Thursday, June 18th, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST[/sub]
Join the NAFOA and the U.S. Department of the Treasury for an informational session about the successful implementation of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding in Tribal Communities.
The allocation of SSBCI Funding to Tribal Nations is a historic investment in Indian Country Economic Development that Tribes previously lacked. Likewise, many questions have emerged regarding funding utilization and tight timelines.
Learn about next steps with SSBCI, how your Tribe can pivot if necessary, and how other Tribes have successfully deployed their SSBCI allocations.
Tomorrow, Tuesday June 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern, NAFOA President Rodney Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, is scheduled to testify before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Indian & Insular Affairs, at a legislative hearing regarding the Tribal Regulatory Reform Implementation Act of 2026 (H.R. 8954).
The bill, introduced by Chairman Jeff Hurd (R-CO) in May, would shift the authority to carry out the responsibilities of the Indian Tribal Regulatory Reform and Business Development Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-447, “ITARA”) from the Department of Commerce to the Department of the Interior. ITARA, which originated as S. 614 introduced by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), was intended to identify and eliminate barriers in federal law that restrict investment and economic development on Indian Lands. By transferring this authority, the Tribal Regulatory Reform Implementation Act of 2026 would consolidate Tribal economic development oversight within the Department of the Interior.
This hearing will be livestreamed and held in the Longworth House Office Building, Room 1324.
Watch NAFOA’s Testimony Live on June 9th at 2 PM ET
The Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition is providing three types of free financial coaching to American Indians and Alaska Natives and others in the United States: 1) credit builder/credit counseling sessions, 2) homebuyer education, and 3) money management coaching (i.e. help with budgeting).
Confidential sessions are offered one-on-one, by teleconference (zoom) or phone call, with certified credit counselor, homebuyer education provider, and/or financial educators. Typically, these sessions will last for a minimum of thirty minutes and, depending upon the financial coach, are available on weekdays and Saturday mornings.
Source: Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition
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By: Tasha Repp, Principal, National Tribal & Gaming Sector Leader, Baker Tilly x Moss Adams
The Treasury’s final rules on Tribal general welfare benefit programs are more than a tax update—they’re a catalyst for rethinking how Tribes design, deliver, and evaluate benefits for their citizens. Effective January 1, 2027, the rules clarify when benefits can be excluded from taxable income. But the bigger opportunity lies in using this moment to modernize programs, align them with community needs, and improve how services are delivered.
Many Tribal benefit programs—particularly per capita distributions—have historically resulted in taxable income to tribal members. The new rules reinforce that properly structured general welfare programs can deliver similar or greater impact on a tax-exempt basis. That creates a natural inflection point: if you’re going to redesign benefits for tax efficiency, it also makes sense to evaluate whether those programs are meeting the needs of your community— and how effectively they’re being delivered.
Download & Read the NAFOA Navigator (pg 126-127)
If you are experiencing issues with the link, visit nafoa.org/conference for the direct link to the Navigator.
The General Ledger Accountant for Tribal Government will be responsible for managing and overseeing the general ledger accounting functions for the Tribe. This individual will play a key role in ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with regulatory requirements, and efficient financial operations.
