UPDATES FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

Support for Tribal Small Businesses

“Biden/Harris administration show true partnership and investment in tribal communities.”- Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis

Vice President Harris traveled to Arizona this week to meet with the Gila River Indian Community. During the interview, VP Harris reviews issues such as MMIWP, partnering with Tribal Leaders, and Small Business Credit Initiative awards to support Tribal small businesses.

READ MORE

Watch the exclusive interview with the ICT Newscast

Climate Resilience Program Coordinator

Do you want to be inspired every day? Are you interested in working for a dynamic intertribal organization that works at the intersection of Tribal sovereignty, climate solutions, environmental justice, and Indigenous cultures? The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) is hiring a full-time Assistant Tribal Liaison for our Climate Resilience Program! Come work for an exciting intertribal organization working at the cutting edge of climate adaptation science. Our staff work on a wide-variety of projects and your job will be crafted to best fit your interests and your skill sets. ATNI also offers competitive salaries, benefits, and the best job that you have ever had. You deserve more than a job; you deserve a career that will feed your soul.

This full-time position is an employee of ATNI will serve as the Program Coordinator for ATNI’s Climate Resilience Program, which serves Tribes located in the Pacific Northwest. The duty station for this position is flexible within the Pacific Northwest. The Program Coordinator will work with ATNI’s programmatic and administrative staff to coordinate and support our climate programs. This staff person should be an expert in coordinating programs and projects which may include managing travel logistics & coordination, managing special event logistics, tracking accounts payables and receivables, assisting with budget development, assisting with developing draft contracts, meeting coordination, agenda coordination, notetaking, managing / meeting project reporting requirements, and other administrative duties as assigned. This person should also be an expert at internal and external communications and demonstrate high standards of professionalism when working with a wide range of internal and external partners, including Tribes, Federal agencies, intertribal organizations, researchers, interns, and other tribal and non-tribal partners. The ideal candidate will have: 1) extensive experience working with a wide range of partners, including Tribes and intertribal organizations; 2) a demonstrated passion for the missions of ATNI and our Climate Resilience Program; 3) a penchant for managing ever-competing priorities with partnerships that often require flexibility; and 4) do all of the above with a positive attitude and a smile.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provides specialized administrative support in the development and implementation of our Climate Resilience program and services;
  • Serves as a central point of contact between our program, partners, or Tribal leaders and staff regarding programmatic, operational, and administrative matters;
  • Assists with event planning and logistics, special projects, and general problem-solving, as needed;
  • Coordinates activities of support staff, consultants, partners, and volunteers in implementation of programmatic efforts;
  • Monitors and administers project and program revenues and budgets; Assists with development of funding proposals and budgets for the program; tracking programmatic income and expenditures; monitoring and managing budgets vs. actuals.
  • Maintains program & project records, files, and documents using cloud-based file management systems; researches information; prepares project reports, summaries, or replies to special inquiries;
  • Performs or delegates clerical, administrative support, and human resource-related tasks, including creation, typing, and editing of program correspondence, purchasing documents, reports, and other documents.
  • Performs specialized activities of a programmatic nature in direct support of program objectives and miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
  • Tracks related activities and corresponding metrics;

Qualifications Required (applicants will be assessed based upon these qualifications)

  • At least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
  • Demonstrated oral and written communication skills; demonstrated organizational skills; Experience in event planning and logistics; strong note taking skills; proficiency in using cloud-based file management systems; proficiency is tracking financial income and expenditures for programs;
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a collaborative team member;
  • Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, document, and manage multiple projects.
  • Ability to coordinate and organize meetings and / or special events.
  • Clerical, word processing, and/or office skills; skills in the use of personal computers and related software applications; and general clerical, word processing, spreadsheet manipulation, and office skills;
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
  • Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control procedures.
  • Records maintenance skills.
  • Ability to interact with co-workers, partners, and others in a team environment while maintaining positive attitude.
  • Ability to gather and analyze statistical data and generate reports.
  • Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
  • Native American hiring preference. ATNI preferentially hires citizens of federally recognized Tribal Nations.

This position reports to:  ATNI’s Program Director for Climate Resilience Program

Duty location:  Flexible within the Pacific Northwest

Salary: $58,560– $87,613/year [location dependent and commensurate with experience, and based upon the GS salary schedule ranging from a GS-9 (Step 1) to a GS-12 (Step 1)]

Benefits: ATNI offers a generous benefits program that includes comp time, a retirement program, and health benefits program.

Required application materials: Qualified candidates must submit a single pdf document that includes: 1) cover letter that highlights any experience with Indigenous communities and program management; 2) résumé; 3) unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.); 4) salary history; and 5) an example of writing skills or your logistical and or planning related experience.  Incomplete applications may be determined ineligible.

Application instructions: Initial review of applications will begin on Oct 23, 2022 and the position remain open until filled. All necessary materials must be e-mailed to cjones@atnitribes.org.  Subject line should include: ‘Program Coordinator Applicant’

For more information, contact

Chas Jones, PhD

ATNI Acting Climate Resilience Program Director

(815) 456-4173

cjones@atnitribes.org

FEMA Grants (September 2022)

Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP) 

Individual Assistance – Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (IA-CCP) 

Public Assistance Grant Program (PA) 

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) 

Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) 

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program 

Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Program 

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) 

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) 

Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) 

Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program 

Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program 

(New) Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program [note: has not been offered yet, NOFO later this year] 

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant 

National Preparedness Directorate 

National Continuity Programs 

(New, released 9.16.22) State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program [note: Tribes are not directly eligible, but they “may be eligible subrecipients, and can receive SLCGP funding as a local government.”] 

ATNI Position Announcement: Assistant Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison

This full-time position is an employee of the Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians (ATNI) and is assigned to the Northwest Adaptation Climate Science Center (NW CASC) to serve as the NW CASC’s Assistant Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison for Tribes located in the Pacific Northwest. The Assistant Tribal Liaison will work with the Senior Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison to advise the NW CASC on tribal issues as they pertain to climate change, resource vulnerability, and climate adaptation actions. Our liaisons also provide climate adaptation training to tribal nations, develop partnerships to advance tribal resilience to climate impacts, and serve as an informational hub between Tribes, Federal agencies, researchers, and other tribal and non-tribal partners. 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Helps carry out the services delivered by the NW CASC and ATNI’s climate change program;
  • Helps ensure that NW CASC research is framed holistically and inclusively to encompass the themes of environmental sustainability, traditional knowledge, exposure of indigenous peoples to the impacts of climate change, adaptation, and interpretation of locally relevant research findings;
  • Assists the Senior Tribal Liaison in the translation and communication of NW CASC science to tribal officials and resource managers based on the relationship of trust among tribal nations and with the tribal citizens;
  • Serves on panels and engages in strategy sessions, workshops, and partner meetings;
  • Works with tribal education programs to: (1) build the scientific capacity and workforce of Tribal Nations within the context of traditional and cultural practices; (2) enhance the diversity of the Federal workforce, particularly the Department of the Interior (DOI); and (3) assist with planning ATNI’s Tribal Climate Camps and Climate Summits; and other opportunities upon request;
  • Reviews reports, proposals, correspondence, and other documents for ATNI, NW CASC, DOI, USGS, and others, upon request;
  • Recommends appropriate tribal collaborators for NW CASC related proposals and projects;
  • Coordinates and organizes the planning, logistics, and programmatic activities for tribal related trainings, workshops, conferences, etc.;
  • Attends and presents at tribal meetings, as appropriate;
  • Prepares reports and tracks NW CASC tribal related activities and corresponding metrics;
  • Conducts outreach to tribal communities to learn about and assess their climate science needs and questions and to inform them of the climate science and adaptation resources available to them through meetings with tribal governments, departments, NGOs, TCUs and schools, and individuals involved in climate adaptation work; 
  • Provides climate adaptation planning support to tribal governments and community climate resilience stakeholders in coordination with the NW CASC and other partners; 
  • Maintains database and ongoing contact with tribal resource managers and tribal personnel involved in climate planning and risk management; and 
  • Under the guidance of the Senior Tribal Liaison, the NW CASC director, and ATNI’s Climate Resilience Program Director, assists with the management of ATNI’s internship programs;
  • Participates in a network of tribal climate science liaisons working within the CASC network;
  • Uses WordPress to edit, update, and maintain a website for outreach and coordination of activities with NW CASC and tribal communities; Provides content to be included in ATNI newsletters.
  • Conducts ATNI and/or CASC-related research as time permits.

Qualifications Required (applicants will be assessed based upon these qualifications)

  • Master’s degree preferred, or bachelor’s degree with at least three years of experience, in an area of science relevant to climate change and tribal issues, including the social sciences and public health;
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience related to a) environmental sustainability, b) tribal traditional knowledge, and c) exposure of indigenous peoples to the impacts of climate change, adaptation, and interpretation of locally relevant research findings;
  • Incumbent understands tribal governments and communities, values, needs, Indigenous knowledges, and knowledge of tribal treaty rights and federal trust relations;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of, and previous involvement in, issues that tribal communities in the Northwest are facing that could be addressed through research in climate change impacts;
  • Ability to assist in development and evaluation of research proposals, methods and outcomes;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, especially the ability to articulate relevant climate change-related issues and program products and concepts to American Indian communities and non-scientists generally;
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a collaborative team member;
  • Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, document, and manage multiple projects.
  • Native American hiring preference. ATNI preferentially hires citizens of federally-recognized Tribal Nations. 

This position reports to:  ATNI’s Senior Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison

Duty location:  Flexible within the Pacific Northwest with possible locations including the Portland, OR, Spokane, WA, and Seattle WA areas

Salary: $43,683-68,290/year (location dependent and commensurate with experience)

Benefits: ATNI offers 80 hours of vacation and 40 hours of sick leave annually and has a 401k and health benefits program available.

Required application materials: Qualified candidates must submit cover letter that emphasizes any experience with Indigenous communities, climate impacts and/or resilience; résumé; unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.); salary history; and one example of writing skills (publications, reports, etc.).  Incomplete applications may be determined ineligible.

Application instructions: Initial review of applications will begin on September 16, 2022 and the position will be open until filled. All necessary materials must be e-mailed as a single pdf (if possible) to cjones@atnitribes.org.  Subject line should include: ‘Asst. Tribal Liaison Applicant’

For more information, contact

Chas Jones, PhD

ATNI Climate Resilience Program Director

(815) 456-4173

cjones@atnitribes.org

ATNI to Host US Treasury Tribal Leader Roundtable on the RPA reauthorization of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) which contains a $500 million set aside for Tribal governments to support

Tribal Leader Roundtable – Tuesday, August 10th, 2021 AT 10AM

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) reauthorizes and amends the Small Business Jobs Act (SBJA) of 2010, which established the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program. SSBCI provides certain governments funding for 1) small business financing programs and 2) technical assistance to small businesses applying for SSBCI. ARPA authorized SSBCI Tribal government eligibility for the first time and provided a $500 million Tribal set aside. Treasury has conducted a Tribal consultation, hosted a Tribal information session, and engaged in Tribal engagement on this fund over the past few months. Based on the consultation, Treasury adopted a distribution methodology that allocated payments using a formula that is based on enrollment data and establishes a minimum amount ($423,000) for eligible Tribal governments. All eligible Tribal governments have been notified of their initial allocations via email.  A Notice of Intent to apply for these funds is due August 16, 2021 at 5:00 EDT and applications are due December 11, 2021. Please note that the NOI does not obligate a government to participate in the program. SSBCI Resources:

Contact Information

ATNI HOSTED TREASURY MEETING TUESDAY AUGUST 10TH AT 10AMTopic: US Treasury SSBCI Time: Aug 10, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83780000561?pwd=OFZSUVNKMnVEYjU5WUptMTJCY01rQT09
Meeting ID: 837 8000 0561Passcode: 483549One tap mobile+12532158782,,83780000561#,,,,*483549# US (Tacoma)+16699006833,,83780000561#,,,,*483549# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location    +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)Meeting ID: 837 8000 0561Passcode: 483549Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdLKsmX4lg

USDA Consultation on Consultations and Racial Equity

In March, the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) will be consulting on the 1) Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships, and the 2) Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government which specifically includes addressing impediments to accessing USDA programs and services. These two actions by President Biden can be found below. Each of the two consultations will cover both of these topics. We are also building in two hours before the consultation for tribal caucus. USDA staff will not participate in the tribal caucus as it is designed for tribal leaders and tribal organizations to have internal discussion.

To send written comments to be included in the consultation record, please send them to Tribal.Relations@usda.gov by 11:59 pm ET on March 22, 2021.

https://www.usda.gov/tribalrelations/tribal-consultations

2022 Annual Conference Call For Artists

Apply by May 3, 2021

NICWA invites American Indian and Alaska Native artists to participate in our Call for Artists. NICWA is excited to once again provide an opportunity for artists to showcase their talents in support of our 2022 40th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference. Submissions are due May 3, 2021.

The National Park Service Submits Final National Historic Preservation Act Rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs

On March 1, 2019, the National Park Service (NPS) proposed revisions to the regulations governing the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) that would affect the nomination process of properties eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. More recently, on October 8, 2020, NPS submitted the final rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 12866
There is still an opportunity to comment on the effects the Rule would have on the cultural heritage of your nation. To request an EO 12866 meeting with OIRA, click here
You may also request government-to-government consultation with OIRA pursuant to EO 13175. To request EO 13175 consultation send a letter via email to:
Paul J. Ray, AdministratorOffice of Information and Regulatory AffairsRegulatory Information Service Center (RISC)General Services Administration 1800 F Street, NWWashington, D.C. 20405oira_submission@omb.eop.govmatthew.p.oreska@omb.eop.gov
To view NCAI’s submitted comments in response to the proposed rule, please click here
To view NCAI’s July 2019 comments, please click here.
NCAI Contact Info: Darren Modzelewski, Policy Counseldmodzelewski@ncai.org