Note: Post updated with fuller agenda.

The Native American Contractors Association is hosting its annual Federal Contracting Policy and Advocacy Conference this week.

The two-day event kicks off on Wednesday afternoon. The virtual event features presentations from officials from President Joe Biden’s administration, key members of Congress, including the two tribally-enrolled Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as leaders of several Indian Country organizations.

February 17, 2021 (All Times Eastern)
3:00 pm
Opening Prayer
Wizipan Little Elk, Rosebud Sioux Tribe

3:05 pm
Call to Order
Introduction of Board of Directors – Welcome Remarks
Annette Hamilton, President, NACA

3:15 pm
Welcome Remarks and Membership Update
Including EIS update & Review of election process and Bylaws
Joe Valandra, Executive Director, NACA

3:30 pm
Native American Contractors Association History
Sheri Buretta, NACA Board Member
Chris McNeil, Native Strategy Group (former CEO Sealaska)
Lance Morgan, CEO, Ho-Chunk, Inc.

4:00 pm
Cotia Haia
Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Mazie Hirono, member of Senate Armed Services and Small Business Committees

4:15 pm
Eric Bryant
Chief of Staff to Congressman Kweisi Mfume, member of House Small Business Committee

4:25 pm
Legislative Update
8(a) & Native Small Business
Allison Binney – Akin Gump

4:45 pm
Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)
Chair of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

5:00 pm
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)

5:15 pm
Members of Congress (Via Video)
Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico)
Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas)

5:45 pm
Native Organization Panel
Working Together to Strengthen Native Economies – 117th Congress & Biden Administration
Moderator: Joe Valandra, Executive Director, NACA
Derrick Watchman, Chairman of the Board, The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
Dante Desiderio, Executive Director, Native American Finance Officers Association
Amber Schulz-Oliver, Executive Director, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation
Hallie Bissett, Executive Director, Alaska Native Village Corporation Association
Philip Kahue, Vice President, Native Hawaiian Organization Association

6:30pm
Announcements
Adjourn for the Day

February 18, 2021 (All Times Eastern)
3:00 pm
Welcome Back – Announcement of Board Election Results
Annette Hamilton, President, NACA

3:10 pm
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada)
Member, Senate Small Business Committee

3:15 pm
Dylan Laslovich
Chief of Staff Senator John Tester, Chair of Defense Appropriations Subcommittee

3:25 pm
Communicating with the 117th Congress
NACA Priorities- Cornerstone Government Affairs

3:45 pm
Federal Contracting: Policy Issues for FY 2021
Moderator: Joe Valandra, Executive Director, NACA
Tim “Hoops” Hopper, President , Chugach Government Services
Anthony Lazarski, Cornerstone Government Affairs
CJ Zane, BlankRome Government Relations, LLC

4:30 pm
Congressman Jared Golden
Member, House Armed Services and Small Business Committees (invited)

4:45 pm
Small Business Association
John Klein & Mark Hagedorn

5:00 pm
Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL)
Member House Natural Resources Committee

5:15 pm
Contracting Opportunities
Heather Dawn Thompson
Director, Tribal Relations
U.S. Department of Agriculture

5:35 pm
Buy Indian Update and Status
Santiago Almaraz
Acting Director Office of Management Services Indian Health Service

6:30 pm
Closing Remarks and Announcements
Adjourn

NACA advocates on behalf of tribal nations, Alaska Native corporations and Native Hawaiian organizations on issues relevant to federal government contracting.