The deadline to apply for the NAFOA Leadership Summit has been extended to Sunday, July 6 at 11:59 p.m. HST.

The Summit is a one-day immersive program for Native young professionals, ages 22–28, interested in careers in Tribal finance, governance, and economic development. Participants will engage directly with Tribal leaders and industry experts through sessions focused on practical knowledge and leadership development.

Helping Someone Apply? Tips for Supporting Applicants
Support can make all the difference for applicants to the NAFOA Leadership Summit. If you’re mentoring, supervising, or simply encouraging a Native young professional, here are some meaningful ways to strengthen their application:

• Share the Opportunity
• Review Their Personal Essays
• Write a Letter of Recommendation

Learn More About the Program & Apply

Sec 3. Treatment of Indian Tribes as States concerning Excise Taxes and Bond Issuance

• Eliminates the “essential government function test”, historically limiting Tribal bond use.
• Establishes parity with state and local governments regarding the ability of Tribes to issue governmental bonds.
• Establishes a private activity bond volume cap of $400 million alongside a separate allocation for Alaska Native Corporations.

Impact: This will open up new avenues for financing critical infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives, and essential government services within Indian Country.

Section 8: Creation of New Markets Tax Credit for tribal statistical areas.

• Creates an annual $175 million New Markets Tax Credit for low-income Tribal communities and for projects that serve or employ Tribe members.
• Attracts private capital to economically distressed communities, specifically Tribal communities, by providing tax credits to investors.

Impact: Increase NMTC deployment in Indian Country through a credit set-aside and addressing long-standing barriers to capital, workforce, and infrastructure development.

Section 9: Increased effectiveness of Tribal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) in Indian Country.

• Modifies the definition of difficult development area to include an Indian area for the purposes of determining eligibility.

Impact: Improve Tribal access to tax credits through the Low-income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), supporting the creation of affordable housing on Tribal lands, meeting urgent needs across Indian Country.

Continue Reading Policy Alert

The Department of the Interior (DOI) is seeking Tribal feedback on its draft 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, which will guide federal priorities and funding for Indian Country over the next several years.

As an active member of the Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty (CTS), NAFOA is sharing resources for use by Tribal leaders and Tribal organizations, including CTS Consultation Talking Points for your reference during the upcoming consultations.

Upcoming DOI Strategic Plan Consultations:
Session 3: West Coast Tribal – Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 12 p.m. Pacific Time
Session 4: Native Hawaiian – Thu, Jun 26, 2025, 9 a.m. Hawaii Time

View the Tribal Leader Talking Points

By: Rodney Butler

This year, the State of Connecticut took important steps forward in its relationship with Tribal Nations — not through symbolism, but through action. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) extends our appreciation to the Connecticut General Assembly and Gov. Ned Lamont for enacting three critical measures — HB 7287, HB 7288, and Public Act 25-59 — that strengthen tribal sovereignty, economic equity, and cultural recognition. These laws affirm what tribal nations across the country have long championed: the ability of our governments to raise revenues and encourage economic development within our jurisdictions, the reclamation and stewardship of our homelands, and honoring and protecting our people. Each bill marks real progress — not only for MPTN, but for the future of tribal-state partnerships throughout the country.

Respecting Tribal Jurisdiction and Economic Self-Governance
With the passage of HB 7287, Connecticut eliminated the practice of dual taxation of property located on tribal trust land — a system that discouraged opportunities for building economic opportunity on our own lands and limited our government’s ability to raise tax revenues.

Source: CT Insider Continue Reading

This is a highly responsible position requiring a unique skill set pertaining to the breadth of grant management functions. The Grants Development Manager is responsible for identifying, securing, and managing grant funding to support the Tribal Government programs and initiatives. This role involves researching potential funding sources, writing grant proposals, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements. The Grants Development Manager will work closely with various departments to align grant opportunities with Tribe goals.

Learn More & Apply at nafoa.org/jobs