United South & Eastern Tribes

USDA and Department of Energy Listening Session on American Farms, Rural Benefits
2024-01-16 13:30 - 15:00, 2024-01-16 09:00 - 10:30, 2024-01-12 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host a series of listening sessions this winter. The agencies invite perspectives on the benefits and challenges of the rapidly increasing levels of clean energy being sited on agricultural lands and in rural communities.
USDA and DOE seek feedback directly from a diverse set of stakeholders about what the agencies can do through their leadership, program guidance, or research and information sharing to encourage positive clean energy siting outcomes that benefit farmers, rural Americans, the renewable energy industry and others.
Stakeholders can register to participate in public listening sessions that are available virtually by clicking on the selected date and time:
• Government permitting and policy representatives at state, county, and local levels on Jan. 12, 2024, at 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. ET Government Permitting and Policy Representatives, Register Here
• Agricultural producers on Jan. 16, 2024, at 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET. Agriculture Producers, Register Here
• All stakeholders and members of the public on Jan. 16, 2024, at 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET. All Stakeholders, Register Here
• Rural electric coops and clean energy developers on Jan. 17, 2024, at 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET. Energy Organizations, Register Here
Stakeholders may submit written comments by Jan. 20, 2024, to CleanEnergySiting@USDA.gov.

2024 DHS External Tribal Quarterly Meeting
2024-01-16 13:00 | Virtual Event
January 16 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register in advance for this meeting
These virtual quarterly meetings are hosted by DHS Tribal Affairs and provide an opportunity to have discussions on Homeland Security matters such as equity, resource availability, partnerships, law enforcement and security, cybersecurity, disaster response, and prevention of human trafficking and targeted violence.

IRS Office Hours to assist with IRS Energy Credits Online Registration Process
2024-01-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The IRS is hosting upcoming office hours that are available for all direct pay applicable entities. This is to assist with the IRS Energy Credits Online pre-filing registration process. Upcoming office hours and links to register are below:

DATE
TIME
Registration Link

January 16, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

January 19, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

January 23, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

January 26, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

January 30, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

February 2, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

February 6, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

February 9, 2024
1-2 PM EST
Register Here

To receive any future announcements on IRS office hours, and for updates on direct pay generally, sign up at IRS.gov/newsroom/e-news-subscriptions by scrolling down to the “Tax exempt & government entities” category. As a reminder, IRS has detailed resources to help you navigate the pre-filing registration process from start to finish, including this how-to video and this comprehensive user guide.
Visit IRS.gov/ElectivePay to explore a series of educational one-pagers for each direct pay applicable entity, a list of applicable tax credits, and an extensive list of FAQs. You can find even more information and the latest guidance related to the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax provisions generally on IRS.gov/CleanEnergy.
To learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act and its clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related investment programs, explore the Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook or visit IRS.gov/CleanEnergy.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
2024-01-15
The USET/USET SPF offices will be closed today in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr.

USET Infectious Disease ECHO
2024-01-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
We invite you and your staff to participate in the new Infectious Disease ECHO. This ECHO is merged the previous COVID-19 and Hepatitis C ECHOs and will focus on a different topic every month. Additionally, clinical cases are encouraged to be submitted to gain insight into healthcare recommendations from other medical providers working in the field. This no-cost telehealth series will be held throughout 2023 on the second Friday of every month at 11:00 am Central/12:00 pm Eastern.
This month’s session will be highlighting the National Health Observance Awareness “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” with a discussion on Viral Respiratory Tract Infections leading to acute bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and other infections.
Each session will be one hour in length that will provide an opportunity for participants to:

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

Who should attend? Tribal Nation health directors, clinic staff, physicians, nurses, Tribal Epidemiology Center staff, and anyone supporting Tribal Nation citizens through the health sector are welcome to join.
Registration: Register in advance for the session. You ONLY need to register ONCE for the series. Once you register, you can download the reminder to your calendar with the Zoom information.
Continuing Education: This activity will offer CE credits for a variety of professionals. More information will be provided at a later date.

For questions, please contact Gabbie Niski, USET THPS Infectious Disease Program Manager at gniski@usetinc.org or Bryan Hendrix, USET THPS Quality Improvement Data Analyst, at bhendrix@usetinc.org.

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Round 2 Application Office Hours and Webinars
2024-01-11 15:00 - 16:00, 2024-01-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
January 4 at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern – Technical Assistance Office Hours |Register
January 11 at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern – TBCP Webinar – Cybersecurity and Sustainability: https://ntia-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_mW_j29dWR9yaaNGFp7ITZw
January 16 at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern – TBCP Webinar – How to Apply: https://ntia-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_IHzmgkg7SKO_XLjVu2xeFA
January 18 at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern – Technical Assistance Office Hours: https://ntia-gov.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdeuspzMqE0XaHYtnNVOBDrtM7qIJ8wc

HHS Tribal Consultation on the definition of Indian Tribe
2024-01-11 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-01-09 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter

Tuesday, January 9 at 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
Thursday, January 11 at 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
Wednesday, January 17 at 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Thursday, January 18 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern

Zoom Registration
Please send your written comments and recommendations on which definition of Indian Tribe to include in the updated Consultation Policy by Friday, February 20, 2024 via e-mail to: consultation@ihs.gov with the subject line: DEFINITION OF INDIAN TRIBE.
What definition of Indian Tribe should be included in the updated Consultation Policy: the List Act Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5130); or the ISDEAA Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5304(e))?
Option #1: List Act Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5130): “Indian tribe” means any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian Tribe.

Executive Order 13175 (“Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments”) defines “Indian Tribe” using the List Act definition. It is also the definition used in the Presidential Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation (November 30, 2022), the HHS TCP, and all other Federal Tribal Consultation Policies.

Option #2: ISDEAA Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5304(e)): “Indian tribe” or “Indian Tribe” means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

The ISDEAA definition of Indian Tribe includes Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and is currently utilized in the existing IHS Tribal Consultation Policy.

National Park Service's Semiquincentennial Grant Program Webinar
2024-01-11 14:00 | Virtual Event
January 11 at 3:00 pm Eastern
To attend, please RSVP to shyh.saenz@operativo.us.
Different from the previous two offerings, NPS has expanded the field of eligible applicants. For the FY2023 round, eligible properties include those places owned by state and local governments, non-profit organizations, public and non-profit institutions of higher education, and tribes. All resources must be listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places at the time of application. The buildings, structures, sites, districts, and objects considered significant for their association with or commemoration of people, places, or events between the earliest known resources and December 31, 1800, may be considered as associated with the “founding of the nation.” The deadline for applications is March 5, 2024.
Information about the grant program can be found here –
Semiquincentennial Grant Opportunity (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

American Climate Corp Listening Session
2024-01-11 09:00 | Virtual Event
In September, President Biden announced the launch of the American Climate Corps, a groundbreaking workforce training and service initiative that will prepare tens of thousands of young people for good-paying jobs in the clean economy.
Beginning this week, the Biden-Harris Administration will convene a series of virtual listening sessions to hear directly from prospective American Climate Corps applicants and implementing partners. Join the American Climate Corps team and special guests to share your thoughts about how to make the ACC a success.
The first listening session will be held on Thursday, January 11 at 10 am ET. Sign up here.
Additional listening sessions will be held on the following dates:

January 16 at 6 pm ET. Sign up here
January 25 at 6 pm ET. Sign up here
February 1 at 10 am ET. Sign up here

More information about the virtual listening sessions can be found here.

Office of Indian Education | Native American Language Program Pre-Application Meeting
2024-01-09 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
January 9 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Register
January 16 at 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern
Register
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications is March 7, 2024. Learn more.

Webinar on Engaging the USPTO: Advancing Indigenous Interests in Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Beyond
2024-01-09 10:00 | Virtual Event
January 9 at 11:00 am Eastern
Register Now
In preparation for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) upcoming consultation sessions on genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions, this webinar aims to inform and support tribal leaders and others who intend to provide commentary to the USPTO regarding its positions at the World Intellectual Property Organization on these issues. As part of this event, we will work together to develop strategies and talking points that tribal leaders and others can use or adapt to their own purposes as they engage with the USPTO through consultations and comments.

FY23 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Workshop Webinar
2024-01-08 09:00 | Virtual Event
Tribal fire departments and emergency medical services are eligible to apply for FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The next opportunity to apply begins on January 29, 2024, when the 2023 AFG application period opens. The application period will close on March 8, 2024.
In anticipation of the application period, the AFG program is hosting a series of application development workshop webinars. The fiscal year (FY) 2023 AFG application development workshops are intended to provide the latest AFG program updates and tips to assist eligible applicants in developing their narrative for the upcoming application period. Each session will run approximately 1 hour. Attendees can ask questions and network with FEMA Grant Specialists, and other AFG applicants.
Workshops begin 10 a.m. ET January 8, 2024. For additional information and guidance materials, please visit the AFG website.
Workshop Event Topics:

Personal Protective Equipment and Equipment
AFG Fundamentals
Wellness & Fitness, Modification to Facilities and Training
Vehicle Acquisition
Narrative Development

To attend:

Visit the Workshop Schedule Page
Filter by topic (see topics)
View attendance date and time
Click workshop topic title
Select “Join Webinar”
Select “Register Now” and fill-in your details

In the meantime, please feel free to contact your Regional Fire Program Specialist with any questions.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) Resources for Tribal Law Enforcement & Native Communities
2024-01-08 08:00 - 17:00 | 123 Easy Street, Nashville, TN, 37211, United States
February 27 at 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm Eastern
Register
This webinar will provide a description of the NCMEC resources and services available to tribal law enforcement, families, and Native communities, for the prevention, preparation, and response to missing, abducted, or exploited children. Native communities have unique historical, economic, resource, geographical, and other challenges that can affect the prevention, preparation and responses to missing or exploited children. This webinar will provide training and information on available resources and services available to Native Communities, as well as internet safety information for Native families, as Native communities expand their broadband and internet access. Some of the topics covered will be:

History of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Overview of NCMEC resources and services available
Information on types of Native missing children incidents and cases
Missing children response checklists and other NCMEC publications available for tribal law enforcement, childcare providers, and families
Child safety and internet safety resources for children and families
Information on other resources and projects specific to tribal law enforcement

USET/USET SPF Holiday Break
2023-12-25 - 2024-01-01
USET/USET SPF offices will be closed for a holiday break. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a very happy new year.

HHS Tribal Consultation on Grants Administration Rulemaking
2023-12-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR) have issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that revises certain provisions of the regulations that govern HHS grants administration. Specifically, HHS is soliciting input on provisions in the NPRM that would require grant recipients to comply with applicable federal statutory nondiscrimination provisions, require HHS compliance with applicable Supreme Court decisions in administering grants, and provide a religious exemption for requirements from certain provisions. HHS will hold consultation virtually on December 19, 2023 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET. Interested participants may register for the consultation session here. Written comments will be accepted following the consultation until January 18, 2024. More information on the consultation can be found in the Dear Tribal Leader Letter.

HHS Tribal Consultation on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
2023-12-18 14:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
December 18 at 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Eastern
Register in advance
(833) 568-8864 (Toll Free)
Meeting ID: 161 992 3419
Passcode: [REDACTED]
For written comments, please use the following SUBJECT LINE: BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW. The deadline to provide written comments for this Tribal Consultation is Thursday, January 4, 2024.

White House IGA Year in Review and the Year Ahead Briefing
2023-12-18 09:00 - 09:30 | Virtual Event
The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Tom Perez, invite you to join the Year in Review and the Year Ahead Briefing on December 18 at 10:00 AM ET. Join to hear from multiple senior Administration officials as they discuss the accomplishments of the past year and share goals, messaging, and priorities for 2024.
Briefing Information
Register here – https://pitc.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItfuCqpj8pG5rgTdN8imQCWNej2nry9nc
When: 10:00-10:30 AM ET on December 18
Where: Virtual (Zoom)

USET OERM Webinar | Learning About Lead Exposure in Tribal Children
2023-12-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management presents
the Learning About Lead Exposure in Tribal Children Webinar
USET’s Office of Environmental Resource Management (OERM) is introducing our Lead Testing program. EPA’s 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities was developed to help schools and child-care facilities to implement a voluntary program for reducing lead in drinking water. This EPA program is focused on promoting voluntary testing of drinking water for lead, taking corrective action if problems are identified, and sharing testing results and plans for reducing lead exposure in drinking water with parents, staff, students, and the community at large.

When:

October 19 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
November 16 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
December 14 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern

Who should attend: Tribal Leaders, Health Directors, Education Directors, Education Faculty/Staff, Tribal Administrators, Clinic Staff, Tribal utility workers at USET member Tribal Nations

What: This webinar will cover the following:

Physical properties of lead
Adverse health effects of lead poisoning
Guidance and remediation of lead plumbing from schools and childcare facilities

Registration:
Register today.

Lead Program Summary:
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that is globally recognized as a substance that has serious health consequences if consumed, especially for children. The adverse health effects range, from lowered birth weight and slowed physical and mental development in infants, to lowered IQ levels, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, and poor classroom performance in young children. Clean and safe water is essential and paramount to building a sustainable economy, successful educational and public health systems, and most importantly, a healthy and productive environment for children.
The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management (OERM) is introducing our Lead Testing program, which is funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The OERM Lead Testing program has adopted the EPA 3 Ts program for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities. This program was developed to help schools and child-care facilities to implement a voluntary program for reducing lead in drinking water.
Our Lead Testing program promotes voluntary training, testing of drinking water for lead, and taking corrective action if problems are identified. For USET Member Tribal Nation participants, OERM is offering assistance to conduct testing at Tribal schools and child-care facilities. USET will assist with sampling Tribal childcare facilities, and will collect data such as sampling results and facility location on behalf of participating Member Tribal Nations. Member Tribal Nations may store data on a secure USET server that is only accessible by the respective Member Tribal Nation.
We survey Tribal childcare facilities to prioritize the needs of our respective Member Tribal Nation community.
For USET Member Tribal Nations who are interested in participating in our Lead Testing program, please complete the Lead Testing program application.
For more information, please contact USET’s Lead Program team:
Jakira Saunders, Program Manager
Ben Peyton, Senior Technical Assistant Specialist

Cultivating Native Economies in the 21st Century
2023-12-13 10:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
December 13 at 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Central
Register
This event culminates the Center for Indian Country Development’s (CICD’s) 2023 webinar series: Cultivating Native Economies in the 21st Century. The series provides tribal leaders, policymakers, and practitioners with information they can use to strengthen and expand Indian Country economic prosperity.
The December 13 event will feature conversations with tribal leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners who are strengthening their collection and use of data—in ways that honor tribal data sovereignty. Speakers working with tribal governments, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations will reflect on what data are still needed to provide a more complete picture of Indian Country. CICD staff will also demonstrate new data tools available for understanding local and national economic conditions and opportunities.

Data Stories in Indian Country
2023-12-13 10:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Data Stories in Indian Country
The fourth in a series of conversations on cultivating Native economies, hosted by the Minneapolis Fed’s Center for Indian Country Development
December 13, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. CT
Virtual video event
Information on our communities teaches us about ourselves and helps us tell our stories. For too long, data gaps in Indian Country have masked Native economic contributions and limited policymakers’ understanding of how to best direct resources. Today, tribal governments are advancing data-collection systems on their own terms, and new partnerships between Native communities and federal agencies are increasing Native Americans’ representation in national datasets.
We invite you to join us December 13 for an event focused on innovative ways that Native communities, policymakers, and researchers are gathering and working with data to tell a more complete story of Indian Country. This event culminates the Center for Indian Country Development’s (CICD’s) 2023 webinar series: Cultivating Native Economies in the 21st Century.
Our December 13 event will feature conversations with tribal leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners who are strengthening their collection and use of data—in ways that honor tribal data sovereignty. Speakers working with tribal governments, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations will reflect on what data are still needed to provide a more complete picture of Indian Country. CICD staff will also demonstrate new data tools available for understanding local and national economic conditions and opportunities.
We hope you’ll be part of this important conversation.

IHS TSGAC Meeting
2023-12-13 - 2023-12-14 | Embassy Suites Washington DC, 900 10th St NEW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
IHS TSGAC MEETING
Wednesday, Dec 13 & Thursday, Dec 14 (AM)
Location: Embassy Suites, 900 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Virtual: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83198229977?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 831 9822 9977
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Draft Agenda

Health Information Technology (IT) Modernization Program Virtual Summit
2023-12-13 | Virtual Event
By letter dated November 13, 2023, the IHS Director invites Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to a 1-day virtual summit on the new IHS enterprise Electronic Health Record solution.
This event will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, from 11:00 a.m., through 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). The virtual summit will provide updates on the Health Information Technology Modernization Program and convene a caucus to enable Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to exchange viewpoints and share information on this important topic.

Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Virtual Summit Agenda
Register for the Virtual Summit

HUD Consultation on Indian Community Development Block Grant
2023-12-12 11:30 | Virtual Event
December 12 at 12:30 pm Eastern
Join the Meeting
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is beginning the rulemaking process on the Indian Community Development Block Grant program regulations (24 CFR 1003) and is hosting a consultation to get feedback from Tribal Nation leaders. Specifically, the Office of Native American Programs is seeking Tribal Nation feedback on these regulations, which have not been updated in nearly two decades. The virtual consultation session will take place on Tuesday, December 12, beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST.
Learn more.

IRS Virtual Workshop for Tribal Clean Energy Credits
2023-12-12 11:00 | Virtual Event
December 12 at 12:00 pm Eastern
The IRS will be sending a Microsoft Teams invite in a future email. Subscribe to the IRS email list.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a virtual outreach workshop on Tuesday, December 12th at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss clean energy tax credits for tribes. These credits were included as part of last year’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and opened up new options to tribes through Elect/Direct Pay tax credits.
The IRS will be sending a Microsoft Teams invite in a future email.
The IRA allows Indian tribal governments and Alaskan Native Corporations to benefit from certain clean energy tax credits through elective pay. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, an applicable entity that qualifies for a clean energy tax credit can make an elective payment election. This election will treat certain credits as a payment against their federal income tax liabilities rather than as a nonrefundable credit. The amount of the credit will first offset any tax liability of the entity and any excess will be refundable.

Department of Energy Tribal Consultation
2023-12-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
December 11 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
Register
Monday, December 11, 2023, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET – virtual consultation on updating Department of Energy’s (DOE) order and policy governing Tribal consultation and engagement
The deadline for written comments has been extended to January 31, 2024. Written comments should be sent to tribalconsultation@hq.doe.gov.
In the coming months, DOE will finalize a revision of its Order and Policy to support the Department’s increased government-to-government engagement with Tribal governments. DOE looks forward to engaging with Tribal governments on how the provisions included in the Presidential Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation should be implemented prior to the revision of the Department’s current Order and Policy.

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Tribal Leader Consultation Work Group
2023-12-11 10:30 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Register
On Monday, December 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be conducting a government-to-government consultation with the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Tribal Leader Consultation Work Group. The consultation session will be held in person with a virtual option for attendance.
