How Tribal Leaders Stay on Top of Their Game During a Global Pandemic

After being closed down for months due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, tribes across the country are working hard to reopen their governments and businesses in a safe and health manner. Many things have changed over this time, and are still changing. The world is in a constant flux, we are still in the midst of the global pandemic and tribal leaders across the country still need to be at the top of their game. 
Are we almost near the end of this pandemic? What should tribal businesses be focusing on? Is a recovery coming soon? These are questions we asked Larry Fretz, the practice lead at Info-Tech Research Group for both the Native American Technology Research Center (NATRC) and the gaming and hospitality research center (GHRC). Get his insight, suggested solutions, and recommendations by listening now!
Connect with us by searching “TribalHub” on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.  If you have a topic for the show, email Michelle at michelleb@tribalhub.com.
Show notes:
The Info-Tech Covid-19 Response Page: infotech.com/covid
Info-Tech Webinar: https://www.tribalhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Don%E2%80%99t-Panic_-Prepare.mp4

Pascua Yaqui Tribe Finds Success with New RPMS Framework

In today’s episode we showcase a conversation between Jason Lockwood, Health Information Consultant for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Justin Raisor, Sr. Account Executive of Nutanix. The two recently joined on a TribalWise webinar and discussed the success the tribe had when they migrated RPMS from a traditional architecture to a Nutanix framework.  
IHS and private sector tribal health facilities use RPMS every day to efficiently manage programs, maximize revenue generation and most important, to provide high-quality care for patients. It is one of the most critical applications run by tribal health organizations. If your tribe is looking to move to a more modified/updated framework, this will be an episode to listen to!
Connect with us by searching “TribalHub” on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.  If you have a topic for the show, email Michelle at michelleb@tribalhub.com.
Show notes:
Nutanix:  nutanix.com
Pascua Yaqui Tribe:  pascuayaqui-nsn.gov
TribalHub:  TribalHub.com
 

Covid-19: What you should prepare for, what you can expect, and what you should be doing NOW with Larry Fretz, InfoTech Research Group

All of us here at TribalHub hope this podcast finds you and your family well and safe during this unprecedented health crisis we are all experiencing. None of us have a blueprint that shows us how we, as business professionals, should respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.  This is uncharted waters for all of us. So...what ARE we supposed to be doing?  
That’s what we asked Larry Fretz of InfoTech Research Group on this podcast episode.  Larry is the practice lead at Info-Tech Research Group for both the Native American technology research center (NATRC) and the gaming and hospitality research center (GHRC).  He and his team of analysts develop and deliver targeted research, specific to the tribal government, gaming, and hospitality industries.
In March, InfoTech launched the Covid Response Resource Center to provide tools, templates and a playbook for IT leaders to assist their organizations through this disruptive time and every day new tools are being added. Every week they’ve been hosting a variety of webinars, supported by best practices research and tools, on key topics such as WFH, managing remote teams, child care policies in a WFH environment, streamlining the workforce, cost reduction planning and even a 10 step IT pandemic strategy playbook. 
Listen in as Larry gives us his insight on what IT and business leaders can expect moving forward, what you should reasonably be preparing for, and what you should be doing right now.
We hope that listening to our podcast will bring some sense of normalcy to your routine.  Be sure to subscribe to our show wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow TribalHub on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  You can find a list of Covid-19 resources from Info-Tech on their website.
If you or your tribe is looking for services or programs that may be of use as we work through this time of shutdowns and uncertainty, please visit our website, our social pages, or email michelleb@tribalhub.com.
Stay safe & be well.

MuralNet Helps to Close the Digital Divide on Tribal Land by Assisting with FCC Spectrum License Application Process

All of us here at TribalHub hope this podcast finds you and your family safe and well.  In the midst of this global pandemic, I hope that this show brings some "normalcy" to your day.
In this episode we are going to cover the digital divide that we see in Indian Country and what the non profit group MuralNet is doing to help tribes across the country bridge that divide. Wireless high speed internet is now almost a necessity for daily living - and we see that today more than ever.  With every state under a "social distancing" order, we are looking to technology to keep us connected.  From telemedicine, to weather announcements, to news updates and social interaction, we have to have access to a network.  Many in Indian Country, however, are not this lucky.  One of the documented major obstacles to accessing wireless high speed internet on rural tribal reservations is the lack of infrastructure and funding to build it.
And this is where MuralNet comes in.  Cat Blake & Crystal Hottowe work with the MuralNet to help tribes build their own networks; with the hopes to bring the number of homes with access to wireless high speed internet on tribal reservations up to national levels. MuralNet provides various services to tribes including assistance with spectrum acquisition & analysis, high-level engineering plans, help with grant applications & waivers, and more specific to applying for a spectrum licence over tribal land.
Recently, the FCC opened a 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Window, which is a unique application process/opportunity that tribes in rural areas currently have that could allow tribes to get direct access to unassigned spectrum. If Tribal entities don’t apply for the free licenses for these airwaves, they will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The window to apply ends August 3rd. This opportunity is one of the things MuralNet is working hard to encourage tribes across the nation to apply for.  To date, the group has helped 7 tribes secure spectrum, and are helping more and more each day.
Listen in as Cat & Crystal discuss MuralNet, the Tribal Window opportunity, and a grant available for tribes to apply for called ReConnect.  
If you have a topic for our show, or would have a story to share, please contact us at michelleb@tribalhub.com
Don’t forget to subscribe/follow our show wherever you listen to podcasts to never miss an episode. Connect with all of us here by searching “TribalHub” on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or visit our web page at tribalhub.com.
Mentioned Websites:
MuralNet webpage:  www.muralnet.org 
Info page on the 2.5 GHz tribal priority window: https://muralnet.org/tribalprioritywindow/
Blog documenting the ReConnect process: https://muralnet.org/funding/
Reference articles:
https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2019/the-digital-divide-in-indian-country
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/06/673364305/native-americans-on-tribal-land-are-the-least-connected-to-high-speed-internet
https://www.wiley.law/alert-FCC-to-Auction-Unassigned-25-GHz-Spectrum-for-Commercial-Use
 
 

Soboba Band: Converting Systems, Bringing Broadband to Tribal Reservations, Building Tribal Council Relationships & More With Steve Nino

Steve Nino, IT Director for the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, and his team had an amazing year in 2019. They received multiple industry awards (Including the TribalNet Industry Award!), converted their core gaming AND POS systems, and brought broadband to their reservation. Listen in while host Michelle Bouschor talks with Steve about this and how he has built an incredible relationship with their tribal council, allowing the IT department to be involved in many of the tribe and organizational decisions.
You can visit the Soboba Band website at soboba-nsn.gov and the casino & resort at soboba.com. If you have a topic for our podcast, or have a story to share, email michelleb@tribalhub.com. 
Don’t forget to subscribe to our show wherever you listen to podcasts AND be sure to connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and at TribalHub.com.

Sneak Peek: Talking with CIO, Steve Nino about the Soboba Casino & Resort

In this episode, we give you a quick listen into the conversation host Michelle Bouschor had with Steve Nino, CIO for the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and the Soboba Casino & Resort. Steve and his team had an amazing year in 2019 - they received multiple industry awards (Including the TribalNet Industry Award), converted their core gaming AND POS systems, and brought broadband to their reservation. 
The full episode will be released on Thursday March 12. Be sure to subscribe to the TribalHub podcast wherever you listen, and follow TribalHub on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
 
Thanks for listening!

Sycuan Casino & Resort: Innovative Technology, Leadership, and IT Involvement During Casino Expansion

In this episode, host Michelle Bouschor talks with Patrick Tinklenberg, VP of IT for the Sycuan Casino & Resort in El Cajon, CA. Listen in as Patrick talks about how he and his team incorporated innovative tech systems into the Sycuan Casino & Resort rebuild, get his thoughts on the right amount of IT involvement during a project of this size, and his advice on switching from working as a technology executive in tribal government to tribal casino environment.
You can visit the Sycuan Casino & Resort website at www.sycuan.com. If you have a topic for our show, or would have a story to share, please contact us at michelleb@tribalhub.com AND don’t forget to subscribe/follow our podcast to never miss an episode. Connect with all of us here at TribalHub by searching “TribalHub” on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or visit our web page at tribalhub.com.
We hope you enjoy listening!
 

Sneak Peek: Expansion, Leadership & More with Patrick Tinklenberg of Sycuan Casino

We're giving you a listen into to our upcoming episode with Patrick Tinklenberg, VP of IT at the Sycuan Casino & Resort!  Great discussion on the casino's expansion, new technology that was implemented, and how he kept his team motivated during such an intense time.  Be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn.
For more infomraiton on Sycuan Casino & Resort, visit www.sycuan.com.
 
 

Modoc Nation: Creating a website with the help of their community

Working with a small team and a limited budget means you have to get creative.  And that's exactly what the IT team at Modoc Nation (and by team we mean team of 2!) did when they were tasked with creating a new website for their tribe.  Listen as we talk with Ben Karnes, Network Administrator, and discuss his solution to creating a beautiful website by involving their small Oklahoma community.  
Visit the tribe's new website at:  https://modocnation.com/

Sneak Peek - Modoc Nation

Listen in as we give you a sneak peak into next week's episode where we talk with Ben Karnes, network administrator of the Modoc Nation, and learn of his creative ways to find a solution to a website challenge!