Late last week, the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) announced an extension to the State Small Business Credit Initiative for Tribal governments.

Tribal governments will now have until September 1st, 2022 to initiate and submit their complete SSBCI Capital Program applications.

From the Department of Treasury announcement:

“The U.S. Department of the Treasury is extending the deadline for Tribal governments to initiate and submit their complete SSBCI Capital Program application to September 1, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and the deadline to submit an application for the SSBCI Technical Assistance (TA) Grant Program to September 1, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Only Tribal governments that submit or are part of a Tribal joint application that submits a Capital Program application are eligible to submit or be part of a Tribal joint application that submits an application for the TA Grant Program. To participate in the SSBCI program, Tribal governments were required to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to Treasury by December 11, 2021. A list of Tribal governments that submitted an NOI by this deadline can be found on Treasury’s website. Treasury seeks to support all Tribal governments that are interested in participating in SSBCI. Treasury will provide information and technical assistance on capital applications to Tribal governments that submit questions to SSBCI_Information@treasury.gov.”

Learn More [PDF]

Tribal governments will now have until September 1st, 2022 to initiate and submit their complete their State Small Business Credit Initiative program applications: https://t.co/OIkFtdwT96

— NAFOA (@nafoaorg) April 21, 2022

Please join the Native American Agriculture Fund for an overview of our 2022 Request for Applications. The first hour (starting at 2 pm CT) will consist of a standard presentation outlining the application process and categories of funding. Join at the top of the second hour (3 pm CT) to participate in a live Q&A with the NAAF staff.

You can choose to attend one or more of the following webinars:

• Apr 28, 2022 02:00 PM Central Time
• May 12, 2022 02:00 PM Central Time
• May 26, 2022 02:00 PM Central Time

Register for a Webinar Session

By Tina Duncan, Business Development Manager, AMERIND

In 1986, more than 400 Tribal governments pooled resources and formed AMERIND. Now 35 years later, AMERIND is the only 100 percent Tribally owned and operated insurance provider serving Indian Country.

“AMERIND has grown and evolved over time. We now offer products and services one would have only dreamed of back in 1986.” said Phil Bush, Chairman of the Board, Chehalis Tribe. “I attribute much of our success to the mission and vision established by the original board of directors. AMERIND is successful today because we have not deviated from the goals and values set forth by these visionary leaders.”

Derek Valdo, CEO, Pueblo of Acoma said, “’Tribes Protecting Tribes’ is more than a tagline for AMERIND. It’s the foundation for every business decision we make. This focus on and commitment to Indian Country is what makes us unique and what keeps us successful.”

Read More in the NAFOA Navigator (pg. 122-123)

Former NAFOA Board member, Dawson Her Many Horses is the first Native American board member to join the Smithsonian National Museum of American History Board.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has added two new board members, entertainment entrepreneur Darnell Strom and banker Dawson Her Many Horses, the first Native American board member to join the board, which has 19 members and 19 alumni members. Both men were approved by the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents in January, and the museum board’s March 3–4 meeting was their first. They have joined the board’s nominating committee responsible for identifying prospective board membership.

The board, led by Chair Enrique Segura, Ph.D., and its vice chair, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Barbara H. Franklin, was established in 1996 and includes historians, business leaders, congressional members and philanthropists and has an active alumni representation. Members advise the director and her leadership team on programs, exhibitions, facilities, development and finance. A complete list of board members and alumni can be found here. Ex officio members of the board include the museum director, the Smithsonian’s Secretary and the Smithsonian’s Under Secretary for Museums and Culture.

Read the full Announcement from the Smithsonian

Sovereign Finance’s immersive summer internship program offers a unique, hands-on experience for qualified students interested in pursuing a career within the investment, finance and economic development fields. Sovereign delivers a comprehensive suite of financial and investment advisory services to Tribal Governments, Tribal Enterprises and Non-Profit Organizations that serve Indian Country.

Interns will work with Sovereign’s professionals to provide high quality advisory services to clients across North America.

Learn More at nafoa.org/jobs