Brad Hawk, executive director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, told the Senate Appropriations Committee the commission is focusing on housing, workforce development, cultural programs and increased engagement with tribal governments.

Hawk spoke at a public hearing on the commission’s appropriation and described activities since his January appointment, including the commission’s 75th anniversary, the government‑to‑government conference for tribal leaders, and wider coordination with federal partners. "Our role has changed over the years," he said, and the commission has been trying to deepen engagement with each tribe’s strategic planning and priorities.

Hawk outlined program priorities the commission is pursuing with tribal partners. He said housing was a central issue for several tribes, complicated by land‑ownership and trust land issues; for example, he mentioned Standing Rock’s efforts to build a new hospital and the need for housing for medical staff. He said childcare availability and workforce development are recurring topics in meetings with tribal planners.

Deputy Director Anthony Bauer described several on‑going or planned initiatives: oral‑health efforts with tribal partners and tribal college pipelines for students, cybersecurity support for tribal entities (noting Turtle Mountain’s recent funding for tribal college cybersecurity work), a White Stone Hill monument project, coordination with the Mississippi Headwaters and Tribal Health Directors groups, food sovereignty and pilot vertical‑farming efforts, and farmers‑market pilots at tribal colleges to accept SNAP benefits. Bauer also described involvement in committees on transportation, agricultural zoning, and tribal economic development and said the commission is monitoring a regional "Solar for All Energy" grant.

Economic and workforce development specialist Melinda Padilla Lynch described new work to connect tribal economic developers, including a quarterly "Native developer luncheon," a consultant assessment of tribal economic assets and workforce needs, and plans to pilot a Native entrepreneur cohort in cooperation with partners from neighboring states. She said the assessment found high interest in entrepreneurship among tribal members and stressed the commission’s small staff must partner to implement programs.

Committee members asked about funding, staff and the commission’s budget request. Hawk said the commission’s conference is funded partly by private contributions and tribal contributions and that the state has a conference fund that agencies can use; Larry (legislative/fiscal staff) explained that revenue exceeding expenses in a conference fund is transferred to the general fund while shortfalls are charged to the agency appropriation.

Hawk said the agency currently operates with four full‑time staff and noted the commission has requested an additional public information officer FTE in the executive budget to support outreach. He said the commission’s strategic plan work included an economic assessment delivered to tribal communities and will be used to support outreach to potential businesses and partners.

Ending

Committee members asked for follow‑up items including more detail on proposed FTE changes and clarification on how conference and donor funds are managed; the committee set the item aside for later consideration.