Indian Country

Call To Action: Upcoming Tribal Consultations: Indian Affairs Workforce Efficiency and Productivity – EO 14210

tlmorri3 — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 23:03:48 +0000

Call To Action: Upcoming Tribal Consultations: Indian Affairs Workforce Efficiency and Productivity – EO 14210

tlmorri3 April 22, 2025

AIPI Blog

Call To Action: Upcoming Tribal Consultations: Indian Affairs Workforce Efficiency and Productivity – EO 14210

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Indian Affairs office has announced a new series of Tribal consultations in response to Executive Order 14210: “Revitalizing the Federal Workforce,” issued by President Trump on February 11, 2025. This directive establishes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Workforce Optimization Initiative, a government-wide effort to reform the federal workforce by enhancing efficiency, streamlining operations, and improving the delivery of services to the American public, including Tribal Nations.

Who Should Attend?
These consultations are open to elected Tribal leaders or their designated proxies. Tribal citizens, staff, and organizations are also welcome to attend and listen in.

What’s at Stake?
As required by EO 14210, all federal agencies must develop an Agency Reorganization Plan to enhance workforce efficiency and productivity. For agencies serving Tribal Nations, such as Indian Affairs, this process must comply with related federal policies that require meaningful and timely Tribal consultation when developing policies with Tribal implications.

Thus, the decisions informed by these consultations extend beyond internal efficiency; they directly impact the federal government’s ability to uphold its trust and treaty obligations. This process provides a crucial opportunity for Tribal leaders to ensure that restructuring efforts align with Tribal priorities, protect sovereignty, and preserve vital services for Tribal communities.

Consultation Schedule

Session	Area	Format	Date & Time
1	Alaska	Hybrid	May 20, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. AT
2	California	Hybrid	May 22, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PT
3	Albuquerque	Hybrid	May 27, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. MT
4	Minnesota	Hybrid	May 29, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT
5	BIE Personnel	Virtual Only	May 30, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
6	Oklahoma	Hybrid	June 3, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT
7	Washington, DC	Hybrid	June 5, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
8	Open	Virtual Only	June 6, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET

Why It Matters
In a time of shifting political priorities and heightened scrutiny of federal programs, the future of Indian Affairs is being shaped in real time. Decisions made under the banner of efficiency and streamlining can have profound consequences for Tribal Nations, particularly if those decisions are made without meaningful input from the Tribal community.

Thus, these consultations are not just procedural, but pivotal. They provide formal avenues for Tribal Nations to assert their sovereignty, elevate community priorities, and ensure that restructuring efforts do not compromise the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations.

With EO 14210 driving a government-wide push for workforce realignment, Indian Country must remain at the table to ensure its representation. These sessions provide an opportunity to remind federal agencies that Tribal communities are not just stakeholders; they are sovereign nations. It’s essential to understand how services are delivered, but even more critical to ask who makes those decisions, and whether they reflect the self-determined priorities and visions of Tribal Nations.

How to Participate

Now more than ever, Tribal voices are essential in shaping a future for Indian Affairs that is accountable, responsive, and rooted in the government-to-government relationship. Visit the official Indian Affairs website to register for upcoming consultation meetings!

Additionally, you can review the official Dear Tribal Leader Letter for more information and context. Written comments can be submitted to consultation@bia.gov by May 24, 2024.

Posted on

April 22, 2025

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ILA’s Leadership Program for Indigenous Education Professionals

kssatter — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:20:40 +0000

ILA’s Leadership Program for Indigenous Education Professionals

kssatter April 10, 2025

AIPI Blog

ILA’s Leadership Program for Indigenous Education Professionals

Because the next generation deserves Indigenous leaders in every classroom—and every decision-making room.

Content

Why Indigenous Leadership Matters in Education
How to Move Up in Education as a Native Professional
Opportunities for Indigenous Professional Development in Education

Why Indigenous Leadership Matters in Education

Indigenous students thrive when they see their cultures, values, and communities reflected in their learning environments. Yet, according to the National Indian Education Association, Native students are far less likely than their peers to have a teacher who shares their racial and ethnic background, and the vast majority of teachers in American Indian and Alaskan Native majority schools are white (61%); just 29% of teachers in American Indian and Alaskan Native majority schools are Indigenous, and only 10% of public school teachers in Hawaii and Alaska are Native Hawaiians or Native Alaskans.

That’s why investing in Indigenous educational leadership development is critical—representation at the front of the classroom isn’t enough. We need Native educators to shape what and how we teach.

Today’s Indigenous educators are the changemakers we need in leadership roles—guiding curriculum, mentoring staff, and advocating for systems that reflect the needs of Native learners. Building leadership skills for Indigenous educators ensures that the future of education is not only more inclusive but also more effective.

If you’ve ever wondered how Indigenous educators can grow into leadership roles, you’re already on the right path. From classroom teachers to school leaders, the journey isn’t just about promotions—it’s about impact. It’s about supporting Native teachers in becoming school leaders who carry community knowledge and cultural wisdom into every decision they make.

If you're ready for career growth as an Indigenous teacher, consider what’s possible when you join a program built on culturally relevant leadership development in education.

How to Move Up in Education as a Native Professional

After a few years in the classroom, many Native educators begin to ask: How can I expand my impact beyond the students in front of me?

Leadership can take many forms—department chairs, curriculum leads, principals, policy advisors, or mentors to new teachers. The key is finding a program that meets you where you are. Whether you’re interested in mentorship, curriculum development, or school administration, Indigenous educators' leadership training can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Through intentional leadership skill-building for Indigenous educators, you’ll learn how to lead change and advocate for your students from positions of influence. The right education career development for Native professionals isn’t just about earning credentials. It’s about unlocking your voice and your vision for community-centered education.

Opportunities for Indigenous Professional Development in Education

If you’re seeking professional growth as an Indigenous educator, the Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA) is here to guide you in your next steps.

This Indigenous education leadership program is built for mid-career professionals—those with 3–5 years of experience who are already making a difference and are now ready to do even more. The Academy offers a space to build confidence, gain strategic skills, and grow alongside other Native changemakers. Through culturally relevant content, practical projects, and community support, participants leave ready to lead in any educational setting.

Ready to Step Into Leadership?

Leadership in Indigenous education starts with you. Join a growing network of Native educators reshaping the future—one school, one classroom, one system at a time.

Learn more about ILA

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April 10, 2025

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ILA’s Leadership Program for Indigenous Health Care Professionals

kssatter — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:14:43 +0000

ILA’s Leadership Program for Indigenous Health Care Professionals

kssatter April 10, 2025

AIPI Blog

ILA’s Leadership Program for Indigenous Health Care Professionals

Grow your career. Lead your community. Step into your power.

Content:

Why Indigenous Leadership Matters in Health Care
How to Move Up in Health Care as a Native Professional
Introducing the Indigenous Health Care Leadership Academy

Why Indigenous Leadership Matters in Health Care

Indigenous healthcare professionals can address the unique disparities faced by Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Hawaiian Natives, who, according to the Indian Health Service, have long experienced lower health status, lower life expectancy, and disproportionate disease compared to other Americans. Native Americans are faced with nearly a 5-year lower life expectancy than the general population, infant mortality rates are 50% - 60% higher, and chronic diseases impact Native Americans at 1.5 to 2 times the rate of the average American, including diabetes and heart disease.

Strong Indigenous healthcare leadership is essential to closing equity gaps, improving patient outcomes, and reclaiming culturally grounded care. When Native voices are in decision-making roles, healthcare becomes more responsive, respectful, and effective.

For those seeking health career growth in Indigenous communities, leadership development isn’t just about personal success; it’s about creating systems where our communities can thrive.

Whether you work in a clinic, serve as a behavioral health specialist, or support patients as a nurse, your lived experience is a powerful tool in shaping the future of Native healthcare.

How to Move Up in Health Care as a Native Professional

After 3–5 years in the field, many Indigenous healthcare workers start to ask: What’s next for me?

That next step could be leadership, which comes in many forms. Many Indigenous health care professionals want to do more—to mentor, manage, advocate, or guide their teams—but they don’t always have a clear path forward.

If you’re wondering how to move up in healthcare as a Native professional, you’re not alone. That’s where healthcare leadership training for Indigenous professionals comes in. Whether your dream is to lead a clinic, direct a community health program, or help shape national policy, developing your leadership skills is the key. Indigenous professionals need more than just technical expertise; they need tools to navigate systems, inspire others, and lead with cultural integrity.

That’s why access to Indigenous professional development in healthcare is so critical. Whether you’re in public health, patient care, or mental wellness, there are programs designed to help you grow your skills without disconnecting from your values. ILA is a cohort-based model that offers peer support, mentorship and applied learning. This is an Indigenous health professional leadership course built with your goals and community in mind.

There is a growing movement in Indigenous leadership development for healthcare, and you belong in it.

Introducing the Indigenous Health Care Leadership Academy

If you’re ready to lead but unsure how to take the next step, the Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA) is here to support you.

This Indigenous healthcare leadership program was designed specifically for Native professionals with 3–5 years of experience. Whether you're a frontline provider or behind-the-scenes strategist, ILA can help you step confidently into leadership.

It’s not just a training. It’s a transformational journey.

The Academy offers a space to build confidence, gain strategic skills, and grow alongside other Native changemakers. Through culturally relevant content, practical projects, and community support, participants leave ready to lead in any healthcare setting.

Whether you’re seeking Native American healthcare leadership opportunities, First Nations health leadership training, or simply a supportive environment to grow, this program is for you.

Ready to Lead?

Join a network of Indigenous healthcare professionals who are leading with heart, purpose, and community at the center.

Learn more about ILA

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April 10, 2025

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Notice of Funding: Tribal Transit Program Grant

tlmorri3 — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 19:50:24 +0000

Notice of Funding: Tribal Transit Program Grant

tlmorri3 October 9, 2024

AIPI Blog

Notice of Funding: Tribal Transit Program Grant

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a FY 2024 Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Program (TTP) grant. The funds will be awarded competitively for any purpose eligible under FTA’s Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program, including planning, capital, and operating assistance for tribal public transit services in rural areas.

Opportunity ID: FTA-2024-012-TPM-TRTR

Eligible applicants include:

Federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
The list of Federally Recognized tribes can be found here.

Additional Applicant Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, applicants must have sufficient legal, financial, and technical capabilities to receive and administer Federal funds under this program.
Additionally, applicants must provide transit service in a rural area with a population of less than 50,000.
- A service area can include some portions of urban areas (as identified in the 2020 census), so long as rural areas are also served.
- For purposes of this funding opportunity, eligible service areas are rural areas as defined under the 2020 census.
- Please visit this webpage for information and resources about rural areas defined under the 2020 census, including an interactive map.

Eligible Projects:

Any purpose eligible under FTA’s Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program, 49 U.S.C. 5311, including public transportation planning, capital, or operating expenses.

Additional Project Eligibility Information:

Public transportation includes regular, continuing shared-ride surface transportation services open to the public or open to a segment of the public defined by age, disability, or low income.
Specific types of projects include:
- capital investment for start-ups, replacement, or expansion needs;
- operating assistance; and
- planning projects up to $50,000.
Applications that include requests for more than one project type must identify the specific funds requested for each project type (planning, capital, or operating).
Indian tribes applying for capital replacement or expansion must describe the source of operating funds that will be available to support existing or expanded transit services.

The TTP supports FTA’s strategic goals through investments that enhance safety, review our transit systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the public transportation sector, improve equity, and connect communities.

Applicants should register on the Grants.gov website well before the application deadline. Each applicant is required to be registered in SAM before submitting an application, provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application, and continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times when the applicant is applying for a grant or has an active grant from a Federal Agency.

Deadline: November 13, 2024, 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time via electronic submission to https://www.Grants.gov

Maximum Cap on Planning Grant Awards: $50,000

Minimum Cap on Planning Grant Awards: no minimum

Grantor Contact Information: Elan Flippin-Jones; (202) 366-3800; tribaltransit@dot.gov

Funding History:

In FY 2023, the program received applications for 41 eligible projects requesting a total of $19 million.
22 projects were funded to 22 tribes at a total of $9.9 million.
The funding awarded ranged from $25,000 to over $1,000,000.

For additional information on how to apply, please see the grant instructions available at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/notices-funding/fy-2024-notice-funding-opportunity-public-transportation-indian-reservations

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October 9, 2024

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Unrelenting Litigation? The Supreme Court’s Overruling of Chevron in Loper Bright Enterprises & Relentless, Inc. and What’s Next for Tribes

bsantist — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:00:38 +0000

Unrelenting Litigation? The Supreme Court’s Overruling of Chevron in Loper Bright Enterprises & Relentless, Inc. and What’s Next for Tribes

bsantist July 8, 2024

AIPI Blog

Unrelenting Litigation? The Supreme Court’s Overruling of Chevron in Loper Bright Enterprises & Relentless, Inc. and What’s Next for Tribes

The decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. is just as impactful as the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, its ruling on Presidential immunity, or any of the other recent blockbuster decisions. On its face, Loper Bright appeared to be a rather benign case involving commercial fishing vessels and whether private parties had to pay for federal observers on those vessels for purposes of monitoring possible overfishing – a scenario with little relevance to most tribes. But what it actually did is much more foundational and potentially far-reaching for Indian Country.

Last Friday, June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court, with a 6-3 majority divided along ideological lines, released its opinion in the case Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce (decided together with the case Relentless, Inc. v. Dept. of Commerce), 603 U.S. ____ (2024). The ruling eliminated a fundamental principle of administrative law known as "Chevron deference" that had been in place for 40 years. In sum, the ruling means that federal courts will no longer give deference to federal agency interpretations of ambiguities or gaps in federal law, but instead independently take on those legal interpretations themselves.

This is important because now it will be up to federal courts primarily to address such ambiguities or gaps in the law in the administrative agency context. Going forward that could mean that federal agency actions (including actions affecting tribes) are more frequently overturned by the courts or more frequently decided in the first instance by courts rather than agencies.

The rule of agency deference had been in effect since its pronouncement by the Supreme Court in the case Chevron U.S.A. Inc v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837 (1984). The rule pertained to decisions made by federal administrative agencies involving ambiguous or incomplete congressional statutes and involved a two-step analysis by a court reviewing a challenge to the agency’s action under the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq. The court would first determine if Congress had specifically addressed the issue at hand in the relevant statute – if so, that was the end of the court’s inquiry and the court either upheld agency action aligning with congressional intent or rejected contrary action. Id. at 842. But if the court determined there to be an ambiguity in the law or the statute did not address the issue at hand, the court was to defer to the agency's expertise and not disturb the agency action in interpreting the statute, so long as the agency in essence acted reasonably and had support for its interpretation. Id. at 843, 865. This deference by the reviewing court had to be given, even if the court independently disagreed with the agency’s interpretation. Id. Under the Loper Bright decision, courts will no longer give such deference and are to interpret ambiguities and gaps in the law themselves in assessing an agency action challenge.

The need for such agency interpretations is very common, because Congress cannot address every possible scenario or contingency when drafting statutes, such that laws are often unclear or incomplete. In the Chevron case, the Supreme Court had reasoned that allowing for agency interpretations made sense because the relevant agency would have the technical expertise and experience to fill in gaps in the law in a practical manner. Now courts will fill that role.

Although the nature of the process issue raised in the case – whether an agency or a court should interpret statutory ambiguities – may seem abstract on the surface, the Loper Bright ruling from Friday is groundbreaking and possibly affects 40 years of subsequent court decisions implementing the Chevron deference rule. It has implications for tribes across the country in many different possible contexts – virtually all federal agencies with which tribes interact could be affected. But the specifics will have to be gained from future litigation testing how courts react with their new-found responsibilities under the Loper Bright decision.

In viewing the future of administrative action, the various views held of Chevron over the past four decades will undoubtedly be invoked. There are those who believed wholeheartedly in its deference to administrative agency experts, and do not believe courts could ever have sufficient technical expertise to tackle agency work. And many of those same supporters believe that agency interpretations of less-than-clear statutes are a form of policy-making that courts should not be taking from the executive branch with its prerogative to create policy under any given Presidential Administration. Those concerns will be compounded when taking into account most federal courts already have full dockets and limited bandwidth to take on a significant portion of the role of federal agencies. On the other hand, there are those who have complained for decades about many of the deficiencies in Chevron, noted in the Supreme Court decision overturning it – among them, the lack of uniformity in defining what constitutes a statutory ambiguity, the “thumb on the scale” bias upholding much agency action, and a lack of congruence with the Administrative Procedure Act in its direction that relevant questions of law are to be decided by reviewing courts, not agencies. Those alleged faults with Chevron are on top of its detractors’ most significant argument – Chevron failed to adhere to the Constitution’s separation of powers requirements and amounts to a power grab by the administrative state.

So what does all of this mean for tribes? Like other parties dealing with federal agencies, many tribes have had a “love it” or “hate it” view of Chevron that often varied depending upon the particular matter at hand. If you were in front of an agency that granted a decision favorable to your cause and the agency had a reasonable basis for doing so, you had a good chance of it withstanding an appeal. But if the agency issued an unfavorable decision to you, or if the actions of another party that you opposed were approved, the chances for reversal on appeal often were challenging. After the Loper Bright decision, that dynamic may be less certain, because a court will now independently review any ambiguous or incomplete provisions of the law at hand, without necessarily taking into account the agency’s attempt to do so. That statement as to predictability is subject, of course, to the assumption that judicial review of agency action will itself be free from political or other predictable leanings.

Regardless of how tribes may have felt about Chevron or its tendency to uphold agency decisions, one thing is almost certain from the Loper Bright decision – tribes need to plan to be part of the litigation that will be necessary to fill in the contours of the decision for years to come. That is not “the sky is falling” talk. Overruling, or at least calling into question, the past 40 years of administrative law precedent decided in Chevron and its progeny, without an overarching framework to take its place other than to say it is up to federal judges to take back from federal agencies the responsibility of interpreting federal law, will cause a major shift. And tribes need to be a part of the foundational rebuilding process. But doing so is likely to be costly for tribes and any other parties who routinely interact with federal agencies. The stability of agency deference likely will give way to the unpredictability of court interpretations (at least initially after this decision); unpredictable courts require a trial-and-error approach to get precedent in place to create future stability; and such an approach obviously will require a greater expenditure of time, effort and resources than a path with greater certainty from the outset.

What is the next step for tribes after Loper Bright and its overruling of Chevron? Litigation budgeting and planning. Because it’s coming, so tribes should get ready. That may be the one near-certainty stemming from the uncertainty caused by Loper Bright.

Posted on

July 8, 2024

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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to create the Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) alert code for the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

bsantist — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 20:20:36 +0000

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to create the Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) alert code for the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

bsantist June 14, 2024

AIPI Blog

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to create the Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) alert code for the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

On March 14, 2024, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to create the Missing and Endangered Persons (MEP) alert code for the Emergency Alert System (EAS). This proposed MEP event code would address missing adults ages 18 - 64 who fall outside of the event codes for AMBER and Silver alerts. The Not Invisible Act Commision and the National Congress of American Indians have recommended that New alerts be created to help address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis facing Tribal communities.

The EAS is used to deliver emergency information to large audiences (i.e. weather and disaster alerts) through broadcast mediums like radio and TV. The following are some of the questions from the FCC regarding the new event code.

Other than national emergencies, participation in the EAS is voluntary. Would the creation of a dedicated event code for MEP increase voluntary participation in retransmitting alerts?
Should there be a dedicated event code for Missing Indigenous Persons? (Similar to the Feather Alert or Colorado and Washington’s Missing Indigenous Person Alert.)
Should the proposed MEP event code also be extended to the Wireless Emergency Alert System to enable alerts to mobile devices?
Are there any concerns for privacy, civil rights, or Tribal Sovereignty in the creation and implementation for these kinds of alerts?

Additional questions, technical information, and background can be found in the full NPRM document. The FCC is accepting reply comments through June 17, 2024. The FCC’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy is also hosting a virtual consultation on June 17, 2024 1 - 3 PM ET. Information on how to submit a comment can be found at the FCC’s MEP page.

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June 14, 2024

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Reauthorization of H.R. 7888 carries substantial implications for Tribal Sovereignty

bsantist — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:05:23 +0000

Reauthorization of H.R. 7888 carries substantial implications for Tribal Sovereignty

bsantist April 17, 2024

AIPI Blog

Reauthorization of H.R. 7888 carries substantial implications for Tribal Sovereignty

Earlier this month, H.R. 7888 was introduced to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA). This bill includes an amendment that expands FISA’s current definition of an “Electronic Communication Service Provider” beyond a traditional Internet Service Provider to any service provider with access to electronic communication equipment. This expansion has significant implications for Tribal Nations and tribal entities that work in the digital space.

FISA is meant to be used to gather information on foreign adversaries, and the data can be collected without a court order. However, the collection of electronic information could occur on electronic communication equipment located within the US, which puts the information of everyone using the same US-based equipment at risk. Although the bill provides exceptions for a few entities, it does not mention exemptions for tribal entities. Tribes that operate their own ISPs, data centers, and other digital ventures may be subject to this new proposed definition, and that carries substantial implications for Tribal Sovereignty.

H.R. 7888 passed in the US House of Representatives and is now awaiting a vote in the U.S. Senate. Tribes and tribal entities who have questions or concerns about the bill or are looking for clarification on its impact on Tribal Sovereignty should make sure to reach out to their Senators to give their input on this pending legislation.

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April 17, 2024

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Explainer: BEAD Challenge Process: AZ BEAD Program Update

bsantist — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 20:36:31 +0000

Explainer: BEAD Challenge Process: AZ BEAD Program Update

bsantist March 13, 2024

AIPI Blog

Explainer: BEAD Challenge Process: AZ BEAD Program Update

On March 1, 2024, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) initiated Arizona’s challenge process as required by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD). The BEAD is a federal grant program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The BEAD is meant to expand access to high-speed internet across the country, and Arizona has been awarded approximately $993 million to accomplish this goal. This challenge process is the latest step in implementing BEAD, following the development of Arizona’s BEAD Five-Year Action Plan and BEAD Initial Proposals Vol.1 and Vol. 2 in 2023. The full details of Arizona’s BEAD challenge process are on the ACA’s challenge process website, and this explainer will give an introduction to the process.

The BEAD challenge process is a key part of the program because it gives an opportunity to correct the data used to determine how and where BEAD funding is utilized. The BEAD program is based on connecting Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSL), such as houses and apartment buildings, and Community Anchor Institutions (CAI), such as schools and libraries. Therefore it is crucial that data on a BSL in a given area is accurate so that connectivity needs are addressed. Arizona’s BEAD challenge map is an interactive map that shows individual BSLs and CAIs and the information associated with those locations. This map should be reviewed to see if the state’s information on a given location is accurate.

The NTIA guidance document explains that states have 120 days to complete the entire challenge process. This means that the publication of BSLs and CAI data, challenge submission period, rebuttal period, and final determinations must all be completed within 120 days. The ACA established the following timeline for Arizona’s challenge process:

March 1, 2024 - challenge process portal open for registration
March 15, 2024 - challenge process submission starts and rebuttal starts on a rolling basis, service providers will have 15 calendar days from a notification of a challenge to provide a rebuttal
May 14, 2024 - challenge process submission ends
May 15 - June 30, 2024 - Final determination phase

Not everyone is eligible to submit a challenge. The BEAD NOFO only allows states to accept challenges from four categories of challengers. Eligible challengers must register on the ACA website and identify themselves as a part of one of the categories:

Local governments
Tribal governments
Nonprofit organizations
Internet service providers

The Arizona BEAD challenge map uses data from the FCC’s National Broadband Map. However, the BEAD challenge process does not allow challenges to add new BSLs or other locations to the Arizona BEAD challenge map. Challenges regarding new BSLs or other locations can be submitted to the FCC, but they will not be reflected on the Arizona BEAD challenge map. The BEAD challenge process allows for nine different types of challenges based on the circumstances at each BSL identified on the map. These challenge types are:

Availability
Speed
Latency
Data Cap
Business Service Only
Is/is not part of an Enforceable Commitment
Planned Service
Location is/is not a Community Anchor Institution (CAI)
CAI qualifying broadband service is unavailable/available

These challenges can be applied to individual BSLs and CAIs marked on the Arizona BEAD challenge map. Below is a brief explanation of challenge types from the NTIA Model Challenge Process:

Availability & Business Service Only - These challenge types involve the internet service available at a given BSL. Challenges can include screenshots of information from provider websites, declined service requests, and other evidence that providers do not provide residential service to the BSL.
Speed, Latency, & CAI qualifying broadband service - These challenges address internet performance at a given BSL. Online speed tests are used to see how the internet at a BSL measures up to BEAD speed and latency thresholds. Internet speeds at 25/3 Mbps or less are unserved. Speeds between 25/4 - 100/20 Mbps are underserved. In addition to these speed thresholds, latency must also be under 100 ms. For CAIs, internet speed has to meet the 1/1 Gbps threshold to consider the CAI served.
Data Cap - This challenge involves internet service at a BSL that is subject to a data allowance. The NTIA Model Challenge Process indicates that any internet service plans with a data allowance lower than 600 GB/month would be classified as unreasonable.
Technology - This challenge involves the service technology (i.e. wireless, cable, or fiber) available at a given BSL. Information on the residential gateway unit at a BSL is needed to determine if the challenge process map correctly reflects the technology that is available.
Enforceable Commitment & Planned Service - These challenges involve information on other sources of funding for broadband deployment and/or information on current deployment projects scheduled for completion by June 30, 2024. The BEAD NOFO does not allow duplicate funding for a given BSL. Therefore, these challenges may require information on funding commitments or ongoing construction. Additional information such as Tribal Government Resolutions may be required for Tribal areas.
Not part of enforceable commitment - These challenges involve information on areas with enforceable commitments that will not cover 100% of the BSLs in that area.
Location is/is not a CAI - These challenges involve BSLs that may or may not be CAIs. Information on the current status of the facility as well as the information on the location’s operation would be needed to make the determination.

Please refer to the ACA’s BEAD Challenge website for full details and the latest updates on the BEAD challenge process in Arizona. The ACA website has information on how to register as a challenger, datasets for BSLs and CAIs, and upcoming webinars. The ACA is also hosting weekly office hours on the challenge process and preparing to begin the Connecting Arizona Engagement Tour. Continue to follow AIPI for updates on Tribal broadband in Arizona as well as nationally.

Printable copy here.

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March 13, 2024

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Everything You Need to Know About ILA (Cohorts 8 & 9, Fall 2025)

bsantist — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 21:37:00 +0000

Everything You Need to Know About ILA (Cohorts 8 & 9, Fall 2025)

bsantist November 16, 2023

AIPI Blog

Everything You Need to Know About ILA (Cohorts 8 & 9, Fall 2025)

The application for the Fall 2025 cohort of the Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA) will open on May 1, 2025, and will close on June 8, 2025. Follow along for upcoming blogs, posts, and a webinar with information about the ILA.

This Fall, we are excited to announce two distinct ILA programs dedicated to Indigenous education (IELA) and Indigenous health (IHLA).

This blog is dedicated to answering questions you may have about applying to the ILA. If you are an Indigenous person who wants to contribute to your community, you should apply to this academy!

When does the application open?

The application will open on Thursday, May 1, 2025. There is one application for IHLA and IELA. Based on your preliminary answers, you will be directed to the specific application you are applying for.

When does the application close?

The application will close on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Please submit it as soon as possible.

Who Can Apply?

Anyone who lives in the United States and meets the eligibility criteria listed on the application is welcome to apply. Fifty percent of the allotted spaces will be awarded to Arizona residents.

Can I apply to both cohorts?

No, you must choose between education and healthcare.

How much does it cost?

The cost for the 10-module program is $2650. Scholarships are available; applicants are automatically considered for a scholarship upon application to ILA. It is highly recommended that the cost not be a deterrent.

What do I need to complete the application?

If you’re thinking about applying for the ILA, please note that we will require your recent work history. You will be creating a project that benefits your Indigenous community. Please have a project title and explain your project idea as well as you can. The project will lay the foundation for all the lessons during the 10-module course. We're looking to assess your strengths as a leader, so please reflect on any other leadership programs you may have been involved in.

How are the cohorts chosen?

There are only 25 spots available for each cohort. An alumni review panel evaluates the applications with all personal information redacted. The ILA staff and facilitators also review the applications, taking into account the findings from the panel, as well as their own notes and comments, to select the participants.

Why do I need to have a LinkedIn profile?

You gain a network of over 157 ILA alumni! A LinkedIn profile helps us to see who you are and the work you do in your community; it also creates a wonderful space for you to grow your network. It should be noted that signing up and using LinkedIn is free of charge. If you would like to use LinkedIn Premium, there is a fee. Don’t have a LinkedIn account? Sign up here.

How is the cohort run?

The cohort will be taught on Zoom and in person (module ten only) with class materials and participation on Canvas.
Module one is on a Saturday and is about six hours in length. For IHLA, the tentative start date is July 12, 2025. For IELA, the tentative start date is August 9, 2025.
Modules two through nine modules are held on weekday evenings for three hours. We utilize Canvas, and there is about 1.5 hours worth of reading each week. Tentatively, the IHLA will be held on Thursdays from 3 pm to 7 pm AZ time, and the IELA will be held on Wednesdays from 3 pm to 7 pm AZ time.
Module ten for IHLA will be held September 7-12, 2025, at the National Tribal Health Conference at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, AZ. Module ten for IELA will be held October 8-11, 2025, at the National Indian Education Association Conference in Spokane, WA.
During the modules, we have guest speakers and professionals on each module's topic. The guest speakers are invaluable in providing real-life context and depth to each module.
To gain certification, you will plan a project that should benefit your community in some way and create a 5-minute video presentation on it. You will also present your project in person at the final module.
You will be responsible for your travel and room costs. More information will be released during the first weeks of the cohort.
Cohort Partners for IHLA: ASU College of Health Solutions, National Indian Health Board, Tufts University
Cohort Partners for IELA: ASU Center for Indian Education, ASU American Indian Studies, National Indian Education Association, Tufts University

What will I learn about?

You will learn about the following leadership practices within an Indigenous framework.

Civic Engagement
Responsibility
Indigenous Knowledge
Communicating
Tribal Sovereignty
Fostering Consensus

How can I use the tools learned to use in my everyday life?

The ILA course provides you with practical professional tips that you can incorporate into your daily life. The lessons from ILA can be sparingly used in your professional life and personally when making decisions or setting goals. It's crucial to understand that leaders in a community are not just elected officials. Leadership takes various forms and capacities in every group, and these roles are deeply intertwined with both community and professional relationships. The ILA course, designed for Indigenous communities, bridges the gap between these two perspectives, emphasizing their mutual importance.

What kind of people am I going to be meeting?

There are people from all walks of life in the cohort. They all share the common goal of wanting to create something meaningful for their community. I enjoy seeing how close they all become throughout the cohort and how much they continue to grow as leaders since completing the academy.

What is the expected outcome of being a part of ILA?

Introducing a new community of individuals who share similar ambitions and goals for their community. These individuals offer opportunities or act as a valuable sounding board for your project, providing insightful feedback. Upon completion, you will be awarded a digital badge and certificate from Arizona State University.

Learn more about ILA

Review the application

Apply for Fall 2025

Posted on

November 16, 2023

Resource type

Capacity Building

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ILA Expresses Gratitude For Fall 2023 Cohort

bsantist — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 22:14:40 +0000

ILA Expresses Gratitude For Fall 2023 Cohort

bsantist November 8, 2023

AIPI Blog

ILA Expresses Gratitude For Fall 2023 Cohort

We have successfully completed the Fall 2023 cohort of the Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA)! The application for the Spring 2024 cohort will open on November 17, 2023, and close on December 15, 2023. Follow along with AIPI for upcoming blogs, posts, and everything else ILA.

These experts in their respective fields imparted their knowledge, shared their insights, and gave their time to the ILA. You can read more about each of the talented guest speakers below.

Module 6: Communicating Your Story and Exhibiting Professional Etiquette;

Shareé Hurts is Strategic Partnerships Program Manager for APS working with community partners to create, innovate, and implement programs that benefit Arizonans. Prior to APS, Shareé spent ten years in the healthcare industry, primarily focused on Medicaid specializing in project management, organizational governance, and proposal development. In addition to her career in the corporate sector, Shareé has continued her passion for serving in the community. This includes her passion project of serving through teaching, an adjunct faculty member at South Mountain Community College currently teaching within the Storytelling Institute. Shareé has a bachelor’s degree in political science from ASU West and a master’s degree in law from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, ASU.

Module 7: Building Relationships and Growing Your Network;

Laurie Battaglia is CEO of Aligned at Work® in Scottsdale, AZ. Laurie is on a personal mission to wake up the leaders of organizations who think that they can delay inevitable change. She is a futurist and strategizer, a connector of people and resources. She believes in balancing people and profit in business for a sustainable future. Laurie is a strategic advisor, executive coach, and inclusive leadership consultant. She is an expert facilitator and brings groups together to achieve great things. Her superpower is building trust quickly with clients, team members, and diverse communities. Aligned at Work® is a leadership consulting firm with an emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Their Aligned Leader Model for Inclusive and Aligned Leadership is part of their signature program designed to build inclusion into organizational cultures through everyday actions.

Module 8: Bridging Differences and Fostering Consensus;

Maria Dadgar is an enrolled member of the Piscataway (Pi-Scat-Away) Tribe of Accokeek (Ack-Ko-Keek), Maryland. Maria has worked in the fields of Higher Education, Non-Profit Executive Management, and Tribal Economic Development for more than 20 years. Throughout her career, Maria has been involved in advocating for public policies and legislation on behalf of Tribal nations regarding Economic Development, Education, Health Equity, Social Justice, and Environmental Quality. Currently, Maria serves as the Executive Director of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) which is one of the oldest and largest Tribal consortiums in the United States. Under Maria’s leadership, ITCA has grown in the number of federal grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and job creation. ITCA has 71 subject matter experts on staff and has an annual operating budget of approximately $26.5 million. Maria reports directly to 21 Tribal Leaders which serve as the governing board for the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona and are the highest elected officials for 21 of the 22 Tribes in Arizona.

Module 9: Community-Centered Management Practices;

Nonie Black Elk (Ft. Peck Assiniboine & Sioux, Navajo) has been with Arizona Public Service since 2010 in roles with Human Resources, renewable energy, customer technology, and her current position as Energy Innovation Analyst for the Customer to Grid Solutions team. While supporting the Solar Communities program team, Nonie was responsible for recruiting tribal customers on the Navajo and Hopi reservations. She coordinated alternative customer engagement by hosting Lunch & Learns to educate interested customers through a Hopi translator. Ms. Black Elk’s proudest moment as an APS employee was leading the internal team to weatherize the home of a Navajo Code talker in her home community Tuba City.

Module 10: Developing Leadership Capacity and Looking to the Future;

Arlando S. Teller’s Navajo clans are Naasht'ézhi-Táchii'nii (Zuni clan adopted into Red-Streaked Forehead clan) born for Tó'aheedlíinii (The Water Flows Together clan). My maternal grandfathers are Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water clan) and my paternal grandfathers are 'Áshįįhi (Salt clan). Arlando Teller was sworn in as the first USDOT Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs on May 8, 2023. This position was enacted through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, focusing on improving programs to address critical infrastructure impacts on tribal communities within Indian Country. Prior to joining USDOT, Teller served as State Representative for District 7 in the Arizona House of Representatives. Arlando entered the aviation industry as the first Native American graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Teller worked on multimodal transportation projects for the California Department of Transportation and returned home to the Navajo Nation, where he served in multiple capacities, including Deputy Division Director for the Navajo Nation’s Division of Transportation.

We are filled with gratitude to each of the guest speakers! The open and honest discussions we had during the cohort were motivating and insightful. We cannot be more grateful for the wisdom the guest speakers have given and are excited to see how our leaders put it to use.

Posted on

November 8, 2023

Resource type

Capacity Building

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