NAFOA is launching a new grants management program that focuses on the post-award period for federal grants. This virtual program is designed for the introductory level learners and those with experience who may appreciate a review. The virtual program is expected to be offered in 8 to 12-hour increments.

We are seeking 2 practitioners in the tribal community grants management field from diverse regions to review the curriculum and assess learning outcomes. NAFOA is offering a $1,000.00 stipend per year for the curriculum advisory working committee members. Committee members can expect up to a 20-hour time commitment for Year 1 and participate in quarterly meetings.

• Learn more about the Curriculum Advisory Working Committee
• Apply or provide a recommendation for the Curriculum Advisory Working Committee

For questions, please contact Cody Harjo, Director, Media and Learning Initiatives, at ​cody@nafoa.org.

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— NAFOA (@nafoaorg) December 17, 2021

The U.S Department of Treasury has revised its guidance for the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), which was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES).

Treasury is now revising the guidance to provide that a cost associated with a necessary expenditure incurred due to the public health emergency shall be considered to have been incurred by December 31, 2021, if the recipient has incurred an obligation with respect to such cost by December 31, 2021. Treasury defines obligation for this purpose consistently with the Uniform Guidance definition in 2 C.F.R. 200.1 as an order placed for property and services and entry into contracts, subawards, and similar transactions that require payment.

Treasury’s reporting framework currently permits recipients to record their expenditures through September 30, 2022. The CRF’s eligible use is restricted to “necessary expenditures incurred due to” the COVID-19 public health emergency. Treasury currently expects that this expenditure deadline will provide a sufficient amount of time for recipients to expend their funds in accordance with the eligible uses of the CRF.

Read more in NAFOA’s broadcast “Policy Alert: Treasury Announces Revised CFR Final Rule.”

The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced it has published a rule that finalizes revisions to the probate process for American Indian and Alaska Native individuals with property held in federal Indian trust status. The final rule eliminates ambiguities and procedural delays in the federal process for probating Indian trust estates so that such property may be distributed more quickly to a decedent’s heirs and devisees.

“With this final rule, the BIA’s process for probating Indian trust estates can now work more efficiently,” said Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. “Thanks to comments we received from Tribal leaders, Tribal members and the public, those who must use the process can be assured their trust estates will be probated in a more timely manner than in the past.”

The final rule, which amends regulations promulgated in 2008 shortly after enactment of the American Indian Probate Reform Act, is the result of several years of input from federally recognized Tribes, as well as Tribal members. In 2016 and 2017, the BIA reached out to Tribes for input on how the probate process was working. Based on that input, the Bureau in 2019 identified issues in its existing regulations governing the Indian probate process and requested comments from Tribes and the public on where improvements could be made through regulatory change.

Read more in News Release: “BIA Announces Publication of Final Rule for Probating Indian Trust Estates.”

The last day to register and complete Career Basics is January 31, 2022!

Career Basics is a free online program specifically designed for Native youth and young professionals ages 18-26 years old. The self-paced program will teach you invaluable career readiness and financial literacy skills to prepare you for the workforce. Learn how how to write a cover letter, how to budget your finances, how to do an elevator pitch, and more with our free online program.

Participants who successfully complete Career Basics are eligible to apply for the 2022 NAFOA Leadership Summit taking place April 3, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Complete the program by the end of December for early access to the application.

Know a Native youth or young professional who would benefit from the program? Send us their name and contact information at education@nafoa.org, and we will extend a personal invitation.

na NAFOA is seeking proposals from qualified graphic designers for designing and editing the print and digital versions of our conference publication, The NAFOA Navigator that is produced twice a year.

The designer must have the ability to adapt to changing schedules and deadlines and solve design issues quickly and creatively. Flexibility with edits and revisions is especially important in the last two-three weeks before the print deadline.

The designer will work with NAFOA staff to determine the overall design look and feel of the Navigator. All final print and digital materials will be owned by NAFOA. For more information and to submit a proposal, visit nafoa.org/jobs.