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What 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. In this episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally sits down with Lindsey to explore the origin and evolution of OSU's Introductory Tribal Finance and Accounting Certificate — a program that has now reached participants from 258 Tribes and enterprises across 32 states. Lindsey shares how the program grew from a hand-selected pilot cohort of 20 Oklahoma Tribal professionals in 2018 to a nationally recognized resource offered in both in-person and online formats, and how REDW became a core partner in developing and facilitating nearly a third of its sessions.

The conversation goes beyond program logistics to ask a harder question: why do traditional accounting and MBA programs leave so many professionals underprepared for the realities of Tribal finance? Lindsey's answer — that Tribal finance is tied to sovereignty, governance, federal regulations, and long-term economic development in ways that mainstream curricula simply don't address — is the heart of why this certificate exists. Whether you're an entry-level accounting professional, an elected Tribal leader, or a CIO realizing that financial literacy gaps are showing up in your meetings, this episode makes a compelling case for education that's built specifically for Indian Country.

Chapters

· 01:06 - Why the OSU Program Keeps Coming Up Across Indian Country

· 01:36 - The Origin: A Needs Assessment, a Training Gap, and NAFOA

· 02:58 - From Oklahoma Pilot to National Program

· 05:41 - Online vs. In-Person: What Each Format Offers

· 10:01 - Who Should Attend — and Who's Actually Showing Up

· 13:52 - Why Traditional Programs Fall Short for Tribal Finance

· 16:09 - The Intentional Mix of Faculty, Practitioners, and Legal Experts

· 18:32 - How Participants Stay Connected After the Program Ends

· 20:25 - The Real Impact of Earning a Certificate

Does your Tribal organization need advisors who bring hands-on Tribal finance experience to every engagement? Connect with REDW's National Tribal Practice to learn how our team supports Tribal governments and enterprises with training, advisory, and financial services tailored to your nation's unique needs.

REDW Advisors and CPAs 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!

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Cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue — it's a leadership issue. In this special session preview, REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally sits down with REDW Principal John Graham, CISA, CISM, CISSP, CRISC, ahead of the NAFOA 44th Annual Spring Conference in Reno, Nevada.

John offers Tribal leaders a new way to think about cyber risk — one rooted in stewardship, sovereignty, and sound decision-making. He shares how Tribal governments can build resilience before an incident strikes, what tends to go wrong when one does, and why data — from financial systems to recorded language — deserves to be protected like any other tribal asset.

On April 28, 2026, John will join a panel of cybersecurity experts for What Could Go Wrong? Cybersecurity Essentials for Tribal Governments at NAFOA 2026. Don't miss it.

Learn more about REDW at NAFOA 2026.

Chapters

• 00:00 - Introduction: John Graham and the NAFOA Panel
• 01:04 - Reframing Cybersecurity as a Leadership Conversation
• 02:53 - When Incidents Spiral: Leadership Disconnects During a Cyber Event
• 06:06 - Stewardship, Sovereignty, and Tribal Data as an Asset
• 08:26 - What John Hopes Leaders Take Away from NAFOA

REDW Advisors and CPAs 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!

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For 55 years, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) has been a cornerstone of small business growth, federal procurement support, and economic advocacy across Indian Country — serving approximately 4,000 clients from Maine to Alaska. In this episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally sits down with Chris James, President and CEO of NCAIED, to explore the organization's mission, the state of Tribal economic diversification, and what the next decade could look like for Native communities.

Chris 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. He also digs into NCAIED's 40 Under 40 program, which has recognized over 600 Native leaders since 2009 for both professional achievement and community service, and reflects on what "Rising Together" means for collective advocacy and the long-term strength of Tribal economies.

Is your Tribe exploring new avenues for economic growth or enterprise development?

Connect with REDW's Tribal advisory team to explore how we can support your Nation's goals.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction and Welcome
• 00:34 – About Chris James and NCAIED
• 02:52 – RES and the Momentum of Indian Country
• 05:42 – Economic Diversification Beyond Gaming
• 09:09 – Tracking Data and Partnering for Insight
• 11:50 – The 40 Under 40 Program and Community Leadership
• 15:19 – "Rising Together": Advocacy, Sovereignty, and the Future of Tribal Economies

Takeaways

• NCAIED has served Indian Country for 55 years through technical assistance, small business development, procurement programs, and advocacy — supporting approximately 4,000 clients nationwide across six regional offices.
• The Reservation Economic Summit (RES) reflects the broader momentum of Indian Country economies — bringing together entrepreneurs, Tribal enterprises, and major buyers for matchmaking, training, and networking on a national scale.
• Gaming has been a foundational economic driver for many Tribal communities, but diversification into federal contracting, technology, agriculture, sports ownership, tourism, and citizen-led entrepreneurship is increasingly central to long-term growth.
• NCAIED partners with the Minneapolis Fed's Center for Indian Country Development to track economic trends, and surveys Tribal leaders and businesses to capture the real-world impact of federal policy shifts.
• NCAIED's 40 Under 40 program has honored 600+ Native leaders since 2009, recognizing not just professional accomplishment but active community involvement — and its alumni are now leading rooms and shaping advocacy across Indian Country.
• "Rising Together" means Tribal organizations don't need to agree on everything — but shared commitment to sovereignty, culture, language preservation, and the wellbeing of future generations is a unifying force.

REDW Advisors and CPAs 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!

👉 Visit our website