1. NAFOA NEWS
The Economy Needs Tribal Nations to Succeed, The Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act is how Congress makes that happen
By: Cory M. Blankenship, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Executive Director of NAFOA
The Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act is now in both chambers of Congress. Tribal nations must make it clear to Congress that the time for action is now.
Tribal nations are economic drivers across the United States. Tribes operate healthcare centers, build roads, develop affordable housing, generate energy, and employ hundreds of thousands of people, tribal and non-tribal alike. These are not fringe economic contributions. They are the backbone of rural economies from North Carolina to Alaska.
Yet despite their status as sovereign governments, tribal nations operate at a profound structural disadvantage when it comes to the most basic tools of public finance.
The reform act — introduced in the Senate as S.2022 by Sens. Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and in the House as H.R. 7705 by Reps. Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin, and David Schweikert, R-Arizona — is the legislative correction that closes this gap.
Source: ICT
2. CONFERENCE:
She’s Got the Mic: Meet #NAFOA2026 Emcee, Adrianne Chalepah
NAFOA is excited to welcome Adrianne Chalepah, a multi-talented Native American artist and member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. Adrianne’s storytelling journey began in stand-up with 49 Laughs Comedy. She has performed across the country with her co-founded group Three Sisters Comedy and has gone on to act in Reservation Dogs, Rutherford Falls, and The Curse.
Adrianne is a 2021 Yes, And Laughter Lab finalist, an MFA holder, a public speaker, and a mother of four whose work blends humor with culturally informed storytelling. We’re thrilled to have her lead us through #NAFOA2026.
Prices increase for on-site registration. Please note that on-site registration is not available for professionals; all professional registrations must be completed prior to the conference.
3. TRIBAL CONSULTATION:
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Programs
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is hosting a Tribal consultation on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) entitled “Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Program.” This consultation will be held virtually on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Pursuant to the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, the NPRM proposes revisions to fundamentally reform the requirements for financial institutions’ anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) programs maintained by casinos and other financial institutions that may be owned by Tribal governments.
Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury
Read the Dear Tribal Leader Letter →
Register for the Consultation →
4. ADVOCACY:
Sign-On Letter: SBA 8(a) Application Freeze
The Native American Contractors Association (NACA) has been tracking an issue regarding the effective pause of 8(a) application approvals at the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA has not approved any new, individually or entity owned, 8(a) application since August 2025. This has created significant challenges for Native federal contractors
NACA has prepared a sign-on letter to amplify this issue. They have raised the issue directly with the SBA and Congress and are now seeking as many Native contractor signers as possible. The letter will be shared with all relevant Congressional Members with constituents that sign on to amplify this message.
Native-owned businesses interested in signing on are encouraged to contact qcarroll@nativecontractors.org to be added to the list. The deadline to sign on is April 27, 2026.
Source: Native American Contractors Association
5. JOB OPPORTUNITY:
Policy Specialist, NAFOA
We’re seeking a full-time Policy Specialist to join our remote team. The position plays a crucial role in advancing Tribal economies and strengthening Tribal finance through policy research, analysis, and advocacy at the federal level. The Policy Specialist conducts comprehensive research on federal policies affecting Tribal economies, analyzes proposed legislation and regulations, and assesses their potential impact on Tribal governments and enterprises.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to info@nafoa.org with the subject line “Policy Specialist Position.” Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
