[ Conference ] National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Annual Training Conference 2023

Strengthening Partnerships Between Economic Development Districts and Native Communities

Cleveland, OH 11/08/2023

In the heart of Cleveland, Ohio, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Annual Training Conference 2023 served as the ideal platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and fostering connections. Among the standout presentations, Big Water Consulting, represented by Kevin, took the stage on Wednesday (Nov. 8, 2023) to conduct a presentation.

The core focus of Big Water Consulting's presentation was to focus on existing and potential partnerships between Economic Development Districts (or Regional Development Organizations) and Indian tribes and Native communities.

Big Water Consulting we not only thrilled but also deeply committed to sharing invaluable insights on how to properly initiate and nurture these vital relationships.

[ Conference ] 2023 Economic Development Conference for the EDA Denver Region

Kevin alongside Erica Heller (Community Builders), Ciara Ristig (NADO) and Brittany Sickler (EDA).

In April, Big Water Managing Director, Kevin Klingbeil traveled to Denver to present at the Collaborating, Innovating, Transforming: 2023 Economic Development Conference for the EDA Denver Region, an event hosted by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). He introduced the EDA-funded Indigenous Economic Development Community of Practice and started outreach to bring together current and potential tribal/Native EDA grantees and economic development practitioners working in and with tribal communities to learn from each other and build capacity for project planning and securing and implementing project funds.

In addition to presenting alongside the coordinators of other EDA-funded communities of practice, including CoPs focused on Coal Communities and Economic Development Districts, Kevin delivered a separate presentation addressing the issue of tribal data sovereignty as well as the Indigenous Economic Development Community of Practice as part of a comprehensive session involving distinguished speakers from the Mountain | Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition (Jael Kampfe and Gerald Sherman of Indigenous Impact), Sicangu Co./Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Michael Lapointe), the Center for Indian Country Development (Andrew Huff), Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (Bernadette Cuthair) and Lower Brule Sioux Tribe (Tim Azure).   

[ Big Water Talk ] Addressing Homelessness in Tribal Communities: Barriers and Opportunities

David presented an overview of the HUD Continuum of Care Program at the NAIHC Annual Convention

David Dixon of Big Water Consulting presented strategies for Tribes and TDHEs to engage with the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) program at the NAIHC Annual Conference in May alongside Katie Symons of Beaux Simone Consulting. The session covered the recent legislative changes that enable Tribes to apply for funding through the CoC program, laid out several pathways for engaging with the program, and discussed the challenges to full participation that still need to be addressed.

The presentation included several examples of Tribes and TDHEs taking unique approaches to addressing homelessness in their communities which may serve as models for those considering participation in the CoC program. The presentation slides and several key resources are linked below:

• NAIHC CoC Presentation Slides

• Review HUD’s CoC Program Resources to consider whether joining an existing CoC or starting your own will best serve your community.

• Find out which existing Continuum of Care is operating in your area.

• Contact the current grantees for existing CoCs.