The Financial Reporting and Information Guide for Tribal Governments and Enterprises (Orange Book) is still on sale until the end of June. Photo courtesy NAFOA

5 Things You Need to Know this Week

Finding opportunities for growth and sustainability.

1. COVID-19 UPDATES:

DISTRICT COURT RULES TREASURY MUST DISBURSE REMAINING CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND

On June 15, 2020, the D.C. District Court granted a renewed motion for a preliminary injunction in the case Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians et. al. v. Steven Mnuchin. 

The Order requires the Department of the Treasury to disburse the $679 million it held back from the second tranche of Coronavirus Relief Fund payments ($3.2 billion) to tribal governments by June 17, 2020. 

According to Treasury, as of June 17, all payments based on employment and expenditure data, other than payment of amounts allocated to Alaska Native corporations, have been made. 

For more, read NAFOA’s broadcast on the DC District Court ruling.

2. POLICY:
OMB MEMO (M-20-26) PROVIDES EXTENSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE RELIEF FOR RECIPIENTS AND APPLICANTS OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 

OMB Memo, M-20-26, provides an extension of Allowability of salaries and other project activities (item 6 in M-20-17) through September 30, 2020, and Extension of Single Audit submission (item 13 in M-20-17) through December 31, 2020, to allow a responsible transition to normal operations. 

In light of the limited funding resources provided for each Federal award to achieve its own public performance goals, OMB added restrictions to the flexibilities allowed in the Allowability of salaries and other project activities. Clarifying, that salaries cannot be paid by a Federal award and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans or other Federal CARES Act funding to avoid double-charging. Please see the OMB Memo in full here.

Questions regarding the above administrative relief provisions should be directed to the Office of Federal Financial Management at GrantsTeam@omb.eop.gov.

3.  OPPORTUNITIES:
REQUEST FOR TRIBAL PROJECTS

NAFOA has recently been in conversations with an investor interested in working within Indian Country.  The investor is interested in financing any project within Indian Country that would have a high positive impact for the community as well as provide some return-on-investment. They are looking to invest their capital long-term. While they are not tied to any specific sector or investment type, they mentioned particular interest in renewable energy projects in the southwest, opportunity zone investments, and real estate. NAFOA plans to discuss a handful of tribal projects that will best fit the interests of the investor.

If your tribe is interested in submitting a project for review, please fill out this brief form. We only need very basic information at this point, and will follow up for more information if needed. 

4.  FOR TRIBAL LEADERS:
INTERIOR CONSULTATIONS ON INDIAN SELF DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT

The Department of the Interior (DOI) invites tribal leaders to participate in two upcoming consultations on the framework of Section 105(I) of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA). Under Section 105(I), Tribes carrying out Federal functions under a self­ determination contract or self-governance compact may enter into a lease agreement with Interior for facilities used for Federal functions.

The consultations will take place Monday, June 29th, 1 PM- 3 PM EDT and Wednesday, July 1st, 1 PM – 3 PM EDT.  For more information, read the Dear Tribal Leader Letter from DOI. 

5. MEMBER TRIBE FEATURE:
SNOQUALMIE AND EIGHTH GENERATION

Eighth Generation is a Native-owned and operated company based in Seattle, WA. It was founded in 2008 by Louie Gong (Nooksack) — a self-taught artist, entrepreneur and educator widely known for merging traditional Coast Salish art with influences from his urban environment. Now the first Native-owned company to offer Wool Blankets, with a flagship retail store in Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market, Eighth Generation has become one of the fastest-growing Native-owned companies in the nation.

The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe in the Pacific Northwest purchased the company in late 2019. It was the featured Member Tribe Product at the virtual 38th Annual NAFOA Conference.