1. WEBINAR:
WEBINAR ON TRIBAL ENERGY FINANCING PROGRAM, TUESDAY, JUNE 4 AT 1PM ET
During the 42nd Annual NAFOA Conference, the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) Director Jigar Shah shared with attendees an overview of the recent conditional commitment for a loan guarantee to the Viejas Microgrid and/or microgrid projects for high-load centers like gaming, hospitality, and retail facilities — can be great candidates for the Tribal Energy Financing Program.
To follow up on the announcement, NAFOA will host a webinar with the Department of Energy on Tuesday, June 4, from 1-2 p.m. EDT. Members of the Tribal Energy Finance Program team will share more about how solar-plus-storage and microgrid projects can address the needs of Tribes’ high-load facilities, how LPO would work with Tribes on such projects, and answer questions about the topics.
If you are unable to attend the live webinar, we encourage you still register to receive the recording and presentation afterward. Webinar materials will be sent to registrants within 2-3 business days.
2. POLICY:
HIGHLIGHTS FROM TREASURY TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 14TH PERIODIC MEETING
The Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC) held its 14th Periodic Meeting on May 15, 2024. The public meeting was held at the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) in Washington, D.C. All six TTAC tribal members were in attendance, either in person or virtually:
- Chair: W. Ron Allen, Tribal Chair and CEO of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
- Cora White Horse, Council Member, Oglala Sioux
- Will Micklin, 4th Vice President of the Central Council of Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
- Rodney Butler, Chairman of Mashantucket Pequot Tribe
- Martin Tucker, Chief Financial Officer of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Chief Allan, Chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe
Also in attendance were:
- Treasurer of the United States Marilynn Malerba, Chief of the Mohegan Tribe
- Treasury Deputy Secretary Adewale O. “Wally” Adeyemo
- Treasury Designated Federal Officers
- Krishna Vallabhaneni, Tax Legislative Counsel, Office of Tax Policy
- Fatima Abbas, Director, Office of Tribal and Native Affairs
Additionally present were Commissioner of Tax Exempt and Government Entities Edward Killen, Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Lisa M. Gomez, Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administrator, U.S. Department of Labor; and representatives from the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.
3. IN THE NAFOA NAVIGATOR:
LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE SEVENTH GENERATION – AN ONEIDA SUCCESS STORY
Innovative financing enables Central New York Indian Nation to expand its sustainable, diversified and self-sufficient economic development
The Oneida Indian Nation, a federally recognized Indian nation, has approximately 1,000 enrolled members within its 300,000-acre reservation, located in Madison and Oneida counties in Central New York State. The people and leadership of the Oneida Indian Nation have identified principles and long-range goals to guide both the community and its economic development endeavors. For example, Oneida tradition requires Nation leaders and members to consider the impact upon the seventh generation in all decision-making processes.
Oneida’s flagship property, Turning Stone Resort Casino, stands as a renowned destination featuring world-class hospitality amenities, diversified revenue streams and a loyal customer base. In addition, Turning Stone Resort Casino operates gaming activities and related amenities at Point Place Casino, YBR Casino & Sports Book, The Lake House at Sylvan Beach and six of the Nation’s 12 convenience store locations. All these operations are in addition to Oneida’s diverse array of economic development initiatives ranging from its successful retail operations, its thriving IT services business serving the Department of Defense, its vast array of award-winning outdoor recreation offerings, and its unique partnership with Tesla.
4. MUST READ: IN REVERSAL, IRS PLANS TO LET N.D. HELP TRIBES ON CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
More than a year after pressuring North Dakota to stop helping Native American tribes collect child support payments, the IRS says it intends to let the state do so again.
The tax agency is working on a plan to allow North Dakota to resume submitting information on behalf of tribes so their families can receive child-support payments funded by garnishments of tax refunds, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told The Washington Post on Thursday. Werfel spoke to The Post days after it reported that hundreds of tribal families had lost access to those child support payments.
“The more I have learned about this issue, the more I believe that the best approach is to not disrupt the sharing of this information, because that would have a negative outcome on child support programs,” Werfel said.
Earlier this week, the IRS said it had not taken any action to block tribes that use garnished tax refunds for child-support payments, and described North Dakota’s cessation of its tribal assistance program as “a state decision, not an IRS decision.”
5. JOBS:
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS IS SEEKING CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The Chief Financial Officer has overall responsibility for effective management of all financial activity for the Pechanga Tribal Government. The broad areas of duty include auditing, governmental accounting, payroll and payroll reporting, per capita payments, employee and Tribal Member benefits including self-insurance, financing, investments, taxation and General Welfare Exclusions, forecasting, financial valuations, and budgeting.
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