Updates:
In a very exciting note, Arizona State University’s Spring Graduation included 365 Native American students that completed their degree programs; 17 of those students receiving doctorates! Additionally, we are honored to acknowledge the first cohort from the Pueblo Doctoral Cohort program who graduated 10 Ph.D. students, through a partnership with The Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School and ASU’s School of Social Transformation. We are proud of all our students’ accomplishments!
From the Director:
The last six weeks between mid-April and the end of May have been a whirlwind. In this time frame three major conferences took place that AIPI was part of, including: the Native American Finance Officers Association’s (NAFOA) 33rd Annual Conference, the 4th Annual Tribal Telecom Conference, and the 16th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research.
This year’s spring NAFOA conference was held in Austin, TX on April 20-21, 2015. The conference was focused on economic and financial issues facing Indian Country and brought tribal leaders and professionals together with federal agencies. Some of the major topics discussed included: on and off reservation economic opportunities, innovative investment strategies, legislation that impacts economic growth and development (this year it was a panel discussing the realities of marijuana on Tribal lands), new approaches to accessing low-cost capital, and compliance with the new OMB Uniform Guidance.
On behalf of AIPI, I was there to build awareness about AIPI’s Tribal Financial Manager Certificate Program that we offer in conjunction with NAFOA (the next class is November 4-6, 2015). I did a short presentation about our training (the most recent was held in May) and I generally reached out to leadership and tribal representatives about our training and what we offer.
This year’s Tribal Telecom Conference was in Albuquerque, NM and held May 3-7th, 2015 and was focused on “Weaving the Pathway’s Across the Digital Divide.” Topics included: IPv6 Infrastructure Forum,
Revitalizing Language and Culture through Technology, Public Safety and FirstNet, LifeLine, and a presentation on E-Government and access to technology. Speakers included the Honorable Joe Garcia of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo; Shirley Bloomfield, the CEO of the Rural Broadband Association; and, myself as the closing Keynote.
Of special interest was a presentation titled “Digital Reality: E-Government and Access to Technology and Broadband for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations.” This was presented by two ASU Students: Emery Tahy,
Diné (Navajo), a Graduate Student in American Indian Studies at Arizona State University and an employee of AIPI and Nicholet Deschine Parkhurst (Standing Rock Sioux/Diné (Navajo)), a Doctoral Student in the School of Public Affairs also at Arizona State University. Dr. Karen Mossberger of the School of Public Affairs at ASU and myself were co-authors on this paper and we guided the students in their production of the paper and review of the data. Additionally, I gave the closing Keynote Address at the conference and spoke about the conference topic of “Weaving the Pathway’s Across the Digital Divide.”
The annual Tribal Telecom Conference began in 2012 and grew out of a project focused on taxation in Indian Country as it became clear that there was a need for a high-quality, substantive telecom focused conference for Tribal Nations. The purpose of this conference is to bridge the gap between Native Nations and the telecom industry by providing timely, professional, and tribal-centric information on technical topics. The conference is part of Indian Country’s work in bridging the digital divide.
On May 27-30th, 2015, the Digital Government Society hosted the 16th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research in Phoenix, AZ. The theme for this year was Digital Government and Wicked
Problems: Climate Change, Urbanization, and Inequality. The Digital Government Society is an international multi-discipline organization of scholars and practitioners that are interested in the development and impacts of digital governance.
Speakers included: Debbie Cotton, the Chief Information Officer from the City of Phoenix ; Kris Easton from Google—he is also the Chair of the Google American Indian Network (GAIN); Sascha Meinrath, the Founder and Director of X-Lab; Bob Worsely, Arizona State Senator; and myself. I gave the Keynote closing of the conference. Additionally, Nicholet Deschine Parkhurst (Standing Rock Sioux/Diné (Navajo)), a Doctoral Student in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University presented a different version of the research paper “Digital Reality: E-Government and Access to Technology and Broadband for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations.”
Legislative Update:
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs submitted a report about S.286 Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Governance Act of 2015 on May 22, 2015. This proposed bill would amend the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (PL 93-638) to provide further self-governance by tribal nations and other purposes. If made into law, the Act would streamline the current Department of Interior’s (DOI) process for approving self-governance compacts and annual funding agreements. Similarly to the processes used by the Indian Health Service, the legislation is intended to provide more guidance, assist in timelier decision-making and funding transfers, as well as re-assumption of programs by the Department of Interior’s construction projects. The bill would give DOI the authority to select up to 50 new Indian tribes for participation in the tribal self-governance program. Additionally, the bill will clarify provisions of water settlements and ensures no expansion or limit programs eligibility for self-governance compacts beyond those already authorized under current law. The report provides a comprehensive summary of S.286 and proposed amendments. S.286 was introduced in the Senate on 01/28/15, referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on 02/04/15 and has been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 102.
Sen. John Tester (D-MT) introduced S.1419 A bill to promote the academic achievement of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children with the establishment of a Native American language grant program. A text summary is pending. This bill was introduced in the Senate, read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs on 05/21/15.
Upcoming: “Oversight Hearing on Addressing the Need for Victim Services in Indian Country” will be held on June 10, 2015 at 2:15pm EDT.
Arizona Update:
The shortest Arizona legislative session in the past four decades ended on Friday, April 3, 2015. The 81 day session resulted in 1,163 bills introduced, with 324 of those bills passed by the legislature. Newly elected Governor Doug Ducey signed 324 bills and vetoed 20 bills. The most contentious battles this session centered around creating a balanced budget, wrangling over Common Core and budget cuts to universities to name a few. Governor Ducey’s initial budget in January included increased cuts to Universities and funding sweeps in various departments. Ultimately, the legislature adopted a $9.1 billion budget, with slight increases to Education, Public Safety and Health and Welfare. There were deeper cuts than expected for Universities. Several bills were sponsored and/or cosponsored by Senator Carlyle Begay (D-7), who was one of the top Senate sponsors this session, having been very active in 88 bills proposed. Notably, Sen. Begay was instrumental in the passage of SB 1332 (empowerment scholarship accounts; reservation residences) which would provide for educational opportunities for students with special needs. The passage of SB1332 expands eligibility to a child who resides within an Indian Reservation. Senator Begay was the only member of his party to support the Ducey budget, which drew harsh criticism from Democrats. The other successful bill impacting Arizona tribal nations signed by Governor Ducey, was SB1080 (tribal social services agencies; information) which would expand the duty to report abuse or neglect to include reporting to tribal law enforcement or social service agency for any Indian minor who lives on a reservation. Further SB1080 gives tribal social service agencies access to the Central State Repository or the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ADJIS), for specific purposes.
Opportunities:
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) announces the Tribal Training Initiative that was created to assist applicants on Tribal lands to successfully participate in the Schools and Libraries (E-rate) program. The Tribal training program for the E-rate program includes a new Tribal Liaison, Mackenzie Howard, a USAC staff member who will expressly help applicants navigate the E-rate program. The new Tribal Training web page is currently available and provides resources and training, including the Tribal Training Brochure. A monthly conference call hosted by the Tribal Liaison, will share updates, reminders and guidance. The first call is scheduled for June 10, 2015 at 4pm, EDT. To participate, RSVP or contact Mackenzie Howard, Tribal Liaison at (202) 772-4535 or email TribalTraining@usac.org.
Calendar of a few Upcoming Events in Indian Country
Modernizing and Reforming the United States’ Nation-to-Nation Trust Relations and Indian Trust Asset Management – Webinar | June 4, 2015 | 2pm EDT.
Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) Conference | June 4-6, Washington, D.C.
FREE Training: Forensic Interviewing of Child and Adolescent Victims and Witnesses in Indian Country | June 9-12, 2015 | Columbia, South Carolina
Indian Country Online | June 10-11, 2015 | Pala, California
RES (Reservation Economic Summit) D.C. | June 15-18, 2015 | Washington, D.C.
SBA 8(a) Business Development Training for Native Americans | June 16, 2015 | Portland, Oregon
NCAI 2015 Mid Year Conference | June 28-July 1, 2015 | St. Paul, Minnesota
NAJA – 2015 National Native Media Conference | July 9-12, 2015 | Washington, D.C.
National UNITY Conference | July 10-14, 2015 | Washington, D.C.