1. Conference: Session Spotlight: United States Treasurer Brandon Beach
Join us Tuesday, September 23rd to hear from United States Treasurer Brandon Beach, as he delivers remarks about his journey to the Treasury, the administration’s priorities, and work alongside the TTAC to advance Tribal Economies.
As the 46th Treasurer, Beach provides leadership and oversight for the U.S. Mint, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Fort Knox, the Office of Tribal and Native Affairs, and serves as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent. He will provide updates on Tribal tax policy, the One Big Beautiful Bill, and other initiatives supporting Tribal communities.
Register for the Conference >>
2. NAFOA In The News: A Financial Statement – Cory Blankenship ’06 Commits to Making Native American Tribes Economically Self-sustaining
NAFOA Executive Director Cory Blankenship eyed leadership growing up in the Qualla Boundary of western North Carolina as a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. His great-grandfather was elected chairman of the Tribal Council. Blankenship’s grandfather, Bob Blankenship ’60, also served on Tribal Council six terms, and two of those he was chairman.
Blankenship, 39, works nationally with tribes to introduce policies and initiatives that enable them to become more economically sovereign. That entails looking at economic drivers, reshaping education and retooling the workforce. He tailors his approach to each tribe’s unique needs.
“If one tribe can’t do an economic development project on their own, what are the opportunities for us to join forces and really lift all the boats to lift everyone up?” says Blankenship.
Source: NC State Magazine
3. Must Read: Michigan Tribes Generated $1.2B in Economic Impact in 2024, Report Finds
Michigan’s 12 federally recognized tribes have quadrupled their non-gaming economic impact in the state since 2019 as more tribes create more tribal enterprises to diversify their economies.
Seventy-eight tribal enterprises spread across the 12 tribes generated a combined $1.24 billion in total economic impact from non-gaming enterprises in 2024, according to a statewide study released last week. The previous economic impact report, which chronicled 2019 and included nine of the state’s tribes, estimated $288.76 million — roughly 330% increase in five years.
“This shows that next step in economic development for tribes,” Jessi Goldner, Vice President of Strategic Engagement for Waséyabek. “It proves that when we’re looking at economic diversification, the sky is the limit.”
Source: Tribal Business News/Native News Online
4. Webinar: NCN Policy Advocacy Strategy Webinar: NACA Program Funding and the Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act
Wednesday, September 10, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET
With Congress back in session and much work ahead with the Administration, the Native CDFI Network (NCN) will resume its regular policy webinar series, beginning with a webinar next Wednesday that will share key updates and needed next steps about three critical topics: FY 2025 and FY 2026 funding for the CDFI Fund’s Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program, the USDA Native CDFI 502 Relending Program, and the Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act (which includes a provision increasing New Markets Tax Credits deployment in Indian Country). Pilar Thomas will provide updates on recent developments regarding NCN’s $400 million Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and how the One Big Beautiful Bill impacts Indian Country, as well as other Congressional developments relevant to Native CDFIs.
Source: Native CDFI Network
Register to Join on Sept 10 >>
5. Job Opportunity: Senior Accountant – Government Contracting, Tlingit Haida Tribal Business Corporation
The Senior Accountant is responsible for performing detailed reconciliations of balance sheet and sub-ledger accounts to ensure accuracy, compliance, and completeness of financial data in a government contracting environment. This role supports month-end and year-end close, audit readiness, and compliance with GAAP, FAR, CAS, and internal policies.
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