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Fall 2024

IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome to the Fall 2024 issue of Indigenous Intel, a quarterly publication of the Economic Development Administration (EDA). This newsletter highlights the people and programs expanding opportunities for America’s Indigenous communities.

November is National Native American Heritage Month, which we’ll highlight in this issue. We will also report on several recent EDA investments in Indian country and introduce you to Department of Commerce personnel who are helping to secure the resources and opportunities for Tribal economic success.

For more information on all things EDA, please visit eda.gov and our social media channels: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

BLOG

EDA Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

Each November, EDA is proud to join with its Tribal stakeholders in celebration of National Native American Heritage Month. For 2024, we published a blog looking back on four years of EDA’s commitment to supporting economic growth throughout Indian country, through the American Rescue Plan and other awards, Tribal consultations, listening sessions, training series and more. To read the blog in its entirety, please visit eda.gov.

HIGHLIGHTS

A Thank You to Our Veterans

Earlier this month, the nation celebrated Veterans Day, a time to reflect on our service personnel, their commitment to duty, and their sacrifices for our country. Many of these men and women are part of the EDA family, 13 percent of whom have worn their country’s uniform. They bring a diversity of service represented in the air, land, and sea, and on bases and missions across the globe. We thank them for enriching our bureau with their leadership and experience, as well as their fellow personnel for demonstrating how service can bring us together and build a better nation. 

General Services Administration Seeks Input on EDA's Indigenous Communities Program On November 8, the Federal Register published a call for comments from the General Services Administration requesting input on several EDA programs funded through the American Rescue Plan, including the Indigenous Communities program. Through this initiative, EDA provided 51 awards totaling more than $489 million to Indigenous communities across the United States.

To participate in this survey, please visit regulations.gov and search for ‘‘Information Collection 3090–XXXX; Learning from Tribal Governments’ Experiences with American Rescue Plan Programs." For more information, please email blair.read@gsa.gov.

EDA Offers $5 Million in Additional Funding for Indigenous Communities

On October 1, EDA announced $5 million in additional funding for Indigenous communities through an update to the FY2023 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity. This funding expands on American Rescue Plan awards and reiterates EDA’s commitment to better support Indigenous communities.

For more information, please visit grants.gov. There is no deadline to apply. 

Julie Kitka Appointed as Federal Co-Chair of the Denali Commission On October 17, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointment of Julie Kitka as the incoming Federal Co-Chair of the Denali Commission, an independent federal agency that provides utilities, infrastructure, and economic support throughout Alaska. She brings more than three decades of experience serving as president of the Alaska Federation of Natives. EDA and the Denali Commission have a long history of coordination and collaboration supporting economic development, strengthening regional climate resiliency, and expanding access to economic opportunities for communities throughout the region, including Alaska’s Tribal nations.

For the full announcement, please visit eda.gov.

Alejandra Castillo Steps Down as Assistant Secretary of Commerce On August 28, Alejandra Y. Castillo stepped down as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Since 2021, she has overseen nearly $8 billion in economic development support across the United States, including several awards throughout Indian country. Her tenure saw the generation of nearly $80 billion in private investments and the creation of nearly 800,000 jobs nationwide.

She also helped to usher in new funding programs, including Tech Hubs, Recompete, and those authorized through the American Rescue Plan, leaving a legacy that will continue for years to come. We thank Alejandra for her commitment to helping Indigenous communities throughout the United States secure the resources and opportunities they need for economic success.

In early September, Cristina Killingsworth was named as her successor.

EDA Awards $4.5 Million Grant to the Sitnasuak Native Corporation On September 24, EDA announced a $4.5 million grant to the Sitnasuak Native Corporation in Nome, Alaska. The award will support energy infrastructure improvements – specifically, the installation of new fuel storage tanks.

The award is designed to help enhance the regional economy, as these tanks will serve as the primary source of gasoline and heating oil. 

For a news account of this story, please visit akbizmag.com.

EDA Awards $3.6 Million Grant to the Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe On September 24, EDA announced a $3.6 million grant to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in Cass Lake, Minnesota. This award will support the Tribe’s wild rice production industry through the construction of a 6,100-square foot processing facility on Tribal land. For a news account of this story, please visit pbs.org.

EDA Awards $3.5 Million Grant to the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation On September 24, EDA announced a $3.5 million grant to the Rosebud Economic Development Corporation in Mission, South Dakota. This award will support the construction of a manufacturing workforce training facility on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation to attract manufacturing businesses to the region while strengthening the Tribal economy.

EDA Awards $2.5 Million Grant to the Bay Mills Indian Community On September 10, EDA announced a $2.5 million grant to the Bay Mills Indian Community in Brimley, Michigan. This award will expand the community’s wastewater treatment capacity to help foster future economic development projects in the region. For a news account of this story, please click here.

NEWS, EVENTS, RESOURCES AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

NEWS

Building Trust With a Native Community

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health recently met with members of the Tribal Council of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community (SCC) to discuss collaborating on clinical trials, health data collection, and strategies to improve health within SCC. For the full story, please visit med.wisc.edu.

Government Accountability Office Announces New Appointments to its Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Committee

On August 26, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced four new appointments to its Tribal and Indigenous Advisory Council, which provides GAO with insights on issues regarding Tribal Nations and their citizens.

The new appointments are:

• Gail Hatcher, Vice Chairwoman (The Klamath Tribes)
• Michael Jacobs, Chief (Waccamaw Siouan Tribe of North Carolina)
• Erica Schenk, Chairwoman (Cahuilla Band of Indians)
• Phillip Williams, Council Member (Yurok Tribe)

For more information, please visit gao.gov.

EVENTS

18th National Indian Natives Conference

Hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime. This weeklong event in Palm Springs, California focuses on the prevention and intervention of crimes against vulnerable populations while providing training and technical assistance to communities, including Indian Country, to develop programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. (December 10-13). For more information and to register, please visit cvent.com.

10th Annual Native American Leadership Forum

Hosted by Native Nation Events. This three-day event in Maui, Hawaii provides advanced leadership training for elected officials, appointed board members, and department heads. (December 4-6). For more information and to register, please visit nativenationevents.org.

15th Annual Native American Human Resources Conference

Hosted by Native Nation Events. This two-day event in Anaheim, California offers networking and human resource professional development opportunities for Tribal members. (January 20-21). For more information and to register, please visit nativenationevents.org. 

12th Annual Tribal Casino Executive Exchange

Hosted by Native Nation Events. This two-day event in Carlsbad, California for Tribal-owned casino executives offers roundtable discussion, small group sessions, networking opportunities and more. (February 17-18). For more information and to register, please visit nativenationevents.org

RESOURCES

Department of Agriculture

The Food and Nutrition Service’s Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations provides monthly packages of healthy food to Tribal organizations. For more information, please visit usda.gov.

Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program is specifically designed for American Indian and Alaska Native families, Alaska villages, tribes, or tribally designated housing entities. It is designed to facilitate home ownership and increase access to capital in Native American Communities. For more information, please visit hud.gov.

Department of the Interior

The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Financial Assistance and Social Service program provides direct funding and activities to Tribal members living on or near reservations. This includes financial assistance, child assistance, burial assistance, eldercare, social services and more. For more information, please visit bia.gov.

Indigenous Economic Development Community of Practice

The Indigenous Economic Development Community of Practice is an EDA-funded group that brings together Tribal economic development practitioners to learn from each other and build capacity to plan for, apply and secure funding for, and implement economic development projects. For more information, please visit indigenouscop.org.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Department of Energy

The Office of Indian Energy is providing $25 million in total program funding for Tribal clean energy planning and development. The deadline to apply is January 23, 2025. For more information, please visit grants.gov.

Department of the Interior

The U.S. Geological Survey is providing $250,000 in total funding through the USGS Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2025. For more information, please visit grants.gov. 

Department of Transportation

The Federal Highway Administration is providing more than $24 million in total funding through the 2025 Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2025. For more information, please visit grants.gov.

Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA is providing $3.5 million in total funding through the FY25 Funding Opportunity for Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for Nonpoint Source Management Grants Under Clean Water Act Section 319. The deadline to apply is December 11, 2024. For more information, please visit grant.gov.

National Endowment for the Humanities

The Division of Preservation and Access is providing $2 million in total funding through the Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections program. The deadline to apply is January 10, 2025. For more information, please visit grants.gov.

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