On Tuesday, February 3rd, NAFOA Board President Chairman Rodney Butler (Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian & Insular Affairs Oversight Hearing on “Making Federal Economic Development Programs Work in Indian Country.” This hearing focused on the barriers Tribes face when seeking to access federal economic development programs and on how to overcome them.

In his testimony, President Butler also highlighted the importance of Tribal access and the effectiveness of federal economic development programs:

“Federal programs and tax policy represent critical tools for addressing historic economic disparities in Indian Country. But these tools are only effective when Tribes can access them without navigating decades of regulatory neglect… when Tribes have both access to federal support and a regulatory environment designed with Tribal sovereignty in mind, we build not just sustainable economies—we build thriving, self-determined communities that benefit entire regions.”

Continue Reading the Policy Alert

The United States Mint has released the design for the 2026 Native American $1 Coin, honoring Polly Cooper of the Oneida Indian Nation. Cooper helped deliver food and supplies to General George Washington’s Continental Army during the winter encampment at Valley Forge in 1777–78.

The coin appears as part of the Native American $1 Coin Program. Congress established the program in 2009 to recognize the contributions of tribal nations and Native American individuals to the United States.

Source: Coinweek Continue Reading

Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) reintroduced her bipartisan Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, legislation to strengthen the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) and expand support for Native entrepreneurs. The bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support in 2024 and advanced out of committee in the Senate in 2023, underscoring growing momentum to get it across the finish line.

Currently, the ONAA has a valuable but limited mission: to support Native American entrepreneurs, conduct outreach with tribal communities, and connect Native business owners with SBA resources. However, because the current SBA budget does not include explicit funding for the ONAA, the office can only support a small staff and can be unilaterally disbanded.

The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act would codify the ONAA into federal law, establishing an Assistant Administrator role to oversee its operations and report directly to SBA leadership. It would also create a better government-to-government working relationship with tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. ONAA would also be able to expand its grant-making ability, conduct tribal consultation, utilize SBA’s entrepreneurial and contracting programs, and provide training, counseling, and technical assistance.

Source: Office of U.S. Representative Sharice Davids Continue Reading the Press Release

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April 29-30

NAFOA and the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy (Alliance) announced a strategic partnership to host back-to-back conferences at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, from April 27-30, 2026. The collaboration offers Tribal leaders, finance officers, and energy decision-makers an unprecedented opportunity to participate in two valuable convenings in one location.

NAFOA’s 44th Annual Conference (April 27-28) will be immediately followed by the Alliance’s 2nd Annual Tribal Clean Energy Finance Forum (April 29-30), creating a comprehensive four-day program focused on Tribal economic resilience and energy independence.

The Finance Forum is open to Tribal members and designated representatives.

Travel Support Available
Travel stipends are available for leaders and representatives of federally and state-recognized Tribes with financial need, who attend the NAFOA conference and remain for the entire Finance Forum. Interested participants should contact info@tribalcleanenergy.org for details.

Source: Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy Register to Join

The Finance Director is responsible for leading and overseeing all financial operations of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, including programs and grants funded through federal, state, and tribal sources. This role ensures fiscal compliance, supports strategic budget development, and maintains accurate financial reporting across the organization. Working closely with Department Directors and the Tribal Administrator, the Finance Director plays a key role in fiscal planning, grant oversight, and sustaining financial transparency and integrity throughout all departments.

Learn More & Apply at nafoa.org/jobs