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Native relations emerged as a central focus of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday for Secretary of the Interior, where he pledged to uphold the government-to-government relationship with tribes through consultation on issues like public land management.

If confirmed, Burgum would oversee federal programs affecting tribal nations through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, while also managing 500 million acres of public lands — much of it ancestral tribal territory — along with federal wildlife programs and national parks and monuments.

As North Dakota’s governor, Burgum developed relationships with the state’s five tribes. Though tensions arose over his handling of the Dakota Access pipeline protests, he established regular dialogue with tribal leaders, including the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, urged Burgum to maintain tribal consultation before making any changes to conservation designations presently in place. Heinrich requested Burgum meet with him and local leaders before making changes affecting New Mexico.

Source: Native News Online Continue Reading

Deadline: January 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MST

Native Forward Scholars Fund, in partnership with the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, provides financial assistance to American Indians and Alaska Natives to assist with the costs associated with taking the CPA examination sections. Students and professionals seeking CPA licensure are encouraged to apply.

Eligible applicants may receive assistance no more than one time for each section of the CPA examination, and recipients will only be awarded for one section of the exam at a time. Native Forward will provide assistance for application fees, registration fees, and exam fees. This award covers fees incurred to register for the exam and other exam-related expenses. Costs of preparatory courses may be considered depending on funding availability.

Source: Native Forward Scholars Fund Learn More & Apply

Deadline: Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST

At the heart of Honoring Nations is the principle that tribes themselves hold the key to positive social, political, cultural, and economic prosperity—and that self-governance plays a crucial role in building and sustaining strong, healthy Indian nations. Honoring Nations serves as a vehicle for shifting the focus from what does not work to what does, fostering pride and confidence in the ability of American Indian governments to make positive contributions to the wellbeing of their respective communities and citizens. The program is also founded on the idea that Native nations can benefit from having greater access to innovative ideas and effective governing approaches. Honored programs serve as important sources of knowledge and inspiration, and our experience shows that they are drawn upon by communities throughout Indian Country and far beyond.

Honoring Nations invites applications from American Indian governments across a broad range of subject areas: education; health care; resource management; government policy development and reform; justice; intergovernmental relations; and economic, social, and cultural programs.

Source: Harvard Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development Learn More & Apply

The Office of Indian Energy is extending the deadline of the Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development – 2025 funding opportunity to February 6, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET.

Through the $25 million funding opportunity announcement, the Office of Indian Energy anticipates making approximately 20–40 awards that range from $100,000 to $2,500,000 for projects that support the planning, assessment, and development of clean energy for Tribal buildings or on Tribal lands.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs Learn More

The Chief Financial Officer will be responsible for directing all financial and accounting functions of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians Tribal Government and its subordinate, non-gaming entities. The CFO will work with the CEO and Tribal Council to develop and implement an overall financial strategy to maintain and enhance the financial health of the Tribe. Ensures enforcement of, and compliance with, the Tribal Fiscal Policies and Ordinances. The CFO will manage the Finance Department to ensure that all audits, budgets, monthly and annual financial reports, financial administration of grants, and other accounting functions are timely and accurately completed. The CFO must be highly knowledgeable about generally accepted accounting principles GAAP/GASB.

This position must have strong analytical, strategic planning and communication skills, including an ability to work well with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Tribal Council, and other Senior Managers.

Learn More & Apply at nafoa.org/jobs