April 7: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week

Flashback to 2019! We were honored to have Minnesota Lieutenant Governor and current U.S. Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan address our Member Tribes at the Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference. We're thrilled to welcome her back as a speaker at the upcoming 43rd Annual Conference! (Pictured left-to-right: former NAFOA President Cristina Danforth with Lt. Gov Flanagan)

1. CONFERENCE: Celebrating Native Women in Leadership Roles at #NAFOA2025

During the General Session on Tuesday, April 29th, join us to hear directly from trailblazing Native Women who have broken barriers in historic leadership roles. These groundbreaking leaders will share personal journeys that illuminate both challenges and triumphs in their ascent to influential roles. Their unique perspectives offer invaluable insights on effective governance, cultural wisdom, and the evolving landscape of Indian Country.

Speakers:

  • Lynn Malerba, Lifetime Chief, Mohegan Tribe
  • Affie Ellis, Managing Partner, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
  • Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota Lt. Governor and Candidate for U.S. Senate

2. FOR TRIBES: State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLRF) Project and Expenditure Report

The State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLRF) Project and Expenditure Report for all recipients is due by April 30, 2025. The reporting portal was open in late March 2025. In preparation for this important deadline, Tribes should verify their total allocation, which may include a third payment as a result of Treasury’s reallocation of unclaimed SLFRF.

Each Tribe is required to meet compliance and reporting responsibilities, as further described in the Compliance and Reporting Guidance. All projects, regardless of expenditure category, require a set of “standard” data fields. Some of these fields, such as project name and project ID, are static and do not change across reporting periods. It is important that Tribes carefully update the following fields:

  • Obligations and Expenditures
  • Project Start and End Date
  • Status of Completion
  • Description of the Project

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury


3. MUST READ: Building a Native Economy: Apache Corners and the Tonto Apache Nation Flexing Their Economic Sovereignty

In response to the challenges of post-pandemic growth and shifts in federal funding, the Tonto Apache Nation has taken a bold step toward achieving economic sovereignty. Under the leadership of the Tribal Council and Chairman Calvin Johnson, the Nation committed in 2020 to optimizing economic opportunities and building a self-sustaining economy. Chairman Johnson emphasized their strategic approach:

“We are not just recruiting fast-food chains; we have carefully researched economic opportunities that will provide lasting benefits to our citizens and the entire region. By capturing dollars that previously left our economy, we can establish a strong foundation that creates jobs and increases tax revenue for the City of Payson, Star Valley, and all of Rim Country.”

Situated adjacent to the City of Payson—roughly 90 miles northeast of the Phoenix metropolitan area—the Tonto Apache Nation is spearheading transformative development with Apache Corners (www.ApacheCorners.com). This ambitious project is designed to serve as a catalyst for regional economic growth.

Source: Native News Online


4. ACCOUNTING: GASB Preliminary Views for Public Comment

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued a Preliminary Views (PV) for public comment on proposals associated with accounting and financial reporting for severe financial stress and probable dissolution disclosures. Stakeholders are asked to review and provide input on the document by June 30, 2025. Comments may be submitted either through a comment letter or an electronic input form.

Source: Governmental Accounting Standards Board


5. JOBS: Senior Assistant General Counsel,
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation

This role serves under the general oversight of the General Counsel. Provides legal advice to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council, tribal departments and economic enterprises. Represents the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation (Nation or FMYN) in matters brought in Tribal, State and Federal court.


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