1. NAFOA NEWS: NAFOA HONORS THE 2022 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS AT FALL CONFERENCE
For over a decade, the NAFOA Board of Directors has recognized innovative and influential Native American leaders who have devoted their careers to supporting the growth of tribal economic development within their communities and all of Indian Country. This year, the NAFOA Lifetime Achievement Awards were awarded to Chief Lynn Malerba and Ted Strong.
2. REMINDER: INSTRUCTIONS FOR REOPENING AND REEVALUATING SSI CLAIMS DENIED DUE TO COVID-19 DISASTER ASSISTANCE
“The agency is reopening cases where we may have denied an individual’s SSI claim based on the receipt and/or retention of pandemic-related financial assistance, which we initially counted for SSI purposes but later deemed to be excludable disaster assistance in
EM-20014 REV 5. We are sending outreach notices to affected individuals because they may now qualify for SSI, including retroactive payments.”
How can you help provide benefit awareness?
- Notices were mailed in November/December 2021, and
- Mailed notices again to the same persons in August/September 2022.
What You Need to Do:
Please call 1-800-722-1218 and request a phone appointment with your local field office about your claim. Phone lines are open weekdays from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may contact our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778. Please have your letter when you call.
3. CALL FOR RESOURCES: INDIGENOUS TOURISM COLLABORATIVE OF THE AMERICAS (ITCA) TO LAUNCH INDIGENOUS TOURISM RESOURCE PORTAL
The Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas (ITCA) is launching an Indigenous Tourism Resource Portal–a comprehensive online inventory of tourism development and management tools for Indigenous peoples and their stakeholders and partners.
The new portal is a vital part of ITCA’s action agenda in response to the global pandemic’s disproportionate effect on Indigenous communities. ITCA is asking for your help collecting existing tools and resources to include in the Portal. The variety of tools and topic areas we are collecting can be found at https://indigenoustourism.net/
Please visit this link and join us in making a difference in Indigenous communities throughout the world.
4. FROM THE NAFOA NAVIGATOR: FALL 2022 POLICY REPORT
As we approach the midpoint of the Biden administration the strong partisan divide continues. Fuel prices have dropped but concerns around inflation remain even as the most recent jobs report presents a strong forecast. The approaching midterm elections could shift control of one or both houses of Congress which could have impacts.
Looking ahead there are several different possibilities for major legislation that could be forthcoming this year. First, the annual appropriations legislation for the government’s fiscal year 2023 is being worked on. At the time of writing this report, while some of the various Departments have had their funding legislation passed in the House, as a whole Congress has not passed appropriations bills, and all will require some form of funding legislation. To do this, Congress is likely to pass a Continuing Resolution till after the Midterm election in early November that funds the government through the Thanksgiving holiday. After the election, Congress is expected to return to what is called a “lame duck” session, named so because Members who lost their elections are still able to vote and participate in the legislative process.
Also expected this year is possible tax legislation, which could be included in the appropriations package. Last year Congress wanted to include major tax changes as part of the Build Back Better (BBB) Act, and while the BBB didn’t pass, the desire to implement many of those tax changes remains. Included in those tax changes are three provisions that NAFOA has been working on: Sections 135601, Treatment of Indian Tribes as States with Respect to Bond Issuance; 135602, New Market Tax Credit for Tribal Statistical Areas; and 135603, Inclusion of Indian Areas as Difficult Development Areas for Purposes of Certain Buildings.
5. JOBS: SUSANVILLE INDIAN RANCHERIA IS SEEKING CONTROLLER
Under the general supervision of the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will assist with the design, operations, and control of effective administrative procedures related to accounting, payroll, property control, procurement and operational budgets for tribal governmental funds and clinic funds as well as the implementation of new accounting software modules. The Controller will be assisting with the training of clinic and tribal staff with these implementations. Day-to- day general ledger responsibilities, accounts receivable, payroll and tax compliance for tribal entities, including month end close of asset and liabilities will be the responsibility of the Controller.
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