Aanii Indinawemaaganidog,
Hello, all my relatives. Please find the Tribal Advocate Bi-Weekly Update below.
Key highlights:
- Deb Haaland Makes History as First Native American Woman Elected Governor of New Mexico – Native News Online
- Peggy Flanagan Makes History with Senate Victory – Native News Online
- New York Elects Its First Native American Woman to Congress – Native News Online
- OMB Consultation: Proposed Changes to Financial Assistance Rules – November 9 and 10
- November 9 (in-person in Washington, DC) and November 10 (virtual).
- To RSVP/ask questions Email: [email protected]
- Link to proposed changes: proposed revisions to Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR)
- Link to Dear Tribal Leader Letter: Dear Tribal Leader Letter
- Native News Online: Why Investing in Tribal Judges Matters for Tribal Sovereignty
- POSTPONED*Waking Women Healing Institute (WWHI): 2nd MMIWP Healing & Response Team (HRT) Training, November 2–4 North Star Casino Bowler, WI. Apply here: https://forms.gle/6YCaPvKWGJYccaun6
Contact Information: Alysee Corn | Email: [email protected]
Office Phone: 715-787-6041. Website: wakingwomenhealing.org
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————🍂 Seasonal Reflection: The season of Autumn continues, our communities practice honoring our ancestors, through gathering for feasts at Ghost Suppers in our communities. Where we can come together as relatives and cherish our ancestors and all our relatives and communities. We can take time to honor the lessons of the past, appreciate the present and carry forward the relationships, traditions and teachings that strengthen us.
🧡November is Native American Heritage Month: As we honor the strength, resilience, and wisdom of our tribal nations, this month and every month we can look at how our cultures and traditions are living and present, carried forward through our languages, teachings, relationships, and responsibility to future generations as well as holding our ancestors before us in our hearts. Carrying our responsibility to the next 7 generations to work toward a future where all relatives can live free from violence.
🐦⬛Living the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Practicing Gratitude: Honesty (Gwekaadziwin). The teaching of Honesty can remind us to live with integrity, speak truthfully, recognize our strengths and challenges, and remain true to ourselves and others. Practicing gratitude through Honesty can encourage us to acknowledge the people, experiences and teachings that guide and strengthen us. How can we practice honesty with compassion and integrity in ourselves and our communities?
We recognize that teachings, including those related to seasons and the Seven Grandfather Teachings, are not universal and may be shared differently across Tribal Nations. This reflection is offered with respect for the diversity of all communities.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————📋 Federal Grant Updates
- Funding Opportunities List updated 11-9-26.docx
- Grants & Contracts | The Administration for Children and Families
- Tribal Justice and Safety | Funding Opportunities
- Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) | Funding Opportunities
- Current Funding Opportunities | Office for Victims of Crime
OMB Proposed Changes:
- National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) ACTION ALERT: Tribal Leaders Urged to Attend OMB Consultation on Proposed Changes to Financial Assistance Rules – November 9 and 10
- National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV): -November 10th National Day of Action: Urge Congress to Block OMB’s Proposal to Overhaul and Politicize Federal Grants: “On November 10, advocates and organizations across the country will come together for a Day of Action opposing the proposed changes to federal grantmaking. Join by contacting your members of Congress and posting on social media. Social media scripts and graphics and sample call scripts can be found in this TOOLKIT. You can use or adapt Coalition for Human Needs Action’s email tool, Tell Congress: Stop the White House takeover of federal grants and protect funding for local communities, this fall and on November 10.”
President’s FY 27 Proposed Budget Update: The House of Representatives passed the Continuing Resolution (CR), that will keep the government funded at current levels until December 11th, 2026. More information can be found here: President’s Budget – OMB – The White House
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————🌿 State Grant Updates
MDHHS FY 27 Grantee Guidelines and Resources: Guidelines, Forms and Resources. FY_2027_Grantee_Guidelines.pdf
MDHHS DVS Grantees: Tribal DV/SA Program Directors: Grantee Leadership meeting: November 12-13, 2026: DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City: One Wenonah Park Place, Bay City, MI 48708
Financial Status Reports (EGrAMS : Home). Due 30 days after the end of the month
Quarterly OVC PMT Performance Measure Reports (OJP PMP Login), and Work Plan Reports (EGrAMS)
Equipment Inventory Schedule (EGrAMS : Home) – attach to the Equipment line item on the Final September FSR on Egrams
FY26 DVS Annual Certification and Inspection Certification MiLogin – Login
Note about UTFAV TA: We can provide personalized TA related to applying for DVS housing grants which will increase potential for funding and other funding updates. Contact: Sandra Pilgrim-Lewis [email protected].
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————💰Funding Opportunities-
OVW: Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) | Funding Opportunities Grant Application Companion Guide. No applications open.
OVC: Current Funding Opportunities | Office for Victims of Crime How to Apply for Funding | Office for Victims of Crime
ACF: Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services Tribes and Tribal Organizations | The Administration for Children and Families
- Grants & Contracts | The Administration for Children and Families
- Tribal Resources for ACF Funded Programs | The Administration for Children and Families
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————📅 Upcoming Trainings & Meetings
Meetings:
Next UTFAV Tribal Advocate Meeting: November 12th 10:00 AM ET. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89631686311. Previous Meeting Notes: Advocate Meeting 10-8-26.docx
Webinars:
NNEDV Webinar: Duties to Warn and Survivors Threatening Harm (Part 2): Preparing to Respond in Emergencies Nov 12, 2026, 03:30 PM ET. Webinar Registration – Zoom
Praxis National Webinar: The Two Streams: Grief and Trauma. Nov 12, 2026, 3pm Meeting Registration – Zoom
National Training Center on Crimes Against Women website: Human Trafficking Investigations Tuesday, November 17, 2026 1:30 PM-3:00 PM CT (2:30-4:00 ET) Summary – Human Trafficking Investigations
ProtectHER: Supporting and Working with Men as Allies and Advocates to End Violence and Sexual Assault Against Women and Girls in Tribal Communities
- November 17 | Indigenous Practices in Victim Advocacy
- December 1 | Coping with Stress and Identifying Vicarious Trauma
- December 15 | Peer Advocacy
- January 12, 2027 | Native Youth Role in Violence Prevention
- January 28, 2027 | Men as Advocates in Re-education Programs
Klancy Street Webinar: Two Studies: A Conversation about What We Learned from the Field about Responsible Student Services. Nov. 19th 12pm ET. Webinar Series | Klancy Street
NNEDV Webinar: Me, Myself and AI – Part II: Teens, Technology, and Safety Planning. December 2nd 2:00 pm ET. Webinar Registration – Zoom
Conferences/Trainings:
UTFAV Annual Tribal Leadership Summit- November 18th-19th, 2026. Location: FireKeepers Casino Hotel Battle Creek, MI. Save The Date: Annual Tribal Leadership Summit new save the date (1).pdf. Registration: https://forms.gle/DYxMx4oPVnq8McNWA (CLOSES 11/9/26 5:00pm ET).
Praxis International: Cultivating Leadership: Structuring Organizations for Survivor and Staff Resilience. December 8th-10th, 2026 . Seattle, Washington. Registrant Information – Cultivating Leadership Training: Structuring Organizations for Survivor and Staff Resilience 2026
Victims’ Rights Law Center- National Sexual Violence Law Conference: March 9th-March 10th, 2027. New Orleans, Louisiana. Registration link
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————🎧 Recorded Trainings / Podcasts
- LANDBACK For The People: (4) LANDBACK For The People – YouTube. Latest episode-November 2nd : Bison Homeland Initiative
- National Native News Podcast: Archive Archives » National Native News. Latest episode- November 6th: National Native News » News For All Americans
- We Are Resilient: An MMIP True Crime Podcast- We Are Resilient: An MMIP True Crime Podcast | Podcast on Spotify. Latest Episode- October 20th: The Work Continues | Listen to the Podcast on Spotify
- NIWRC Resource Library: Resource Library | NIWRC
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————⚖️ Legislation/Policy Updates
DOJ Final Report: Consultation on Possible Legislation to Address the Supreme Court’s Decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta https://www.justice.gov/tribal/media/1464281/dl?inline
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV):
- NAESV is hiring a Housing Project Coordinator! This position supports NAESV’s national work at the intersection of sexual violence, homelessness, and housing. The Housing Project Coordinator will collaborate with partners, provide training and technical assistance, and help strengthen access to safe, stable housing for survivors. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about survivor-centered advocacy, collaboration, and advancing housing rights and resources for survivors. Please share this opportunity with your networks! Housing Project Coordinator – National Alliance to End Sexual Violence National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
- 10.29.26: Nonprofit Groups, State Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Challenge Unlawful Conditions Imposed by HHS: Providence, R.I. – A lawsuit has been filed today by a coalition of organizations to challenge unlawful new grant restrictions from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that are forcing hundreds of nonprofit organizations, domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, and a county safety net hospital to choose between accepting unlawful conditions or forgoing grant funding that is needed to offer critical services, support, and healthcare for communities. Children, youth and families, survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and other vulnerable groups will be affected if these new grant conditions are allowed to remain in place. Full Democracy Forward Press Release
- NOVA Workforce Study– “NOVA is partnering with Rutgers University to conduct the National Victim Advocacy Workforce Study, a nationwide look at advocate salaries, backgrounds and credentials, burnout and resiliency, and what our profession needs to grow. This study is for all victim advocates and allied professionals – anyone who works directly with victims and survivors. The SA Coalitions and its members are exactly the voices this study needs.” National Victim Advocacy Workforce Study
AG Nessel Issues Law Enforcement Guidance Letter Concerning Tribal PPOs PPO Guidance for Law Enforcement Officials
Michigan Senate approved bills to ensure PPO’s will be at no cost to serve. Senate Moves PPO Reforms – Michigan Legislative Consultants– The bill will be sent to the House for consideration.
Proposed Legislation- PPO no cost Service: HB 5120-5121/SB 611-612- legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billanalysis/Senate/htm/2025-SFA-0611-F.htm
Intertribal Working Group (ITWG) Implementing VAWA 2022 Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction: Tribal Legal Code Resource DRAFT: Tribal Legal Code Resource: Juvenile Justice
Michigan Human Trafficking Legislation: Bipartisan package of bills intended to strengthen protections for human trafficking survivors. legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billanalysis/Senate/htm/2025-SFA-0520-F.htm
Senate Bill 520 – to increase criminal penalties for violating prohibitions against human trafficking.
Senate Bill 521 would modify sentencing guidelines in the Code of Criminal Procedure to reflect changes proposed by Senate Bills 520, 524, and 705. Senate Bill 705 would amend Chapter LXVII (Prostitution) of the Michigan Penal Code.
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center: MMIWR State Legislative Tracker-
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————🏛️Michigan Budget
Governor Whitmer signed Michigan’s FY27 state budget into law on July 21, 2026 – Public Act 21 of 2026. The budget includes $29.9 million for Crime Victim Rights Sustaining (CVRS) Grants to help address continued reductions in federal VOCA funding. While this provides important support for victim service programs, it remains below the $45 million requested for CVRS funding. Michigan FY27 Final Signed Budget
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Crime Victims Fund: Briefing Background Report: Victims of Crime Act
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————📚 Resources / Other Information
- National Native News: (6) Native News Online – YouTube
- Tribal Law and Policy Institute Publications | Tribal Law and Policy Institute
- SASHA Center SUMMERFALL 2026 Newsletter. SASHA Center SUMMERFALL 2026 Newsletter (1).pdf
- AMBER (AMBER ALERT) Advocate Magazine- Issue 66 AA66-FINAL.pdf
- The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC): The Safety Circle: A Quarterly Update from NIWRC’s Federal Resource Centers
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: StrongHearts Native Helpline Newsletter- Fall 2026.msg
• NNEDV: NNEDV Updates: October 2026
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Advocate Check In Calls – Every Second Thursday of the Month – 10:00am EST
For more information about any upcoming events, reach out to UTFAV Operations Manager at [email protected]
