1. POLICY:
Possible SSBCI Expenditure Deadline Change, Impact on Tribal Communities
Treasury Officials are considering moving up the Tribal expenditure deadline for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) from October 2026 to November 2025. Congress created SSBCI to strengthen small business lending and investment nationwide, including in Indian Country. This proposed change would be a significant shift in program expectations and could have a serious impact on Tribal governments and Native-owned businesses.
NAFOA has submitted a letter of support urging Congress to maintain the existing SSBCI expenditure deadline and ensure the program continues to effectively serve Tribal Nations.
To assist Tribes in voicing their concerns, NAFOA has also developed a template letter that Tribal governments can use to communicate directly with their members of Congress regarding the proposed deadline change. Tribal input is crucial in voicing concerns about changes to federal programs that could negatively impact Tribal economies, communities, and Native entrepreneurs.
2. WEBINAR:
Shutdown and OMB Impacts on Accounting and Compliance
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 at 10:00 AM PT
Federal government shutdowns and executive orders are set to have far-reaching impacts on accounting and grant compliance for federal grant recipients—namely, changes to the Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200 Uniform Guidance (UG) and the 2025 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Compliance Supplement.
This webinar will cover accounting complexities for now-inactive awards, impacts on revenue recognition, and the schedule of expenditures for federal awards (SEFA).
Source: Moss Adams x Baker Tilly
3. HEARING:
Upcoming SCIA Oversight Hearing on Impacts of Government Shutdowns on Native Communities
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) will hold an oversight hearing entitled “Impacts of Government Shutdowns and Agency Reductions in Force on Native Communities” on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET.
The hearing will take place both in person at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 628, and online. NAFOA encourages those interested to attend or listen to the proceedings.
NAFOA also encourages you to join the NAFOA Community Forum
NAFOA’s Community Forum is a secure space for Tribal leaders, finance professionals, and stakeholders to share experiences and collaborate on issues affecting Tribal operations. You can use the forum to document federal funding interruptions or discuss impacts from the government shutdown. If you’re interested in joining, submit a request.
Watch Live on Oct 29 at 2PM ET →
4. MUST READ:
‘Going to get tougher’: Tribes grapple with ongoing government shutdown
The United States is […] into the third-longest federal government shutdown in history and Indian Country is bracing for an unstable future ahead as reserve funding for many tribes could begin to dry up.
“Folks that had rainy day funds set aside for this, they’re going to see problems,” said Michael Stopp, Cherokee and Muscogee and the president and chief executive officer of Seven Star Holdings. “We saw in the beginning of the shutdown that many tribes had learned from 2018 and made some adjustments in their budgets, but now we’re going into one of the longest shutdowns in history, and unless the Senate makes a significant change today or tomorrow, you’re going to start seeing heavier impacts.”
On Oct. 20, the U.S. Senate failed for an 11th time to advance a House-passed measure and end the shutdown. The bill has continuously fallen short of the 60 needed votes needed to advance.
Source: ICT
5. JOB OPPORTUNITY:
Attorney General, Catawba Indian Nation
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
The Attorney General is responsible for safeguarding all Tribal assets, defending the integrity of the Tribe, and providing legal counsel and representation to the Tribe, its Government, and its entities. This role includes assisting and advising Tribal entities in their efforts to advance the interests of Tribal citizens, developing and maintaining Tribal Codes, and overseeing the work of outside counsel.
The Attorney General must be able to collaborate effectively with partner agencies both within and outside of the Tribe, establish priorities, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet critical deadlines.
