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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. Gain expertise on building bright futures futures with our trusted advisors. Press play on your commute or coffee break!
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Send us a text Sage Memorial Hospital's journey from a four-room adobe building in 1911 to a state-of-the-art healthcare facility represents more than a century of serving the Ganado community. This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally welcomes Melinda White, CEO of Sage Memorial Hospital, to discuss the hospital's remarkable transformation and its commitment to blending Western medicine with traditional Navajo healing practices. Melinda, who was born at Sage and returned...
Send us a text Revenue cycle management isn't just a back-office operation—it's a strategic tool for strengthening care delivery in Tribal communities. This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally sits down with Melissa C. Goad, CRCR, CPA, MBA, a healthcare finance veteran with 30 years of experience spanning both payer and provider perspectives. Melissa shares her transformative journey as CFO of a 638 Tribal Healthcare Facility on the Navajo Reservation, where she led a co...
Send us a text The 105(l) lease program has become one of the most transformative funding mechanisms available to Tribal Nations—but it's widely misunderstood. This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally sits down with Geoff Strommer, partner at Hobbs Straus Dean Walker, to demystify this critical provision of the Indian Self-Determination Act. Despite the name, 105(l) "leases" aren't leases at all in the traditional sense—they're funding agreements that enable Tribes to re...
Send us a text Employee voice is transforming HR practices across Indian Country, creating both opportunities and challenges for Tribal organizations. This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally welcomes Taryn Reynolds, MSL, THRP II, and Jessica Goodfox, THRP, TMP, from REDW's Human Resource Consulting team to discuss the heightened focus on HR accountability, proper documentation practices, and the unique cultural considerations that shape Tribal workplace policies. ...
Send us a text John James, CEO of Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming), joins Wes Benally this episode to discuss the evolution of tribal gaming. They discuss the importance of customer experience and the role of innovation in the industry. John shares insights on navigating economic uncertainty, balancing technology with team development, and the significance of non-gaming amenities in enhancing customer experiences. A must-listen for aspiring leaders in the gaming sector! Chapter...
Send us a text This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader, Wesley Benally, welcomes Rebecca George, Executive Director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association, to the podcast. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding tribal gaming, the economic impact it has on communities in the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of education and advocacy in navigating state-tribal relations in Washington. Rebecca shares insights on the diversification of tribal economies beyond gaming and ...
Send us a text In this episode, Wesley Benally interviews James Siva, Vice Chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, discussing the dual perspectives of tribal leadership and gaming advocacy. They explore the future of gaming in California, the importance of balancing community values with economic decisions, and the need for economic diversification among tribal nations. Siva emphasizes the significance of engaging younger generations in the gaming industry and the power of inter-trib...
Send us a text Wesley Benally welcomes Taryn Reynolds, MSL, THRP II, to the Insight in Indian Country Podcast. Taryn is a proud member of the Osage Nation and Human Resources Consultant at REDW Advisors & CPAs. With a rich background spanning 13 years in tribal government, she shares her unique perspective on blending traditional values with progressive governance in tribal organizations. In their conversation, Taryn emphasizes how protecting sovereignty extends beyond language preservati...
Send us a text In this powerful episode of Insight in Indian Country, host Wesley Benally welcomes Sean McCabe, CPA and Controller of the Navajo Nation, for a candid discussion about building a meaningful legacy in tribal finance. With nearly 30 years of accounting experience, Sean reflects on what it means to leave a lasting impact that "my kids could be proud of, my people could be proud of." As a member of the Salt People Clan and Red Running into the Water Clan, Sean shares how he navigat...
Send us a text It's Native American Heritage Month! The latest episode of Insight in Indian Country features Marcus Benally, a Navajo audit manager at REDW Advisors and CPAs, who skillfully blends his grandfather's teachings with corporate leadership in the finance industry. In this candid conversation, podcast host REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader Wesley Benally sits down with Marcus to discuss how cultural identity becomes a superpower in professional settings, even when i...
Send us a text Actor and spiritual leader Mo Brings Plenty joins the Insight in Indian Country Podcast guest-hosted by REDW’s Cristin Heyns-Bousliman. With a special appearance with Wesley Jones, Mo discusses Tribal Nations Health, a Native-led organization he co-founded with James Jordan. The organization provides customized healthcare solutions for Tribal communities, focusing on preventive care, empowering elders, and creating culturally tailored solutions that respect Tribal sovereignty. ...
Send us a text Update: On March 21, 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced a significant revision to the Corporate Transparency Act. Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting will no longer be required of U.S. companies or U.S. individuals. The program has been modified to require BOI reporting only by foreign entities that have filed documents with a Secretary of State or similar office. All U.S. companies and U.S. individuals are ...
Send us a text Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe is a landmark Supreme Court case centered around the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), which enables Tribes to enter into contracts with the Federal Government to operate their own health programs. The court's recent decision in favor of the San Carlos Apache Tribe affirmed the government's obligation to fully fund these contracts, including paying contract support costs. To dive deeper into the case and its impa...
Send us a text The Tribal Leadership Council is a board-governed not-for-profit business that proudly supports tribal leaders and executives with continuing education and provides tools to better their organizations. Intent on building capacity in Indian Country, the council's primary focus is empowering leadership and promoting economic growth and prosperity for tribal communities. This episode, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally sits down with the organization's Chairman and C...
Send us a text The need for consistency, collaboration, and good internal controls cannot be overstated for implementing GASB 96, which establishes uniform accounting and financial reporting for subscription-based information technology agreements (SBITAs). With upcoming fiscal years ends on the horizon, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally and Audit Principal Chris Bitakis take some time to discuss GASB 96 implementation thus far and provide insights for tribal organizations to...
Send us a text It's time to dust off those P&Ps! REDW's Internal Audit team is here to help you find the finish line with your organization's policies and procedures. For all types of organizations, turnover and evolving roles are common issues that both contribute to outdated policies and procedures and require their updates. For Internal Audit Awareness Month, REDW National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally and Internal Audit Audit Senior Manager Cait Gutierrez discuss the importance ...
Send us a text On May 16, the New Mexico Society of CPAs (NMSCPA) is hosting their Second Annual Tribal Conference focused on tribal enterprises, cohosted by REDW Advisors and CPAs. Wes Benally is joined by fellow REDW Principals Victor Flores and Chris Henderson to touch on conference topics including tribal economics, entrepreneurship, and impact investing with native-owned businesses. Victor and Cait Gutierrez, REDW Internal Audit Senior Manager, will join a lineup of respected speak...
Send us a text Tribal fiduciaries have a responsibility to follow sound fiscal practices and fulfill their duty of care. This episode, Wes Benally and Paul Madrid discuss the Tribal fiduciary role and reducing risk in the management of employer-sponsored retirement plans. Paul explains the unique challenges tribal fiduciaries face, the importance of following fiduciary responsibilities, and introduces REDW's retirement plan sponsor scorecard—a tool specially designed to help Tribes assess the...
Send us a text Our celebration of Women's History Month continues with Hattie Mitchell, a senior manager in client advisory and accounting services. Hattie shares her journey as a professional and member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation with REDW National Tribal Practice Leader and show host, Wes Benally. She discusses the inspiration she drew from her family's involvement in tribal finance, and talks about her involvement in the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council (GASAC)...
Send us a text Happy Women's History Month! In this episode, REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader Wes Benally interviews Colaine Curtis, a senior manager and client advisor. Colaine shares her journey as a Diné woman in the accounting profession, discussing her early career working for tribal organizations, transition to public accounting, and the rewards and challenges of her work. She offers advice for those considering a career in accounting and emphasizes the importance of i...
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