1. CONFERENCE: NAFOA Board Elections to Take Place at #NAFOA2025
NAFOA will hold elections for the positions of First Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer at the 43rd Annual Conference. Nominations will be accepted until 2 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025.
If you are interested in running for a position, please read and complete the Board Election Guidelines and Nomination Form.
Board Members are volunteers, who have experience and understanding of tribal finance or economic development. Board Members must be members of a recognized Tribe, and serve staggered two-year terms. Candidates will be able to address conference attendees during the General Session on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Voting will take place in the registration area between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Everyone registered and present at NAFOA’s 43rd Annual Conference is entitled to cast an individual vote.
2. POLICY: Action Alert: The Office of Representative Sharice Davids Offers Freeze Survey to Evaluate the Impact of the Federal Funding Freeze on Tribal Nations
On January 28th, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum requiring federal agencies to temporarily pause all grants, loans, and other financial assistance. Shortly after, on January 29th, 2025, the OMB rescinded this memorandum. The effects of the federal funding freeze remain uncertain, raising concerns about its continued impact on federal programs and Tribal nations.
Over the past couple of months, NAFOA has engaged in multiple Member Tribe roundtable discussions, during which Member Tribes shared various stories of the impact of the federal funding freeze.
NAFOA and the Office of Representative Sharice Davids are encouraging Tribes to share their stories about disruptions to funding, services, or notifications from federal agencies.
Read the Full Article Alert >>
3. MUST READ: Federal Contract Consolidation Poses Advantages and Hurdles for Native Entity Enterprises
Contract consolidation is a practice that simplifies the acquisition of goods and services by the U.S. government. The practice can decrease the overall administrative cost for the federal government, but contract consolidation has known trade-offs for small business contractors.
What contract consolidation might mean specifically for Native entity enterprises has not been thoroughly explored. Recently, as part of work to advance the economic self-determination and prosperity of Native nations and Indigenous communities through actionable data and research, the Center for Indian Country Development team began looking into that question.
Article Highlights:
- The number of consolidated federal contracts grew twentyfold from 2010 to 2023.
- Native entity enterprises face obstacles in securing consolidated contracts.
- The small share of Native entity enterprises securing consolidated contract dollars has increased across some sectors.
Source: Center for Indian Country Development, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
4. MEMBER TRIBE NEWS: Cherokee Nation donates $7.6M to Oklahoma Schools
An annual tradition, the Cherokee Nation handed out checks to school districts across the reservation using funds from tribal car tag sales. The money, totaling $7.6 million, was distributed to 107 schools at an appreciation-themed event March 25 at the Cherokee Nation’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Funding is used at each school’s discretion.
“We received a few grants from Cherokee Nation this year, and last year we used a lot on athletics,” Superintendent Amanda Long said. “So, we’re really hoping to put this more towards academics and some of the new things that we’re looking to move forward with for next year.”
Source: ICT News
5. JOBS: Director of Financial Reporting, Four Winds Casino Resort
The Director of Financial Reporting must have advanced knowledge and understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting requirements, and financial statement analysis. The director must also ensure compliance with GAAP by following established policies, procedures, and controls.
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