Insight in Indian Country Podcast
Trusted Expertise to Serve Tribal Nations
This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally is discussing the Inflation Reduction Act and its impact on Tribal Nations with State and Local Tax Senior Manager Thomas Miller. They explore the provisions in the act that provide opportunities for investment in energy, infrastructure, and climate resilience programs for Tribes. Their conversation highlights the allocation of funds to tribal communities and the specific programs available for funding, and it emphasizes the importance of staying proactive and informed about the funding opportunities and the process of getting registered. Tribes shouldn’t miss exploring the eligibility of their projects and should seek consultations and training to maximize the benefits of the act!
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and Background
01:43 – Overview of the Inflation Reduction Act
03:08 – Allocation of Funds for Tribal Communities
05:01 – Funding Opportunities for Tribes
07:13 – Specific Programs for Tribal Communities
08:42 – Qualifying for IRA Programs
10:07 – Administration of Funds
11:15 – Relevant Funding Opportunities
13:20 – Rural Energy for America Program
15:08 – Staying Proactive and Informed
16:05 – Projects Eligible for Funding
17:10 – Process of Getting Registered
18:17 – Consultations and Training
20:01 – Considerations for Funding Eligibility
21:22 – Importance of Reviewing Eligibility
22:12 – Conclusion
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Episode Takeaways
- The Inflation Reduction Act presents major opportunities for investment in energy, infrastructure, and climate resilience programs for Tribal Nations.
- Tribes can access over $720 million allocated to Indian Country for climate and energy advancements.
- Funding opportunities include high efficiency electric home rebate programs, Tribal energy loan guaranteed programs, Tribal electrification programs, Tribal climate resilience programs, and more.
- Tribes should stay proactive and informed about the funding opportunities, review eligibility criteria, and seek consultations and training to maximize the benefits of the act.
Meet Your Host
Wesley Ryan Benally, CPA
REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader
As the leader of REDW’s National Tribal Practice, Wes is committed to improving financial literacy throughout Indian Country and hosts the Insight in Indian Country Podcast. He oversees audits of a wide range for Native American communities, state and local government agencies, and non-profits, nationwide, is a member of the Arizona State Board of Accountancy’s Peer Review Oversight Advisory Committee and serves as an instructor with Arizona State University’s American Indian Policy Institute. In addition, as a Board member for a tribal gaming entity that operates in two states, Wes keeps up with regulatory issues important to tribal gaming operations. Wes is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.
Compensation Studies—Your Key to Hiring & Retaining Top Talent.
It’s important to attract—and retain—the best employees to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your tribal organization. And given an exceptionally competitive labor market and the usual budget constraints, this means basing your employee compensation and benefits programs on relevant and reliable data.
The results are in! Learn more about REDW’s Tribal Compensation Survey Reports for Tribal Governments and Tribal Gaming.
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- 3rd Annual Tribal Leadership ConferenceREDW is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the 3rd Annual Tribal Leadership Conference, June 1–4, 2026, in Chandler, AZ. Join our National Tribal Practice team in the exhibit hall and at four expert-led sessions covering technology, audit, HRstrategies for tribal leaders.
- “We’re all fighting for our people.” Economic Growth, Diversification, and the Future of Indian Country with Chris JamesChris speaks candidly about the role gaming has played as a transformational economic driver — and why Tribes are increasingly looking beyond it to federal contracting, technology, agriculture, tourism, and citizen entrepreneurship.
- Spring 2026 Single Audit ReadinessIf your organization receives federal funding — whether you’re a Tribal government, local government, or nonprofit — 2026 is a year to pay close attention to your Single Audit readiness.
- NAFOA 44th Annual ConferenceREDW is proud to return as a Gold Sponsor of NAFOA’s Spring Conference, taking place April 27–28 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. Join us as we connect with tribal leaders and industry experts to discuss the economic issues shaping Indian Country — and don’t miss REDW Principal and Cybersecurity expert John W. Graham’s session, “What Could Go Wrong? Cybersecurity Essentials for Tribal Governments,” on April 28.
