receive an email with your unique Zoom link to join the symposium.

USDA APHIS ezFedGrant (eFG) webinar series
2022-03-14 12:00 - 13:30, 2022-03-21 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting a webinar series on the ezFedGrant. There will be a one-hour and thirty-minute webinar each Monday in March, beginning with March 07, 2022, starting at 11 am MST/ 1 pm EST. Several APHIS’ programs will be presenting this webinar series; they will cover all topics from getting started in eFG to closing out an award. They will not be discussing APHIS program-specific funding opportunities as those will be shared by the APHIS programs individually in the immediate future and will notify you in advance.
eFG webinar sessions will focus on:
March 7 – Registration Link

What is eFG,
what is SAM.gov,
what is a DUNS/Unique Entity Identifier?
How does an entity get registered?
What is needed for a registration?

March 14 – Registration Link

Accessing eFG
User roles
Applying to a funding opportunity
Application management

March 21 – Registration Link

Next steps if selected for an award
Award Management Reporting – Programmatic and Financial Claim Submission – Advance or Reimbursement

March 28 – Registration Link

Amendments to an Award

No cost extensions
Change in Partners
Add or remove funds

Close out of the award
Recap of all modules

If you have questions about the webinar series, please contact ONTL Assistant Director Carl Etsitty at Carl.Etsitty@usda.gov or
Dr. Terry Clark at Terry.W.Clark@usda.gov.

Webinar: Opportunities and Challenges in Supporting and Growing the Tribal Early Childhood Workforce
2022-03-14 13:30 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Office of Indian Education
Webinar: Opportunities and Challenges in Supporting and Growing the Tribal Early Childhood Workforce
March 14, 2022 | 2:30-4:00 p.m. ET

Please join this Administration for Children and Families (ACF) webinar to learn about approaches to supporting, growing, and strengthening the early childhood workforce in tribal communities. A strong, qualified, well-compensated workforce is critical to the successful implementation of high-quality early childhood programs. In tribal communities, there are additional considerations around ensuring that early childhood program staff have the language, cultural, and community knowledge to implement culturally grounded programs that meet the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) children and families. Tribal communities also have a strong interest in “growing their own” workforce by supporting members of the community, including former program participants, to become early childhood professionals.
Retaining a strong workforce also requires supports around professional development, health, wellbeing, and self-care – which has become even more clear during the disruptions of the pandemic. During this webinar, participants will hear an overview of issues related to supporting and strengthening the early childhood workforce in tribal communities, followed by a panel highlighting innovations and promising practices being implemented in tribal communities. Participants will then be able to learn more about and discuss highlighted strategies with peers and hear about resources they can use in their own communities and programs.
This webinar is part of a series of webinars on topics related to implementation and coordination of early childhood programs in AIAN communities. Resources and recordings from the webinar series are available at: https://rise.articulate.com/share/FxAwtFkPS9MNjR9DgFFxKK7HdmPgU6x1.

National Indian Education Association Hill Week
2022-03-15 - 2022-03-17 | Holiday Inn, Capitol, 550 C Street SW, Washington, DC, 20024, United States
National Indian Education Association Hill Week
NIEA will be hosting its Annual Hill Week Events, March 15-17, 2022 at the Holiday Inn, Capitol in Washington, DC. Hill Week participants will receive two days of training and updates from our public and private sector partners to educate them about Native Education needs and garner support for NIEA’s top legislative priorities.
Participants will have an opportunity to meet with members of Congress and their staff. Through these engagements, you can showcase the work you are doing for Native students and highlight the impact of federal legislation on Native education within your local communities.
Your outreach will be the first step in building an ongoing relationship with legislators and their staff and will go a long way towards strengthening NIEA’s advocacy efforts.
Click below to find out more about this event:
Draft Agenda
Register
NIEA Hill Week

Tribal-DHS Coordination and Collaboration Calls
2022-03-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
We look forward to seeing you at our monthly Tribal-DHS collaboration calls. This is an opportunity to share information and check-in on activities. If you have any specific needs or interests, do not hesitate to reach out.
Where: Zoom https://hq-dhs.zoomgov.com/j/1611865719?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 161 186 5719
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Phone only, not required for Zoom participation: 551-285-1373
Who: Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, Alaska Native Corporations, and tribal organizations across all homeland security mission space. Interested participants.
What: “Third Tuesday’s” Tribal-DHS Coordination and Collaboration Calls
When: Third Tuesday of every month. 2:00 ET., 1:00 CT., 12:00 MT., 11:00 PT., 10:00 AK. No scheduled calls in November or December.
Why: This is an opportunity to provide input and seek assistance from DHS tribal affairs practitioners, and to coordinate homeland security efforts. Significant components and offices in DHS on efforts to support tribes in their homeland security efforts.
Calendar invite download
DHS executes its homeland security responsibilities through the efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Secret Service (USSS). These components are supported by offices like the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), and the Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE).
This is not formal consultation, but an ongoing collaboration effort supporting the implementation of E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments and not intended for media. Please contact me if you have media inquires.

IHS National Tribal Advisory Committee on Behavioral Health Virtual Meeting
2022-03-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
IHS National Tribal Advisory Committee on Behavioral Health Virtual Meeting
The Indian Health Service (IHS), Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) is presenting the IHS National Tribal Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Behavioral Health Virtual Meeting. The NTAC acts as an advisory body to the DBH and to the Director of the IHS, with the aim of providing guidance and recommendations on programmatic issues that affect the delivery of behavioral health care for American Indian and Alaska Natives. The NTAC Meeting will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 pm ET.
Date: March 16, 2022

For additional information, please contact Michele Muir-Howard by email at michele.muir-howard@ihs.gov.

NAFOA Webinar: Energy Projects for Tribes of All Sizes
2022-03-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
NAFOA Webinar: Energy Projects for Tribes of All Sizes
NAFOA is excited to host the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) and Office of Indian Energy Policy & Programs in a webinar designed to introduce tribal officials, members, and staffers to energy project possibilities of all different types and sizes.
Wednesday, March 16th, 2022,
2:00pm to 3:00pm Eastern Time
Click for Webinar Registration
Find out what programs are available, how to assess individual tribal needs, and what energy opportunities that are available to tribal governments of all sizes, as staff from the LPO and Office of Indian Energy walk participants through the programs available from DOE and what you need to know.
Register to join the webinar.

NCAI Tribal Leader Town Hall on the Violence Against Women Act
2022-03-16 13:00 - 14:15 | Virtual Event
NCAI Tribal Leader Town Hall on the Violence Against Women Act
Date: March 16, 2022
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Eastern
NCAI will host a virtual Town Hall on March 16, 2022 on the VAWA reauthorization to discuss this historic moment for Indian Country, review the tribal provisions in the law, and highlight the next steps for Tribal Nations. More information to come.
Register
Congress Reauthorizes Violence Against Women Act in FY22 Omnibus – Restoring Tribal Jurisdiction
Last night, Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as part of passing the Omnibus Spending Package for Fiscal Year 2022. The VAWA reauthorization includes historic provisions that strengthen tribal sovereignty and safety in Indian Country and significantly increase resources for Tribal Nations to exercise their restored jurisdiction. NCAI will host a tribal leader town hall on this monumental piece of legislation for Indian Country on March 16, 2022 at 2:00 pm EDT. You can register for the town hall below.
The historic tribal provisions in VAWA:

Reaffirm Tribal Nations’ jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indian perpetrators of child violence, sexual violence, sex trafficking, stalking, crimes against tribal law enforcement and correctional officers, and obstruction of justice;
Establish an Alaska pilot project, which will allow a limited number of Alaska Native Villages to exercise Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction and civil jurisdiction over non-Indian perpetrators for the first time since the 1998 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Alaska v. Native Village of Venetie;
Clarify that all Tribal Nations in Maine can exercise tribal jurisdiction under VAWA;
Ensure that non-Indian defendants must exhaust all Tribal court remedies;
Reauthorize funding for and amending the Tribal Access Program, to ensure that all Tribal Nations can access national crime information systems for criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes;
Make the 2010 Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program permanent and allow Tribal Nations to place offenders in federal facilities that are sentenced to one year or more; and

Significantly increase resources for Tribal Nations to exercise Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction and establish a reimbursement program to cover tribal costs.

DOJ Consultation: Meeting the Public Safety Needs of Tribal Communities
2022-03-16 14:00 - 15:30, 2022-03-17 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader:
We are pleased to invite you to government-to-government consultations with the Department of Justice (DOJ), which will discuss DOJ’s efforts to address the unacceptably high rate of violent crime in Native communities, including the rates of missing or murdered indigenous persons. Deputy Attorney General Monaco recently issued a memorandum establishing the Department’s Steering Committee to address the crisis of missing or murdered indigenous persons and required that the Steering Committee consult with Tribal leaders on its work. As the Deputy Attorney General noted in that memo, challenges faced by Tribes are best met by Tribally-driven solutions, so outreach and communication with Tribes will be fundamental to DOJ’s efforts to promote public safety in Tribal communities. To support our discussion, we will follow up separately with a framing paper.
All sessions will be held virtually.
Wednesday, March 16, 3:00 – 4:30 pm Eastern
Link to register: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10163270/f0e4d0f036; those unable to pre-register may join by calling 1-844-845-4169 and asking to be joined to the US DOJ Office of Tribal Justice call.
Thursday, March 17, 3:00 – 4:30 pm Eastern
Link to register: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10163272/f0e56f1fd0; those unable to pre-register may join by calling 1-844-845-4169 and asking to be joined to the US DOJ Office of Tribal Justice call.
Please note that you will be asked to provide your name, Tribal affiliation, and email when registering or joining the call. We welcome written comments until the close of business on April 15, 2022. Please submit them via email to OTJ@usdoj.gov.
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Tribal Justice at (202) 514-8812 or OTJ@usdoj.gov. We hope you will be able to participate in this important government-to-government consultation and look forward to working with you.

IHS DSTAC Monthly March Call
2022-03-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
IHS DSTAC Monthly March Call
The Direct Service Tribes (DST) Advisory Committee (DSTAC) hold monthly virtual call to provide leadership, advocacy, and policy guidance. Advocating for Indian Health policies that advance DST objectives and priorities.
Date: March 17, 2022
Time: 3-4 pm (EST)
Contact: Verly Fairbanks, verly.fairbanks@ihs.gov

Pre-Application Webinars for the Native Youth Community Program (NYCP)
2022-03-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Pre-Application Webinars for the Native Youth Community Program (NYCP)
The Office of Indian Education (OIE) is hosting two pre-application webinars for the NYCP grant competition. OIE will provide an overview of the program goals and objectives and the application review process. Attendees will be able to ask questions during the webinar.
Register through the links below:
OIE Demonstration (NYCP) Grants Pre-Application Webinar #1
March 7, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. CT
Register here: https://seiservices.zoom.us/j/92793565485
OIE Demonstration (NYCP) Grants Pre-Application Webinar #2
March 18, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. CT
Register here: https://seiservices.zoom.us/j/97408623208

Tribal Consultation on the broadband monies allocated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
2022-03-18 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce, announces another Tribal Consultation on the broadband monies allocated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58 (IIJA). In addition to the additional $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), this funding includes:

$42.45 billion for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, for which all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and certain U.S. Territories (Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) are eligible.
$2.75 billion for Digital Equity Act Programs that create three programs to support the closure of the digital divide and promote equity and digital inclusion.
$1 billion for a competitive Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program.

NTIA’s previous Tribal Consultations focused on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260 (Act), that created the TBCP and provided new sources of Tribal broadband funding to assist in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the digital divide across Indian Country. NTIA received applications requesting significantly more in funding than the $980 million available for grants under the Act. The Tribal Consultation on January 14, 2022, focused on the additional $2 billion in funding appropriated for the TBCP by the IIJA.
NTIA is committed to holding another consultation expeditiously to ensure that your input informs the use and timing of the funding from the IIJA. In accordance with the Department of Commerce’s Tribal consultation policy, you are invited and/or a Tribal representative with your delegation of authority to participate in the virtual National Tribal Consultation to provide your advice and insights as NTIA staff are working through the critical issues related to the TBCP and the other programs authorized by the IIJA.
Date: Friday, March 18, 2022
Time: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET
Zoom Meeting Link

OIE virtual Listening Session: Identifying Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Needs: Realities and Needs
2022-03-21 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education (OIE) is hosting virtual listening sessions to listen and learn about the realities that impact Title VI (Part A) Indian Education within your community. This is your opportunity to be heard and help the OIE identify ways we can enhance our delivery of meaningful services.
Identifying Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Needs: Realities and Needs
March 21, 2022 | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Register: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_4_S7Ly1cSo2zM34PyONWuA
Description: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education (OIE) is seeking stakeholder input to identify ways the OIE can better embrace and support the whole Native child. We are looking to identify efforts to meet the social, emotional, and mental health needs of Native students. The purpose of this opportunity is to hear, listen, and learn about promising practices and persistent barriers affecting an educator’s ability to support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of their Native students. This session advances Secretarial Supplemental Priority 4(a) which is to identify culturally informed solutions that address negative learning environments that are impacting social and emotional well-being.
Questions:

What are barriers that you face when attempting to address Native student social, emotional, and/or mental health needs? (e.g., time, space, budget)
What are the challenges associated with addressing negative learning environments that are impacting the social, emotional, and mental health well-being of Native students?
What are ways that the OIE can best embrace a “Whole Native Child” model where OIE grants can support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of Native students?
What are types of activities have you conducted or witnessed in-action that you believe are having a positive social, emotional, and mental health impact on Native students?
What social, emotional, and mental health skills or areas that need support as we identify ways to support Native students across the country? (e.g., self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, mindfulness, responsible decision-making)
How can the OIE support your local social, emotional, and mental health initiatives that embrace the whole Native child?
What are some school climate strategies that have had positive and transformative impacts in your local school community?
Please describe ways that the OIE can support the professional educator workforce as it grapples with educator turnover due to burnout.

DOI Tribal Consultations on the Removal of Derogatory and Offensive Names from Federal Usage
2022-03-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader:
The Department of the Interior (Department) is responsible for the stewardship and management of public lands. However, there are many geographic features throughout the Nation that bear names which are considered derogatory.
On November 19, 2021, Secretary of the Interior Haaland signed Secretary’s Order (S.O.) 3404, declaring “squaw” (henceforth written as sq___) as a derogatory term and establishing the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force (Task Force). The Task Force will review and select replacement names for the 665 geographic features with the term sq___ to submit to the Board on Geographic Names (BGN) for action.
A list of candidate geographic names to replace those declared derogatory will be available for comment during a series of Tribal Consultations to be held consistent with Department policies and procedures. A list of five candidate names for each feature was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These candidate replacement names were derived through a search of nearby named geographic features until at least five nearby names were available. The candidate replacement name will replace the derogatory modifier. For example, “Castle Creek” is the nearest named feature to “Sq___ Mesa”. The first candidate replacement name for the derogatory named feature would be “Castle Mesa”.
The Task Force will consider all comments and any proposed additional candidate replacement names received during the Tribal Consultation period in developing a single recommended replacement name for each feature. The BGN received several proposals to rename a feature covered by S.O. 3404 through their conventional process, and these proposals are not yet resolved. These proposed names are indicated in the enclosed list and are also available at regulations.gov. The Task Force will consider these proposed candidate replacement names ahead of the candidate replacement names that were determined by proximity. Replacement names, to the extent possible, shall adhere to the BGN Principles, Policies, and Procedures for the Domestic Names Committee. BGN Policy V regarding Derogatory and Offensive Names now applies to the word ‘Sq___’ as it is declared derogatory by S.O. 3404. Replacement names proposed during the Tribal Consultation period that are in clear violation of an existing policy will not be considered by the Task Force. The list of all replacement names recommended by the Task Force will be submitted to the BGN Domestic Names Committee for final adjudication.
To inform the Task Force’s recommendations to the BGN, we invite you to participate in the following consultation sessions to provide comments on the list and to provide your recommendations for candidate names to be considered along with the initial list.

March 21, 2022: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time
Mountain Time Zone Tribes
Register in advance for this meeting: https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsf2tqjgpHeeCaeJZV8O5IvzxVvMKuz4
March 22, 2022: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Pacific & Alaska Time Zone Tribes
Register in advance for this meeting: https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItf6rrTsoGWThRM-JXJn_p9diob1iLak
March 23, 2022: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Eastern & Central Time Zone Tribes
Register in advance for this meeting: https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsduppj0jH4KEJ2NRwHXPIlfyO6i7g-o

In addition to joining one of the Tribal Consultation sessions listed above, you may submit written comments to taskforce_consultation@ios.doi.gov. Written comments should include the Feature ID (FID) of the feature(s) of interest when submitting your comment. The FID for each feature is located in Column B of the list and must be received by 11:59 PM ET on April 24, 2022, to ensure timely consideration. You may download the list of candidate names at https://www.usgs.gov/us-board-on-geographic-names/so3404-candidate-names-list. We look forward to speaking with you. If you have any questions, please contact feel free to contact Joseph Younkle at (202) 853-4345 or joseph_younkle@ios.doi.gov.
Sincerely,
Michael Tischler, Ph.D
Director, National Geospatial Program
U.S. Geological Survey
Chair, DOI Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force
