United South & Eastern Tribes

Sovereign Nations of Virginia Conference: Green Economic Development on Tribal Lands
2023-09-14 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Eastern
Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center
11000 Virginia Center Parkway
Glen Allen, VA 23059
Register to attend virtually or in-person
Green Economic Development fosters economic growth and sustainability for Tribal Nations, enables them to exercise their sovereign rights, while at the same time protects natural and cultural resources on which the well being of all living species relies.

HUD Webinar on Tribal Directory Assessment Tool
2023-09-13 14:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
The Department of Housing and Urban Development will be hosting a series of webinars to provide information on how the Tribal Directory Assessment Tool (TDAT) has been updated, including how comments were addressed, and how many Tribes may provide information.
August 16 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
September 13 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
October 11 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Register

Community Voices and Cross-Sector Collaboration to Advance Health Equity
2023-09-13 | Virtual Event
Building on the success of last year’s event, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Region 4 Health Equity Council would like to invite you to attend its 2023 health equity summit, “Community Voices and Cross-Sector Collaboration to Advance Health Equity“. The goal of this summit is to provide a forum for discussing and sharing innovative solutions and best practices for progressing health equity within the Southeastern states on the Federal, State, and Local levels.
This hybrid event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 2023 and is open to all working in the space of addressing social determinants of health as an approach to achieving health equity. Please feel free to share this information via your respective networks.
To view more about the event, use this Eventbrite link.
To register, use this Zoom link.

UNDRIP Day
2023-09-13 | 123 Easy Street, Nashville, TN, 37211, United States
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Day is celebrated every year on September 13. In honor of this day, USET/USET SPF offices are closed. Learn more about UNDRIP.

White House Tribal Consultation on Revised NEPA Regulations
2023-09-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
September 12 at 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Register
The White House Council on Environmental Quality will be holding consultations on proposed revised NEPA regulations. The proposed rule includes tribal provisions, including ones related to the incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge into environmental reviews, consideration of reserved rights in environmental reviews, and exclusion from NEPA review for certain actions approved by Tribal Nations on tribal trust lands. The consultation session will take place on September 12 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT.

IMLS Nation-to-Nation Listening Session
2023-09-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
On behalf of the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) Director Crosby Kemper, you are cordially invited to join a virtual Tribal Listening Session taking place on September 12, 2023. Please save the date and register using the link below.
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm ET
Location: Virtual via Zoom. Please click here to register
Our agenda includes:

Welcome and Opening Blessing
IMLS Overview
Director’s Remarks
IMLS Responses to Previous Tribal Consultation/Feedback (~40 minutes)

IMLS Tribal Relations Summary
Grant-making
Research and Evaluation
Policy and Collaboration

Open Floor for Tribal Leaders and Participants (~50 Minutes)
Topics for discussion include, but are not limited to:

Reflections on agency updates
Trends in funding needs and experiences
Current community needs

During the Open Floor portion of the Listening Session, speaking priority will be given to Tribal Leaders and their Proxies. If time remains, we welcome others to share their thoughts and comments. We always welcome written comments (via email or the Zoom chat) or phone calls as well!
We invite you to pass this information along to Tribal leadership and staff who you feel would be appropriate to attend, such as those working with your Tribe’s library, museum, archives, cultural centers, or related grants. Please be aware that there may also be others in attendance, including representatives of organizations that serve Native interests.
If you have any questions or comments, or if you would like to request reasonable accommodations, please contact Brianna Ingram at bingram@imls.gov or 202-653-4616.

Treasury Consultation on Interim Final Rule for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund
2023-09-12 12:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Treasury has issued a Dear Tribal Leader Letter announcing a Tribal consultation on an Interim Final Rule for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF). The SLFRF allocates $20 billion for Tribal governments to support response and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. In December 2022, Congress amended the SLFRF program in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 to provide additional flexibility for SLFRF recipients to use funds to respond to natural disasters, build critical infrastructure, and support community development. An Interim Final Rule for the SLFRF was published and became effective on August 9, 2023 to implement the SLFRF changes made in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Treasury is now consulting and seeking comments on the Interim Final Rule.
Details regarding the upcoming Tribal consultation are as follows—

Date/Time: September 12, 2023 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm ET
Click Here to Register

For additional information and Framing Questions for the upcoming consultation, please view the Dear Tribal Leader Letter. The deadline to submit comments is Friday, October 13, 2023 and can be sent to tribal.consult@treasury.gov.

2023 USET Tribal Utility Summit
2023-09-12 08:00 - 2023-09-14 17:00 | Dansfords Hotel and Marina, 25 E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY, 11777, United States
The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management presents
2023 Tribal Utility Summit
The Host Tribal Nation is the Shinnecock Indian Nation
United South and Eastern Tribes’ (USET) Tribal Utility Summit is dedicated to provide technical assistance and training to USET member Tribal Nation’s water/wastewater utilities to assist with the quality of services to their communities, which in turn, improves quality of life. The Tribal Utility Summit focuses on technical, managerial, and financial information for water/wastewater systems, provides networking opportunities to learn about best practices, and offers continuing education units for professional development and/or license renewal and maintenance.

Printer-friendly agenda
Mobile-friendly agenda

When: September 12-14, 2023, at 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Eastern each day

Where: Danfords Hotel and Marina, 25 E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Discounted room rate is $147.00/night. This special group rate expires on August 11.
To make your reservation, please call (631) 928-5200 or (800) 332-6367, and give them the Group Room Block Code, 2023USET, to receive the special group rate.

Who should attend: All USET member Tribal Nation Utility professionals, Tribal Leaders, Environmental professionals, Emergency Management Services professionals, and Laboratory Technicians. As well as, vendors, federal agency partners and educational partners.

Attendees will receive:

Federal agency updates
Federal financial assistance updates for infrastructure
USET resources
Indian Health Service Engineering program
Bureau of Indian Affairs resources
Vendor information on equipment
Networking opportunities
Educational opportunities

Register: Register today.

Stipends: Travel stipends are available to USET member Tribal Nation staff on a limited basis and must be approved in advance by USET. Reimbursement will be made to the USET member Tribal Nation and not the individual participants.

Continuing Education Credits: Twelve Continuing educations units will be issued pending approval from USET’s Certification Board

Meeting App

Download the USET/USET SPF Events app from your app store. Then within the app search for USET 2023 Tribal Utility Summit. Download the event to the app. You can use it to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, create your personal schedule, view all agendas, and connect with attendees.
If you have used the app for a previous USET meeting, you will need to exit that event. Click on your profile, go to settings, and click “exit the event” at the bottom of the screen. Then search for USET 2023 Tribal Utility Summit and download the event to your app.

Open the app in Google Play
Open the app in the Apple Store

COVID Protocols
The USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (USET TEC) is a recognized public health authority supported by the Tribal Nations within the USET region. Throughout the course of the COVID pandemic, we have relied on their expertise to guide us to ensure for the overall safety, health, and wellness for our members, staff, and event attendees. As the impacts of COVID have evolved, we have continued to assess our protocols to ensure that they remain reflective of the current status of the pandemic.
Currently (as of 04/17/2023, subject to change), USET is no longer requiring proof of vaccination to attend USET-sponsored meetings. A supply of masks and tests will be made available for attendees to use at their discretion.

For questions, please contact Jane Wilson, USET OERM Program Manager, at jwilson@usetinc.org.

2023 Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Enhancement Training
2023-09-12 - 2023-09-14
Celebrating 25 Years of Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts
September 12-14, 2023
Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation
Event website

HUD Virtual Training | Structured Rents
2023-09-12 - 2023-09-14 | Virtual Event
Have you ever wondered if there are other ways to calculate house payments? This three-day course explores various methods to determine house payments that contribute to sound management practice. This course will teach you how to determine house payments and subsidy requirements, examining affordability, income-based calculations, breaking even, and lease with options to purchase payments.

POSTPONED: USET Hepatitis C/HIV/Substance Use Disorder Clinical Training
2023-09-12 - 2023-09-14 | Doubletree by Hilton Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay, 1717 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL, 33132-1180, United States
POSTPONED: USET staff have been monitoring Hurricane Lee and for the safety and protection of staff and Tribal citizens, we have decided to officially postpone our USET Hepatitis C/HIV/Substance Use Disorder Clinical Training to early 2024. More information will be forthcoming.

USET Hepatitis C/HIV/Substance Use Disorder Clinical Training
presented by the USET Tribal Health Program Support Department
During the pandemic, Tribal Nations saw a rise in injectable drug use. This resulted in an increased number of new Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV infections. People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk for HIV and HCV infections. USET Tribal Health Program Support is providing this important training to its member Tribal Nations to enhance knowledge for prevention, harm-reduction, and clinical approaches.
Final Agenda
When: September 12-14, 2023 at 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Eastern each day
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay, 1717 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33132-1180

Book your hotel room by August 25 to receive the discounted rate of $139/night.
1 night room and tax deposit is required upon booking, fully refundable up to 7 days prior to arrival.
Complimentary Internet Access will be provided on all guestrooms.
Discounted Valet Parking at $25.00 per night, per vehicle.
Group Reservation Options and Instructions

Should you have any issues booking a room through this link or wish to book a room directly via phone or email, or wish to upgrade to premium room type you may contact the Reservations’ Coordinator, Ms. Ana Zepeda at (305) 523-3310 or Ana.Zepeda2@hilton.com
Who should attend: USET member Tribal Nation health directors, clinic staff, physicians, nurses, case managers, and anyone supporting USET member Tribal Nation citizens in the health sector are welcome to join.
The training will provide attendees with the ability to:

Recognize the importance of universal screening and universal treatment of HCV and HIV.
Examine the epidemiology and prevalence of Hepatitis C, HIV, and Substance Use Disorder in relation to Indian Country – with an emphasis in the USET region.
Describe the newest HCV and HIV antiviral treatments including indications and side effects.
Describe the newest Substance Use Disorder medicated assisted treatments including indications and side effects.
Learn about the best practices in Indian Country for HCV, HIV, and Substance Use Disorder.
Establish a teleconferencing mentoring system for HCV, HIV, and Substance Use Disorder patients utilizing the ECHO model.

Registration: Register today.
Travel Stipends: USET will allot up to two stipends upon request for staff members from each USET member Tribal Nation to supplement travel expenses to attend the Clinical Training. Stipend payments will be mailed directly to the USET member Tribal Nation upon verification of full event attendance.
Continuing Education Credits: Continuing education credit will be offered for various health professions. More information will be available soon.
For questions, please contact Bryan Hendrix, USET Quality Improvement Data Analyst, at bhendrix @usetinc.org.

Louisiana Rural Economic Development Summit
2023-09-12 - 2023-09-13 | Paragon Casino Resort, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, LA, 71351, United States
September 11-12, 2023
Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, LA
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Southern University Law Center invite you
to learn more about how rural communities and businesses can benefit from building
relationships and creating strategic partnerships with local, state, and national
leaders, federal agencies, corporate America and Tribal Nations.
Topics will include workforce development, agriculture, broadband and 5G expansion,
healthcare, grant navigation, and more.
To register, or for more info: call 318-264-1799 or visit sulc.edu/LaRuE

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule Public Meeting
2023-09-11 12:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
EQ will conduct four virtual public meetings for the proposed rule on

Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT;
Wednesday, August 30, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT;
Monday, September 11, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT; and
Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.

For additional information and to register for the meetings, please visit CEQ’s website at www.nepa.gov.
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is proposing this “Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule” to revise its regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including to implement the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s amendments to NEPA. CEQ proposes the revisions to provide for an effective environmental review process that promotes better decision making; ensure full and fair public involvement; provide for an efficient process and regulatory certainty; and provide for sound decision making grounded in science, including consideration of relevant environmental, climate change, and environmental justice effects. CEQ proposes these changes to better align the provisions with CEQ’s extensive experience implementing NEPA; CEQ’s perspective on how NEPA can best inform agency decision making; longstanding Federal agency experience and practice; NEPA’s statutory text and purpose, including making decisions informed by science; and case law interpreting NEPA’s requirements. CEQ invites comments on the proposed revisions.
You may submit comments, identified by docket number CEQ–2023–0003, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202–456–6546.
Mail: Council on Environmental Quality, 730 Jackson Place NW, Washington, DC 20503.

DOI & BIA Engagement Sessions on Renewable Energy Accelerated Deployment Initiative
2023-09-11, 2023-09-07, 2023-09-06
The U.S. Department of the Interior (Department) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are hosting six engagement sessions throughout August and September on the Renewable Energy Accelerated Deployment Initiative for Indian Country (READI). Through these engagement sessions, the BIA intends to better understand and gather input on 1) what Tribal Nations need to proactively promote Tribal renewable energy development and 2) what the BIA should do to address Tribal needs with respect to renewable energy development.
The engagement session dates and times are as follows:

Monday, Aug. 21, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa, Catoosa, OK
Thursday, Aug. 24, Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula, CA
Monday, Aug. 28, Wild Horse Resort and Casino, Pendleton, OR
Wednesday, Sept. 6, via Zoom
Thursday, Sept. 7, via Zoom
Monday, Sept. 11, National Indian Programs Training Center, Albuquerque, NM
Sept. 2023, Hybrid Midwest/Eastern Area

The Department offers a travel stipend for one representative from your Tribal nation to attend one of the in-person engagement sessions. For travel stipend arrangements, please send a request to READI@bia.gov.
They welcome your written comments, which can be submitted by completing a form or emailing READI@bia.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.
For more information on the Renewable Energy Accelerated Deployment Initiative (READI) visit the website bia.gov/readi

USET Infectious Disease ECHO
2023-09-08 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.
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

The September session will focus on Syphilis.
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.

Department of Transportation Webinar: Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART)
2023-09-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
September 7 at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern
Zoom link
If prompted, the meeting ID is 1617797302 and the passcode is [REDACTED]. Registration is not required.
The U.S. Department Transportation (USDOT) is pleased to announce that on Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST, USDOT will host a webinar on the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant program (see attached letter) established by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. A Notice of Funding Opportunity on the SMART grant program was recently released by USDOT and this webinar will inform how Tribes may apply for the funding. The funding in the SMART program will support initiatives that focus on smart technologies that improve transportation safety and efficiency.

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Round 2 Webinar: Mapping Requirements
2023-09-07 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.

DOJ’s Civil Rights Division Efforts Concerning Native Americans
2023-09-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
The Civil Rights Division within the Department of Justice was created following the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The Civil Rights Division works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all persons in the United States, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. One area the Civil Rights Division is very focused on is duties and responsibilities to Indian Country and Native American people. The Civil Rights Division is always looking for additional outreach and educational opportunities concerning Native American issues within the Division, within the Department of Justice, and throughout the country. Accordingly, this webinar will provide information about the work of the Division and will focus on its efforts in the areas of Voting, Disability Rights, Education and Employment as they pertain to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The target audience for this webinar is federal, state and tribal criminal justice and social service professionals, civil rights advocates, citizens and elected and traditional leaders. The webinar is free.
When: September 7, 2023 from 2 to 3:30 pm EDT
Registration Deadline: September 1, 2023
You will be notified of the status of you registration by September 6, 2023.

National Indian Country Training Initiative: DOJ's Civil Rights Division Efforts Concerning Native Americans
2023-09-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
National Indian Country Training Initiative Online Training Announcement
Title: DOJ’s Civil Rights Division Efforts Concerning Native Americans
Date: September 7, 2023, from 2 to 3:30 pm EDT
Register
The Civil Rights Division within the Department of Justice was created following the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The Civil Rights Division works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all persons in the United States, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. One area the Civil Rights Division is very focused on is duties and responsibilities to Indian Country and Native American people. The Civil Rights Division is always looking for additional outreach and educational opportunities concerning Native American issues within the Division, within the Department of Justice, and throughout the country. Accordingly, this webinar will provide information about the work of the Division and will focus on its efforts in the areas of Voting, Disability Rights, Education and Employment as they pertain to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The target audience for this webinar is federal, state and tribal criminal justice and social service professionals, civil rights advocates, citizens, and elected and traditional leaders. The webinar if free.
This media and materials are for Department of Justice use and subject to protection from release under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. section 552.
Registration deadline: September 1, 2023
You will be notified of the status of you registration by September 6, 2023

NCUIH Webinar: Infection Prevention Control in Primary Care Settings
2023-09-07 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
September 7 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
As a proud partner with Project Firstline, the CDC’s National Training Collaborative for Healthcare Infection Control, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) will use this virtual training to educate frontline healthcare workers on key concepts, actions, and tools related to IPC in the context of UIOs that provide primary care. Attendees will have the opportunity to reinforce their IPC knowledge and will also have the opportunity to engage with subject matter experts and other UIOs.
Objectives:

To improve UIO workers’ knowledge and understanding of key IPC concepts and actions within primary care settings.
To improve UIO workers’ awareness of how IPC can be easily integrated into their everyday work.
To create space for peer-to-peer learning and sharing on IPC between UIOs.

Presenters:

Daliyah Killsback (Northern Cheyenne, Assonet Band of Wampanoag) – IPC Fellow, National Council of Urban Indian Health
Karen Kwok – NCUIH Contractor
Debbie Dahl – Infection Prevention and Control Manager, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic

Audience:

UIO Staff
IPC Champions

Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee Public Meeting
2023-09-07 12:00 | Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, United States
September 7 at 1:00 pm Eastern
The TTAC will convene a public meeting held in person at the Treasury Building in Washington, DC and is open to the public.
Register here by 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, September 4, 2023.
Members of the public wishing to comment on the business of the TTAC are invited to submit written comments by emailing TTAC@treasury.gov. Comments are requested no later than 15 calendar days before the Public Meeting in order to be considered by the TTAC. Treasury will post all comments received on its website.

Listening Session Regarding Potential Uniform State ICWA Law
2023-09-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leaders, Tribal Counsel, and Tribal Organizations,
Please find attached a Dear Tribal Leader letter from the Uniform Law Commission (ULC). As you may have heard, the ULC is currently evaluating whether to move forward with the process of drafting a uniform State ICWA law. As part of its discussion, the ULC believes that it is imperative to hold a listening session and solicit comments from tribal leaders or their designees.
The listening session will take place on September 6 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET and more information is included in the attached letter. The link to register for the meeting is here:
https://uniformlaws.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctdu-hrzsuHtf7iT3O6BSOJ2AygKcva9pT
While the listening session is taking place soon, the ULC will accept written comments until September 30, 2023.

Advance Appropriations Implementation Listening Sessions
2023-09-06 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
August 8, 2023
Dear Tribal Leader and Urban Indian Organization Leader:
I am writing to invite you to participate in Agency-sponsored Listening Sessions to share information and solicit your input on advance appropriations implementation. We will host two identical Listening Sessions on August 17, 2023, and September 6, 2023.
Congress enacted the first ever advance appropriations for the IHS in fiscal year (FY) 2023, providing $5.1 billion in FY 2024 resources that will become available on October 1, 2023. The advance appropriations provides the full-year FY 2023 funding level for nearly all IHS funding in the Services and Facilities accounts. Congress will determine a final appropriations level for the Agency in the FY 2024 appropriations process.
During the Listening Sessions, the IHS will share additional information on implementation plans and strategies for advance appropriations, and seek input from Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders. The information discussed in these sessions will be used to prepare public facing Frequently Asked Questions and other helpful materials.
Information to Attend Our Virtual Listening Sessions
Please make plans to attend a virtual listening session. Session details follow:

Thursday, August 17, 2023, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Eastern Time
https://ihs-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1610168198
Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Eastern Time
https://ihs-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1608717068

We appreciate your feedback and insight on advance appropriations implementation. If you have
questions, please contact Ms. Jillian Curtis, Chief Financial Officer, IHS, by e-mail at
jillian.curtis@ihs.gov.
Sincerely,
Roselyn Tso
IHS Director

HUD In-Person Conveyance Process Training
2023-09-06 - 2023-09-07
September 6-7 at 11:00 am – 4:00 pm Eastern
Register
Location: The Courtyard/Resident Inn Phoenix Downtown
A special rate of $134/night plus local tax has been blocked for this event. Use the link below to access more information about this hotel accommodation.)
This training assists Tribal Nations and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) in completing the proper steps to convey units as they are paid off. This class helps Tribal housing professionals and other interested individuals to understand their roles and responsibilities in transferring the housing unit, as well as helping homeowners understand their new responsibilities.

26th Biannual CDC/ATSDR Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting
2023-09-06 - 2023-09-07 | Virtual Event
On behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR), you are invited to the 26th Biannual CDC/ATSDR Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting, September 6-7, 2023 (6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. AKT • 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PT • 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MT • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT • 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET).
The meeting will be hosted by the Oneida Nation, and you are invited to attend virtually. Please use this registration link to receive access to the virtual meeting.
This meeting will provide opportunities for Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) members to engage with CDC leadership. CDC relies on the TAC to identify immediate and emerging public health issues in Indian Country. These topics will include, but are not limited to, tribal priorities for CDC /ATSDR and CDC programmatic highlights. The meeting agenda will be available on the CDC/ATSDR Tribal Advisory Committee Meeting webpage the summer of 2023.
For more information about the meeting, please contact the Office of Tribal Affairs and Strategic Alliances at TribalSupport@cdc.gov or 404-498-0300.

Tribal Consultation on Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions Program (TCPCTIP), Ready to Learn (RTL), and Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Programs
2023-09-05 12:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
September 5 at 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Register
Please follow the registration link above to participate in the consultation. To maintain online security, each attendee must register individually, and registration cannot be transferred to or used by others. Once you have completed registration, an individualized access link for the session will be sent to you with additional information.

On September 5, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will conduct a Tribal Consultation on the Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions Program (TCPCTIP), Ready to Learn Programming (RTL or Ready to Learn, formerly Ready to Learn Television), and Education Innovation and Research (EIR). The purpose of this consultation will be to receive meaningful input from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to ensure that Tribal leader views inform these programs administered by ED. This consultation will advance the Department’s commitment to uphold the federal trust responsibility described in Executive Order 13175.

Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions Program
The Department is considering waiving the requirements of 34 CFR 75.250 and 34 CFR 75.261(c), which limit project periods to 60 months and restrict project period extensions that involve the obligation of additional Federal funds. This action would extend the project period for the two current TCPCTIP grantees awarded grants under Perkins V in 2019 for FY 2024 and FY 2025, effectively resulting in a two-year extension. This action would depend on Congress continuing to authorize and appropriate funds under the existing program authority and would require the grantees to continue meeting the TCPCTIP requirements. Moreover, the Department would not announce a new competition or make new awards in FY 2024 or FY 2025, or in future years, if Congress continues to authorize and appropriate funds under the existing program authority. Based on FY 2023 appropriations, the Department expects to use an estimated $11,953,000 for FY 2024 grant extensions and $11,953,000 for FY 2025 grant extensions. We will consider continuation award requests under the current TCPCTIP statutory authority, subject to the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253, including the requirement that each grantee demonstrates that it is making substantial progress performing its TCPCTIP grant activities based on the requirements in the 2019 notice inviting applications.
The Department is considering this action to relieve the two TCPTIP grantees of the costs and time burden associated with submitting applications for a new competition in FY 2024. Please note that the Department took a similar action under Perkins IV; the Federal Register notice that announced the waivers under Perkins IV can be viewed here. TCPCTIP grantees first funded in 2007 received one-year grant extensions each year past the original project period until the Department conducted a new competition and made new awards under Perkins V in 2019.

Ready to Learn Programming
The Ready to Learn Programming (RTL) grant supports the development of educational ‘‘transmedia,’’ and grantees seek to create new, interrelated combinations of television and interactive media (games, apps, etc.) in which characters, narrative storylines, and problem-solving are used to support kindergarten readiness and early education for children ages 2-8. The RTL grant encourages partnerships that help promote the wider use of its educational media products in various settings, such as homes, daycare, libraries, museums, afterschool programs, and many other places where children learn. Tribal Consultation is critical to understand what subject matter content the focus of the next round of RTL (e.g., STEM, literacy, social-emotional learning, computational thinking) should be, and what strategies would be recommended for the dissemination and distribution of RTL-produced media and resources in reaching and serving Native communities and their young children.

Education Innovation and Research
The Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program supports efforts to use and build evidence on field-initiated innovation education to improve student achievement and attainment for high-needs students. Consultation is critical to understand what types of innovations are needed to serve Native communities, what emerging evidence exists on strategies to support students from Native communities, how EIR grantees might engage Native communities as potential implementation sites, what schools serving Native communities want to learn from EIR grantees, and how education leaders in Native communities might become involved as peer reviewers.

Written Comment Period
Written public comments for a topic will only be collected through the TribalConsultation@ed.gov email address. The comment period is now open, and all comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on 10/05/2023. The Department of Education remains steadfast in its commitment to honor the nation-to-nation relationship and advance Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
A Tribal government may designate information provided during the consultation as “sensitive” and request non-disclosure of the information to the public. Certain federal laws, including the Freedom of Information Act, may require disclosure of information designated sensitive by a Tribal government. Questions about this notice can be sent to TribalConsultation@ed.gov. This consultation is a closed press event.

Shinnecock Indian Powwow
2023-09-01 - 2023-09-04
The Shinnecock Indian Powwow is one of the largest Native American Gatherings on the East Coast. As we dance upon the earth we are reminded that our culture and love for one another is the resounding heartbeat that transcends all that we face; wherever we face it. We dance upon our drum. The sound of the drum and our footsteps are recorded year after year within the drum that we dance upon. We may be the only Nation that dances upon its drum.
​The trees that surround our circle also record our Powwow historical moments within their barks as they grow with the People. We dance with all of our relations, past and present, from nearby and from afar. We welcome home our distant families as well as our guests with open arms and prayers as we share ourselves, our culture, arts & crafts, good food and our ceremonies during each Labor Day weekend.
​We begin at 3pm on Friday with our first Grand Entry of dancers from all over the Americas at 7pm. Each day we host competitive dancing, guest entertainment, prayers, ceremonial dances, the acknowledgement of sponsors and visiting dignitaries. We honor our veterans for protecting this life as we know it. Grand Entry re-occurs each preceding day at 12:30pm and 7pm with the exception of Monday. We conclude Monday evening at 6pm with the awarding of prizes to our competing drums and dancers.
We also host 100 Native American arts, crafts and food vendors from all over the Americas. Cultural enrichment and the opportunity for cultural education abounds as Native American representatives from every region are available to demonstrate and share their stories to all who ask.
This celebration of tradition has been fostered by our community leaders and the Shinnecock Church to whom we are forever grateful. Each year as we fill ourselves with the excitement of the upcoming Powwow celebration, we are reminded of the other things we are thankful for. We thank our patrons for joining us each year. May your way continue to be beautiful.
Tabutne

Tribal consultation on an inter-agency Sacred Sites Best Practices Guide
2023-08-31 13:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Dear Tribal Leader Letter
August 31, 2023 at 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Register
The White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) seeks your guidance and recommendations through Tribal and Native Hawaiian Community consultation on a draft Best Practices Guide for Federal Agencies Regarding Tribal and Native Hawaiian Sacred Sites. The consultation will be held on Thursday, 31 August.
Written responses to the questions can be submitted to the WHCNAA email at whcnaa@bia.gov until 29 September, 2023. Please note that information shared during this consultation may be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
