{"id":294546,"date":"2025-11-10T10:00:06","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T16:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=294546"},"modified":"2025-11-10T12:07:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T18:07:38","slug":"nafoa-5-things-you-need-to-know-this-week-november-10-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/11\/10\/nafoa-5-things-you-need-to-know-this-week-november-10-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week (November 10, 2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"\"NAFOA\"<\/a>
This Veteran’s Day, NAFOA remembers and honors the Native veterans who have served and died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Photo courtesy NAFOA<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n
5 Things You Need to Know this Week<\/div>\r\nThe federal government has been shut down for 41 days (with possible end in sight).\r\n
Monday, November 10, 2025<\/div>\r\n
Source: NAFOA<\/div>\r\n
nafoa.org<\/a><\/div>\r\n

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1. POLICY ALERT:<\/EM><\/div>\r\n
Impacts of Government Shutdowns and Agency Reduction in Force on Native Communities<\/div>\r\nIn testimony before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) on October 29, Tribal leaders and advocates detailed how the ongoing federal government shutdown and agency reductions in force (RIF) are impacting Native communities. Representatives from several Tribal organizations emphasized that these disruptions constitute direct violations of the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations\u2014obligations that are not discretionary but legally mandated and prepaid through the cession of millions of acres of Tribal lands and resources. \r\n

<\/p>\r\nIn his opening statement, Vice Chair Schatz (D-HI) said of the shutdown, \u201cWhen the government shuts down, the trust and treaty and legal obligations do not vanish, but they are put at risk. Promises to provide healthcare, housing, education, and public safety, among many other critical services, are all on the chopping block. Communities are scrambling to secure alternate or reserve funding just in case their federal funds fall through, and several tribes have declared states of emergency due to the funding and service shortfalls\u201d (15:45).\r\n

<\/p>\r\nContinue Reading<\/a>\r\n\r\n

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2. MUST READ:<\/EM><\/div>\r\n
Investing in Health, Tribal Nations Reap More Than Economic Benefits<\/div>\r\nThe Chickasaw Nation, the Choctaw Nation, and the Pawnee Nation are three tribal nations in Oklahoma exercising their inherent sovereign rights to design and provide the health care their communities want and need. A look at how these three nations approached that work sheds light on tribal health care enterprises\u2019 benefits for Native people and larger regional economies. \r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cWithout compacting and utilizing our sovereignty, we would not be where we are today. It used to be that a prescribed amount was going to dental or behavioral health. Now we had the opportunity, responsibility, and accountability to listen to our tribal members, determine what their needs were, and build a system that met their needs,” Chief Gary Batton of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nSource: Fed Communities\r\nContinue Reading<\/a>\r\n\r\n

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3. MEMBER TRIBE NEWS:<\/EM><\/div>\r\n
Oklahoma Tribes Step in to Feed Citizens as Federal Shutdown Threatens Food Aid<\/div>\r\nAs the government shutdown threatens food assistance for tens of thousands of low-income Oklahomans, the state\u2019s American Indian Tribes are stepping in to help affected Tribal citizens. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. announced October 29 that the tribe would dedicate $6.5 million to ensuring its citizens who receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits would still receive food.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cMany of our members around the Nation rely on SNAP benefits to feed themselves and their families,\u201d said Choctaw Chief Gary Batton. \u201cWith the federal government temporarily unable to meet its obligations, we will look for ways to help tribal members in need.\u201d\r\n

<\/p>\r\nSource: The Frontier\r\nContinue Reading<\/a>\r\n\r\n

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4. WEBINAR:<\/EM><\/div>\r\n
Unlock the Power of Reporting in Tribal Gaming<\/div>\r\nTuesday, December 2nd, 2025, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CT\r\n

<\/p>\r\nFor Tribal gaming operators, data isn\u2019t just numbers \u2014 it\u2019s a strategic asset. Strong reporting can help you meet regulatory requirements, improve performance, and prepare for audits with confidence.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThis webinar will cover the following:\r\n

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