Tribal Business News

EXCLUSIVE Q+A: Rudy Soto, the new executive director of the National American Indian Housing Council, brings personal experience and policy expertise to his role addressing Native housing challenges. In our interview, Soto discusses the critical need for NAHASDA reauthorization, obstacles created by Buy America Build America requirements, and promising opportunities through homeownership coalitions and Native CDFIs. Read the full conversation with Tribal Business News about his plans to improve housing access and quality across Indian Country. #NativeHousing #NAHASDA #TribalSovereignty #TribalEconomy #IndianCountry

JUST IN: Climate United Fund has sued EPA and Citibank to unfreeze $6.97 billion in clean energy funding, including $620 million the nonprofit has earmarked for Native communities. The lawsuit reveals 22 tribal projects across 18 states are now stalled, with $63 million for tribal solar plants in jeopardy. "Those communities are excited to get the ball rolling, but there's no money to get these projects moving," Climate United's Phil Aroneanu told us. "Some have already hired contractors they now can't pay." "This isn't about politics; it's about economics," says Beth Bafford, CEO of Climate United. Tribal Business News has a full report on the lawsuit and how EPA's funding freeze is directly impacting tribal energy sovereignty. #TribalEnergy #CleanEnergy #GreenhouseGasReductionFund #EPA

We'd like to hear from tribal leaders and tribal enterprise executives about the impact from current or prospective tariffs on your community.

We'd like to hear from tribal leaders and tribal enterprise executives about the impact from current or prospective tariffs on your community.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Native Voices Rising (NVR) has secured a $7.5 million, five-year partnership with Seattle-based Magic Cabinet to support Native-led organizations across the country, Tribal Business News reports. NVR, which has distributed over $16.5 million to 250 Native-serving organizations since 2013, will direct $1.5 million annually to advance tribal sovereignty and self-determination, with a focus on addressing gaps created by recent federal funding cuts. "At the heart of Native Voices Rising is a commitment to self-determination where Native communities set their own priorities and funding decisions," said Shash Yázhí Moreno Charley, grants manager of NVR.

The Environmental Protection Agency has released $7 billion in Solar for All funding that was frozen in January, including more than $500 million earmarked for tribal communities, Tribal Business News reports. Six tribal organizations received direct funding, including the Northern Plains Tribal Coalition ($135.6M), Oweesta Corporation ($156.1M), and others supporting solar development across Indian Country. Prior to the funding freeze, six tribes in the Upper Midwest had already completed workforce development training, preparing 30 Indigenous participants for solar industry careers. While this funding is now flowing, $20 billion in related "green bank" climate funding remains frozen pending investigations initiated by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. This has raised concerns about ongoing tribal energy projects that depend on this support. #CleanEnergy #TribalEconomy #TribalSolar #WorkforceDevelopment #NativeEnergy

As federal funding cuts threaten critical services, a powerful coalition of 20+ Native organizations has launched a resource hub for tribal nations, Tribal Business News reports. The site offers advocacy tools, congressional contact information, and impact tracking surveys to help tribes protect essential services against recent cuts. The hub aims to safeguard the nation-to-nation relationship amid concerning closures of BIA offices and IHS facilities. #IndianCountry #TribalSovereignty #TreatyRights

SOVEREIGNTY RESTORED: The Karuk Tribe has signed California's first agreement under Senate Bill 310, regaining control over cultural burning practices on ancestral lands, Tribal Business News reports. The landmark agreement with California's Natural Resources Agency marks a significant shift, acknowledging tribal sovereignty and addressing historical injustices that criminalized Indigenous burning practices for over a century. "This victory acknowledges our true sovereignty and supports us in protecting our lands, just as our ancestors did," said Karuk Chairman Russell "Buster" Atteberry. The agreement creates a template for other tribes while supporting traditional ecological knowledge that enhances forest health, reduces wildfire risk, and maintains cultural practices. #TribalSovereignty #CulturalBurns #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge #IndianCounty #Tribal Economy #Forestry #Wildfires #NativeCulture

Do you have 3 minutes? We'd like to hear from tribal leaders and tribal enterprise executives about how tariffs will affect you.

EXCLUSIVE: The IRS has terminated approximately 30 employees from the Office of Indian Tribal Governments (ITG), representing about half of the office's workforce. This office serves as the critical liaison between tribes and the IRS, helping Native communities navigate complex tax issues. A coalition of 14 tribal advocacy groups, including the National Congress of American Indians and the National Indian Health Board, have urged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for immediate reinstatement of these positions, emphasizing these are not discretionary programs but legal obligations based on treaties and trust responsibilities. "Firing thousands of IRS employees, including those at the Office of Indian Tribal Governments, during tax season is absurd," said a spokesperson for Sen. Michael Bennet. "This decision will only benefit ultra-wealthy tax cheats and comes at the direct expense of Tribal Nations." Tribal Business News has this story. #TribalSovereignty #IndianCountry #TaxPolicy #IRS