NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week

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We have exciting news coming next week! NAFOA is dropping something big next week! Here’s a little preview of what’s coming. Any guesses? Photo courtesy NAFOA

5 Things You Need to Know this Week

NAFOA provides resources on every aspect needed for thriving tribal communities.

Monday, June 6, 2022

Source: NAFOA

nafoa.org

1. ENERGY:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO ANNOUNCE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TO POWER UNELECTRIFIED TRIBAL BUILDINGS

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (Office of Indian Energy) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to release a $15 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) this summer to support powering unelectrified tribal buildings.

“Reliable, affordable electricity inside the home is a fundamental service taken for granted by the vast majority of Americans. However, many American Indian and Alaska Native families currently do not have access to electricity (PDF: EIA, 2000). The $15 million in funding that DOE will soon make available is an initial investment in addressing this inequity,” said Wahleah Johns, Director of the Office of Indian Energy.

Through this planned FOA, the Office of Indian Energy intends to solicit applications from federally recognized Indian tribes including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations, to deploy energy infrastructure or integrated energy system(s) to provide electricity to Tribal buildings.

Office of Indian Energy | DOE (@DOEIndianEnergy) on X

There’s so much excitement happening across #IndianCountry, we decided to blog about it! Check out our blog posts, covering everything from #tribalenergy success stories, energy champions, #energy saving tips, recent news, and more! >>> https://t.co/MjaBdjoaAv

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Read the Full Announcement

2. BROADBAND:

NTIA INTERNET FOR ALL WEBINAR: TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT

Next Thursday, June 9th at 4:00PM ET, the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) will host a webinar detailing how Tribal communities can expand high-speed internet service.

NTIA recently released Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for three programs – the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure (Middle Mile) Program, and the Digital Equity Act programs.

NTIA will summarize how each of these programs impact Tribes and discuss best ways to get involved.

3. WATER:

BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION AND EPA ANNOUNCE ACTIONS TO IMPROVE DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES FOR TRIBES AND ALASKA NATIVE VILLAGES

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a suite of actions to improve access to safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. These actions will include the renewal of the Tribal Infrastructure Task Force (ITF) to improve coordination between federal agencies on water, wastewater and sanitation projects in Indian Country.

The agency is also announcing $154 million for Tribes and Alaska Native Villages through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and an additional $2.6 million under the agency’s Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) Grant program. These commitments will help accelerate needed progress to improve public health and environmental protections for historically underserved communities.

Learn More at EPA.gov

4. MEMBER TRIBE NEWS:

“FROM CASINO TO STUDIO: A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE BETS BIG ON HOLLYWOOD”

“In 2018, the Tesuque Pueblo, a small Native American tribe based outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, was trying to decide what to do with their old casino. The tribe had built a new, updated gaming facility, and their economic development board was considering converting their 1950s-era casino lot into a water park, a ropes course or a glamping destination. Another, almost offhand suggestion the group entertained was opening a movie studio.

New Mexico was emerging as a production hotbed, luring films and TV shows with a strong tax incentive, deep crew base, sunny weather and short flights to L.A. Netflix has committed to spending more than $1 billion on production in the state and is expanding its studio in Albuquerque, and Universal has pledged to spend $500 million. But in addition to the possible economic benefits for the Tesuque, the studio brought the promise of something potentially even more compelling — the chance to have a hand in shaping the image of Indigenous people onscreen.”

The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) on X

Go inside how Native American creators and cast — including star Zahn McClarnon — paired with power producers Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin and got AMC to bet $5 million an episode on hotly anticipated series #DarkWinds: https://t.co/JHflRDGm67

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