Insight in Indian Country Podcast
Trusted Expertise to Serve Tribal Nations
GASB, GASB, GASB! (Or should we say, SIGH…?)
If there’s one thing we know about governmental accounting standards it’s that things change. This episode, REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally and Audit & Assurance Principal Chris Bitakis are looking into future GASB implementations that will likely be affecting Tribal governments and enterprises. What will you need to consider to get ready for upcoming changes? Tune in to get in the loop on what’s around the corner and for insights on current reporting requirements.
Have a question or want to request a discussion topic for our podcast? Connect with Wes.
REDW LLC is proud to bring you the Insight in Indian Country Podcast, covering important advisory, accounting, and finance topics that impact Tribal Nations and business affairs. Thanks for listening!
Meet Your Hosts
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.
Christopher J. Bitakis, CPA, CGFM, CGMA
REDW Principal, Audit & Assurance
In his 15+ years of experience in public accounting, Chris Bitakis has focused primarily on serving the financial and compliance needs of Native American tribes. As an Audit & Assurance Principal, he provides comprehensive financial and compliance assurance services for tribal casinos and other tribal enterprises, as well as financial and federal program compliance audit services for tribal governments.
Chris shares his broad expertise regularly conducting training classes for tribal gaming commission personnel, and as a frequent speaker at seminars, conferences and training events, including the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Tradeshow and Convention.
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.
More from Insight in Indian Country
- “Tribal Finance Is Much More Than Just Budgeting.” Inside OSU’s Tribal Finance & Accounting Certificate with Lindsey RayWhat does it take to truly prepare a professional to work in Tribal finance and governance? For Lindsey Ray, Senior Tribal Programs Manager at Oklahoma State University, the answer started with a needs assessment, a gap in the market, and a partnership that grew into something much bigger than anyone expected.
- 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.
