Economics is an important component to success of all business activities. This course will introduce you to key concepts to understanding economics and its role in successful economic development. Some of these components include: key economic terms, understanding microeconomics and macroeconomics, understanding keys to tribal economics, the role of economics in Indian country, corporate governance, the Multiplier Effect, challenges to economic development, issues for investors, how to attract investors, government economic development programs, (e.g., disaster economics , and using economics to move enterprises forward). We will also refer participants to additional resources to expand on the training.

Register for free and join NAFOA on December 14 at 2:30 ET.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has released a summary of provisions to be used as the basis for a new $908 billion COVID-19 relief package. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led the effort to include Indian Country in a number of relief measures.

Many of the bipartisan recommendations are expected to be carried by both the House and the Senate and the summary represents an agreement in principle for good-faith negotiations moving forward. Congress will likely attach the relief bill to the spending bill they must pass before leaving for holiday recess at the end of next week.

NAFOA, along with other national organizations will be hosting a National Tribal Leader Town Hall via Zoom when the details are available and it appears Congress will take up the bipartisan recommendations. Keep an eye on your inbox for this notice if you would like to attend.

Read More in NAFOA’s Latest Broadcast

Leaders of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma realized early on that COVID-19 could pose a serious threat to their community. Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby acted quickly, declared a public health emergency, and closed most business operations March 17.

The rest of the Chickasaw Nation also quickly sprang into action to protect the health and safety of its employees, citizens, and neighbors; and tribal leaders worked rapidly to digitize their services to keep their people safe and the economy moving. The need to establish a layered approach to safety was recognized and included:

• Safe return to work and expected on- and off-work safety policy
• Daily screening for symptoms and those at high risk for exposure
• “Touchless” drive-through COVID-19 testing and access to rapid testing
• Sero-prevalence testing and analysis
• Development of contact tracing and case investigation capabilities
• Establishing COVID-19 clinics to address patients with COVID-19 illness or exposure
• Establishing a COVID-19 call center
• Universal masking and social distancing and appropriate use of PPE
• Enhanced cleaning and air handling processes
• Development of mass vaccination capabilities for influenza and COVID-19 vaccine when available

Read more from Forbes Magazine.

The Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (“TTAC”) Subcommittee on General Welfare Exclusion (“GWE Subcommittee”) is re-opening its solicitation of input from Tribal governments and stakeholders before making recommendations to the TTAC on guidance under the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act (“TGWEA”) and the Internal Revenue Code Section 139E.

The GWE Subcommittee was formed in 2019 to provide the TTAC with technical expertise on recommendations for the implementation of the TGWEA. The GWE Subcommittee believes its recommendations needs to reflect existing GWE programs and best practices.

To support this tribal engagement, the GWE Subcommittee previously released a solicitation letter to receive tribal input. The GWE Subcommittee has reopened this solicitation, accessible here, and is requesting input by January 29, 2021 at 5:00pm EST. This solicitation letter is solely on behalf of the GWE Subcommittee and is not an action of the TTAC.

All questions and input should be submitted to the following GWE Subcommittee technical advisors: Fatima Abbas, fabbas@ncai.org; and Emery Real Bird, emery@nafoa.org.

This eight-week cohort program provides the opportunity to connect with other tribal peers while gaining knowledge and experience to help become a more effective tribal finance/accounting professional and leader. Because all sessions are available virtually, you’ll be able to learn on your own time and set hours convenient to your schedule.

In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with and learn from other tribal finance/accounting professionals throughout the state and across the country. The Zoom chat room with instructors is available for discussion and questions about course material at the end of each week.

Learn more and register.