Insight in Indian Country

Send us Fan Mail Cybersecurity expert Brian Grayek is back to discuss security risks and solutions for Tribal Nations with REDW  National Tribal Practice leader and podcast host, Wes Benally . Recent nationwide efforts for Tribes to access FEMA cybersecurity grant funding were met with challenges during the application process, preventing some Tribes from receiving critical funding. In their discu...

Send us Fan Mail This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally is discussing the Inflation Reduction Act and its impact on Tribal Nations with Senior State and Local Tax 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 allo...

Send us Fan Mail What exactly is a "soft landing" in the economy? This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally and Wealth Management Principal Paul Madrid are discussing economic outlook for Tribal Nations in 2024, covering potential economic slowdowns, inflation outlooks, fixed income investments, and more. 🎧 Tune in for expert insights on financial planning. 💸🫰 Tak...

Send us Fan Mail Join Wes Benally, REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader, for a one-to-one with Karletta Jones (Dine’), CPA, CIA—a true unicorn combination. Karletta is jumping on the podcast to talk about stewardship, the value of growing up immersed in Navajo culture, going after goals, and encountering adversity while pursuing higher education and CPA licensure. She is the Assistan...

Send us Fan Mail The path to becoming a CPA is no easy feat. As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, join Wes Benally and Ryan Claw (Dine’) as they discuss what it takes to join the elite ranks of Certified Public Accountants. As REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader, Wes understands the dedication required to establish a career in accounting and this episode is sitting down w...

Send us Fan Mail Are you on track for GASB 96 implementation and meeting compliance? If you’re a tribal government entity using subscription-based software, your financial statements will soon be held to a whole new accounting standard: GASB 96 – Subscription-Based IT Arrangements (SBITAs). Are you ready to comply with the new accounting rules? Do you know what you need to do, and by when?  Join h...

Send us Fan Mail 2024 Update: The FEMA/CISA cybersecurity grant application process closed January 10th, 2024. What's the best way to prepare for future cybersecurity grant opportunities that are bound to come? Listen to our latest episode on cybersecurity funding for Tribal Nations . __________________________________________________ Is it time to strengthen your tribe's cybersecurity?...

Send us Fan Mail The 47th Annual National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) Conference is right around the corner!   It’s time to level-up from posting a job position and crossing your fingers. What more can HR recruiters in Indian Country do to land top job candidates? From applications to negotiating counteroffers and onboarding promising new hires—everyone in the world of HR...

Send us Fan Mail What steps can you take to improve cash flow management at your organization? Maximizing financial potential can feel overwhelming once you dive into the ins and outs of all your transactions. Where do you start? And what should your end-goal be? In this episode, Wes Benally and Chris Henderson are following up to our previous episode on working capital with a discussion on practi...

Send us Fan Mail It's a question we get a lot, "How does my business measure up against competitors?" While the answer usually earns us more glazed looks than donuts, we're determined to show you how effective management of your working capital and cash flow is important as a business leader and could lay the foundation for a much needed game-change.   Ready to learn how better...

Send us Fan Mail What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas. It is crucial for tribal gaming enterprises to begin to strategize and plan on how to document and test how to protect data, systems, and customers from cyber threats— and the Nevada Gaming Commission has laid out new cybersecurity regulations to ensure gaming operations are safeguarding data and reporting incidents. We are...

Send us Fan Mail 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 wi...

Send us Fan Mail Mergers and acquisitions are known to have a high probability of failure. Are they worth the risk? This episode, REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally is discussing three primary reasons why prospective mergers or acquisitions fail with in-house valuation expert Braden McClintock, REDW Valuation & Related Financial Services Manager. From overpaying to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, your host Wes Benally, REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader, is diving into the top concerns for Tribal Human Resources departments . Joined by experts from REDW's Human Resources Consulting group - Sam Bolen, Laurel Roybal, and Taryn Reynolds - they share valuable insights and solutions for HR teams operating in tribal entities, discussing: The...

Send us Fan Mail As a tribal healthcare finance professional, it is essential to understand the various responsibilities involved in fulfilling your fiduciary responsibility. From technical accounting standards to cybersecurity and IT-related matters , all facets of the job are interconnected and crucial to protect your organization's funding and ultimately serve your patients. In this episod...

Send us Fan Mail Harnessing the power of current business strategies is essential for leaders in the gaming industry. From navigating the post-pandemic landscape to IT security and surviving the rising cost environment, Tribal casinos in 2023 need to stay on top of their business game and plan for the future to stay in demand. This episode, host Wes Benally is discussing the essentials of staying...

Send us Fan Mail The impact of inflation on investment portfolios in the second half of 2023 can be mitigated with the right strategies. Join host Wes Benally and Paul Madrid, REDW Wealth Management Principal and Practice Leader, for a midyear check-in on investment considerations. In this episode, Madrid shares valuable insights on investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of diversificat...

Send us Fan Mail Improving organization-wide cybersecurity posture is critical. Tribal leaders need to prioritize cybersecurity and take proactive measures to protect their organizations from cyberattacks. On this episode of Insight in Indian Country, Wes Benally is speaking with cybersecurity expert  Brian Grayek , CISSP, CMMC-RP, CCSK, ITIL, about the importance of cybersecurity for Tribal Natio...

Send us Fan Mail Last year was a real rollercoaster for many businesses and for the markets. If you are a tribal treasurer or finance director, we're sure you are happy 2022 is over. Now, it's time to take some notes on what we learned.  Global events such as the invasion of Ukraine, supply chain shortages due to lockdowns in China, and growing impacts of inflation have affected many inv...

Send us Fan Mail Here at REDW, we've always embraced an entrepreneurial spirit for the betterment of the clients we serve, and especially seasoned professionals like Jason Coochwytewa. Jason is the CEO of Urias Communications, a Phoenix-based advertising and public relations agency with a niche in multicultural markets. He is a respected professional with more than 26 years of expert knowledg...

Send us Fan Mail What are the differences between direct and indirect costs associated with federal grants and contracts? This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally and Audit Senior Manager Mike Dierlam are providing answers to the top questions about indirect costs, like: What is an indirect cost rate? What is the negotiation process? What type of entities are eligible for the...

Send us Fan Mail It seems every other day you get an email from a software provider, offering you all the platform bells and whistles that will change your organization for the better—but is another software platform what your enterprise really needs?  This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally discusses how to better target optimal data use in your operations with Lorin Saaved...

Send us Fan Mail Healthcare organizations are still seeing an unprecedented shortage of providers and frontline staff, forcing them to resort to hiring traveling staff and contractors—which come at a high cost. In addition to grappling with the labor shortage, leaders in Tribal healthcare must continue to navigate COVID-19 relief funding and sources, lease accounting, and growth and expansion. Thi...

Send us Fan Mail Here at REDW, we've always embraced an entrepreneurial spirit for the betterment of the clients we serve, including mavericks like Monica Jojola who welcome the challenge of innovation.  Monica Jojola is President of Montech, Inc, an 8(a) Woman-Owned Small Business headquartered in New Mexico (with offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Missouri, and South Dakota), and spe...

Send us Fan Mail Coming out of the health crisis, Tribal organizations with strong cash positions now have plenty of merger and acquisition opportunities in front of them. What considerations should you keep in mind? This episode, REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally covers a variety of topics in the business valuation realm with valuation expert Brian Foltyn. Brian Folty...