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Location & Lodging

The Native American Building Codes Workforce Development Summit is held at the Clearwater River Casino Event Center & Lodge. Special hotel rates are available at the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge. Call 208-298-1400 or visit www.crcasino.com. Mention “Building Codes Summit” when booking to receive the special rate.

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Native American Building Codes Workforce Development Summit

Join us September 9-10, 2025 at the Clearwater River Casino Event Center for a hands-on summit dedicated to equipping Tribal Nations with the knowledge and resources to shape and strengthen their built environments. Hosted by Nimiipuu Fund, Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority, and Enterprise Financial.

Learn how building codes are created and adopted
Get introduced to the International Code Council (ICC)
Explore the code adoption process specific to Tribal Nations
Discover best practices for enforcement, inspection, and workforce development

This event is designed for tribal leaders, housing authorities, planners, contractors, inspectors, and workforce professionals committed to building safe and resilient communities. Free to attend. RSVP to reserve your spot today! Sponsorship opportunities available.

RSVP Today

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Event held at the Clearwater River Casino Event Center in Lewiston, Idaho. Shop local Native vendors on-site. Hosted by Nimiipuu Fund, Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority, and Enterprise Financial.

8:00 AM | Doors Open & Breakfast

8:45 AM | Opening Ceremony & Invocation

9:00 AM | Welcome & Introductions

9:15 AM | Panel: Native American Building Professionals

This session features Native building professionals who bring both technical expertise and cultural knowledge to the forefront of Tribal housing and infrastructure development. Panelists will discuss how cultural values can be integrated into building codes, how Tribal Nations navigate the complexities of jurisdiction and sovereignty, and how infrastructure planning today can shape the future of Native communities.

Moderator: Doug Marconi, Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority
Panelists: Val Drywater, Colville Tribes; Joel Holliday, Warm Springs Tribe; Dale Schrock, Colville Tribes

Through shared experiences and forward-looking strategies, this panel will provide insights into how Tribes can align tradition, sovereignty, and modern development to build strong and resilient communities.

9:45 AM | Q&A

10:00 AM | Networking Break & Word from our State Representative

10:15 AM | Panel: Technical & Advocacy – Overcoming Compliance Challenges with Tribal Solutions

This panel brings together technical experts and advocates to explore how Tribal Nations can overcome compliance challenges, innovate within building codes, and develop solutions tailored to their communities. Panelists will discuss practical strategies for addressing regulatory barriers, advancing code adoption, and ensuring that housing and infrastructure projects reflect both safety standards and Tribal priorities.

Moderator: Jeff Ackley, Enterprise Financial
Panelists: Melvin Wheeler, Nez Perce TERO; Felix McGowan, AMERIND Insurance; Jason Clark, Colville Indian Housing Authority; Michelangelo Bustamante, Native American Bank

By highlighting diverse perspectives—from workforce and housing to risk management and financing—this session will equip participants with tools and advocacy approaches to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and build healthier communities.

10:45 AM | Q&A

11:00 AM | Word from Rudy Soto, National American Indian Housing Council

11:45 PM | Q&A

12:00 PM | Lunch & Keynote: David Jackson, Native American Codes Council

David Jackson, Founder of the Native American Codes Council and a member of the Gila River Indian Community, will deliver an inspiring keynote on the importance of Tribal Nations adopting building codes as a foundation for healthier, safer, and more resilient communities. Drawing from his leadership and experience, David will highlight how codes can support sovereignty, strengthen infrastructure, and promote long-term community well-being.

Word from Tonya Plummer, Office of Loan Guarantee, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Native American Programs.

1:00 PM | Panel: Codes, Careers, Community: Strengthening Native Homeownership Through Training

This session highlights the critical connection between building codes, workforce development, and the pathway to stronger Native homeownership. Participants will hear about training programs and certification models that open doors to construction and housing-related careers, while also addressing the pressing workforce needs in Tribal communities.

The panel will showcase the outcomes of the Good Jobs Challenge project led by Lakota Funds and Lakota Federal Credit Union, which created career pathways and hands-on opportunities for Native workers. Presenters will share results, lessons learned, and strategies for scaling similar initiatives.

Discussion will focus on identifying community needs, internships, and workforce training programs that lead to industry-recognized certifications. Attendees will also engage in an interactive activity designed to help uncover practical solutions for workforce gaps and training opportunities in their own communities.

By linking codes, careers, and community priorities, this panel equips leaders, housing authorities, and workforce partners with actionable ideas to expand housing opportunities and build long-term capacity.

Panelists: Tawney Brunch, Lakota Funds; Ellen White Thunder, Lakota Funds; Shayna Ferguson, Lakota Federal Credit Union

2:00 PM | Q&A

2:15 PM | Session: Native American Building Codes

This workshop, facilitated by David Jackson, will provide a deep dive into the development and implementation of building codes within Tribal Nations. Participants will gain practical skills in understanding digital plans and blueprint reading, with a focus on adapting these tools to meet Tribal needs.

Designed for housing professionals, planners, and code officials, this session equips attendees with both technical knowledge and practical strategies to strengthen code adoption, enforcement, and long-term community resilience.

4:30 PM | Q&A

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Building Connections: Networking Night on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Rivaura Estate Winery in Juliaetta, Idaho.

This evening social will feature yard games, food, wine and beer, and complimentary beverages for summit registrants. Networking Night provides an informal space to build relationships, exchange ideas, and celebrate community. Hosted by Nimiipuu Fund, Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority, and Enterprise Community Partners, this event provides practical knowledge, peer learning, and networking opportunities that advance sovereignty, safety, and resiliency in Native communities.

RSVP Today

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Tribal Projects in Lapwai, Idaho Site Visits with Transportation provided to and from Clearwater River Casino

8:00 AM | Breakfast Grab n Go

8:30 AM | Shuttles for Field Tour Depart (or transportation on your own)

Hands-On Learning and Closing Reflections

Day two of the Summit takes participants out of the conference hall and into the community for hands-on learning and site-based exploration. After a grab-and-go breakfast and shuttle departure, attendees will tour key projects in Lapwai guided by Doug Marconi and David Jackson, who will walk through site schematics and demonstrate inspection techniques. Site visits include the Tiny Village Housing Project (NPTHA), the Nimiipuu Health Assisted Living Facility (NMPH and NPT), and the Nez Perce Senior Day Center (NPT)—each representing Tribal innovation in housing, health, and elder care.

The afternoon session returns to the Clearwater River Casino for lunch and closing reflections. David Jackson will provide an in-depth review of digital plans and blueprint interpretation, followed by a group discussion and final Q&A. The event will close with a flag ceremony and drum by the NPT Veterans, honoring tradition and community, followed by clean-up with staff and volunteers.

RSVP Today

Thank you Event Sponsors

Nez Perce Tribe Education - Career/Technical

Speakers & Presenters

David Jackson

David Jackson is an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community (paternal) and has ancestral ties to the Tohono O’odham Nation (maternal) in Southern Arizona. Mr. Jackson is a United States Marine Corps veteran who is an active member in his local American Legion Haskell Osife Antone Post 51. After serving his country he went to work for his tribal community in the Tribal Building Safety Department. As an inspector, He worked on both commercial and residential projects for the Gila River Indian Community. One of his largest projects was a multi-million-dollar commercial expansion of the Gila River Casinos and Resort. He has worked with the EPA as the tribal point of contact for the case study on Code Adoption in Indian Country. As well as the tribal liaison for Arizona State University’s Tribal Community Indigenous Design Concepts for Housing. He is an ICC preferred Education Provider. His training and education include being selected as the first Native American to become an ICC Board Shadow to Director Mike Savage of the International Code Council. Currently Mr. Jackson is the Founder and Owner of the Code Advisory Group, a consulting and education firm that advocates for code adoption in Tribal Communities.

Tawney Brunsch

Tawney Brunsch (Oglala Sioux) is the Executive Director of Lakota Funds, the first-ever Native community development financial institution on a reservation. Since becoming Executive Director of Lakota Funds in 2010, Ms. Brunsch has led this financial institution through several more history-making accomplishments, including the charter of the Lakota Federal Credit Union, the launch of a child development account program, and the conversion that is currently underway of a low-income tax credit housing development into privately-owned homes. She innovated a collaboration of key regional leaders in the Native asset-building field to form the Great Plains Native Asset Building Coalition and is a member of the South Dakota Indian Business Alliance and the Native CDFI Network. In addition, Ms. Brunsch serves on the Board of Directors for Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, a Native community development financial institution dedicated to creating opportunities for homeownership on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and was recently appointed to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Advisory Council. Ms. Brunsch received her Bachelor’s Degree in Commercial Economics from South Dakota State University and is certified as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Preparer.

Ellen Whitethunder

Ellen Whitethunder (Oglala Sioux) is the Deputy Director of Lakota Funds, the first-ever Native community development financial institution on a reservation. Ms. Whitethunder plays a key role in launching and implementing a statewide workforce development program, focusing on the construction trades. Prior to her employment with Lakota Funds, White Thunder served as the Vocational Education Director for Oglala Lakota College. She has also worked as a roofer, construction monitor, project estimator, and construction control inspector. Because of this multitude of varying work experiences, White Thunder brings a unique perspective to Lakota Funds. She has a B.S. in Construction Engineering Technology from the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Jeff Ackley

Jeff Ackley is the director of Native American programs for Enterprise Community Partners’ Tribal Nations team. He leads the implementation of our housing programs, including housing development training, homeownership initiatives, and support for Native homeownership coalitions.

Jeff is a Sokaogon Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe Tribal member. Before joining Enterprise, he was the executive director of the Lac du Flambeau Chippewa Housing Authority in Wisconsin. He brings decades of experience managing both homeownership programs and development of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit housing in Native American communities.

He demonstrated his outstanding leadership and innovation when planning and developing a mixed-use development on the Sokaogon reservation, which included a daycare, cultural center, food distribution center, and 20 affordable homes. Jeff also facilitated the planning and installation of over 600kW of solar to the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, which was the largest solar development per capita in the Midwest when completed.

Jeff has received recognition and awards for his work, cited for being a dynamic young housing professional who brings a fresh perspective to affordable housing. He also balances many obligations as a community leader, as vice president of the Crandon school board with determination and persistence. Jeff has a degree from Nicolet College in Wisconsin.

Val Drywater

Val Drywater, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, has dedicated over three decades to building and development work in Indian Country. For the past 19 years, he has served as the Building Official for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Public Works Department in Nespelem, Washington. In this role, he leads code enforcement, disaster response coordination, and developer education to ensure safe, compliant, and resilient construction across the community.

Val has also worked as a contract building inspector for tribal projects at the Wind River Reservation, including the Shoshone Rose Hotel & Casino, and for the Spokane Tribes’ casino in Wellpinit, WA. He is passionate about mentoring the next generation of inspectors and promoting high standards in tribal building practices.

Outside of work, Val enjoys bass fishing and spending quality time with his grandkids.

Dale R. Schrock, Jr

Dale R. Schrock, Jr., a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, is the Executive Director of the Colville Indian Housing Authority (CIHA), where he leads a team of more than 50 employees delivering housing programs to over 1,000 individuals and families. Under his leadership, CIHA manages more than 400 low-income rental units, multiple LIHTC developments, emergency housing, rehabilitation and energy upgrade projects, elder repair programs, community facilities, and rental and homebuyer assistance initiatives. A CIHA team member since 1994, Dale advanced through leadership roles in the Capital Improvements Department, gaining and building on over 30 years of construction and housing management experience. Dedicated to serving his own tribe, he has directed numerous HUD- and tribally funded housing projects, ensuring compliance with building codes, environmental standards, and fiscal requirements, while advancing energy efficiency, safety, and workforce development.

Jason Clark

Jason Clark, a proud member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, serves as Capital Improvements Director for the Colville Indian Housing Authority (CIHA). With more than 18 years of construction management experience—including 13 years running his own successful general contracting business—he has led housing construction, rehabilitation, modernization, and infrastructure projects funded through IHBG, ICDBG, and other federal and tribal programs. Known for his hands-on expertise across multiple trades and his ability to bring teams together, Jason ensures CIHA projects are delivered with precision, efficiency, and impact. His leadership drives high-quality results that strengthen housing, infrastructure, and opportunity for the Colville Reservation and surrounding communities.

Michelangelo Bustamante

As a strategic and results-driven commercial lender at Native American Bank, I specialize in creating impactful financing solutions for businesses, tribal enterprises, and Native business owners across the West Coast, Alaska, and Idaho. With a proven track record in business development, financial analysis, and relationship management, I am committed to driving economic growth and sustainability, particularly in underserved communities. I have a deep passion for supporting renewable energy projects and empowering tribes and Native-owned businesses through customized loan structures. I am adept at navigating complex loan transactions and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, including SBA, BIA, and USDA Loan Guarantee Programs. By combining my expertise in lending with my dedication to fostering sustainable and inclusive economic development, I help my clients secure the resources they need to thrive

Douglas Marconi

Felix McGowan, MBA, AINS

AMERIND Critical Infrastructure Director

Mr. McGowan is an enrolled tribal member with the Little Shell Band of Chippewas in Montana and was raised in Poplar Montana, the Tribal headquarters of the Fort Peck Tribe. He has served in many capacities in American Indian Tribal governments for the past 25 years. He is accomplished in directing Tribal enterprises within the federal procurement process and has contracted in excess of $20 million in Department of Defense procurements for Tribal businesses. Mr. McGowan provides tribal governments with business knowledge and expertise to positively affect tribal resources and self-sustainability. Felix was in charge of a tribal security company working multiple federal agencies and helped to obtain security clearance for the company. He received both his bachelor’s degree and
MBA from Gonzaga University. He resides in Post Falls, Idaho with his wife and family.

Joel Holliday

I began working with the Warm Springs Housing Authority (WSHA) in October 2013 and bring over 27 years of construction experience, including 18 years dedicated to building homes for the Warm Springs Tribe and WSHA. I completed the Tribe’s carpenter apprenticeship program and am a Journeyman Carpenter, with additional training in HUD Environmental Review, Purchasing Fundamentals, and Sustainable Development, Design, and Construction.

My service includes roles on the Tribe’s Land Use Planning Committee and the Transportation Committee. I have also worked as an Energy Auditor, managed the Weatherization Program, and administered the Senior Citizen Home Repair Program (SCHRP). My experience extends to overseeing new construction and rehabilitation projects funded through ICDBG, IHBG, LIHTC, PSH, and State of Oregon programs.

Melvin Wheeler

Shayna Ferguson

Shayna Ferguson has been an employee of the Lakota Federal Credit Union since October 18, 2012 – shortly after the credit union received its charter and before we officially opened our doors to the public in November that year. As a manager, she plays many roles at the credit union. She does underwriting for loan products, assist members with opening accounts, open Share Certificates, and works the teller line processing everyday transactions for members. Ms. Ferguson was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation here in South Dakota and is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. After graduating at Red Cloud Indian High School, she attended South Dakota State University and then later Oglala Lakota College. Ms. Ferguson's goal is to provide our surrounding communities with easier access to a financial institution, which is member owned and not-for-profit. She enjoys conducting community outreach to the Oglala Lakota Nation and encouraging her people to utilize the products and tools that we provide here at home on the Reservation.

Shawn Spencer

We are grateful to the National American Indian Housing Council for sharing valuable video resources, including insights from Rudy Soto and HUD’s Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) with Tonya Plummer. Your contributions help strengthen our collective knowledge and support for Native communities.

Event Venue

Clearwater River Casino Event Center

17500 Nez Perce Road
Lewiston, ID 83501 + Google Map

Map of the Clearwater River Casino, the location for the Nation Building Conference.

Directions to the Event Venue

Code of Conduct

Attendees are expected to observe appropriate behavior during the event. This includes, but is not limited to, respect for the presenters, host, and other attendees and a prohibition on any abusive behavior. Attendees are not permitted to share any malicious files or information, or spam, and are prohibited from using offensive, threatening, or violent language when contacting other attendees electronically. The ability to participate and format for said participation is at Nimiipuu Fund’s sole discretion, including the ability to verbally or electronically interact with other attendees. Nimiipuu Fund reserves the right to remove or restrict any attendee due to a violation of these terms and to enforce bans from future sessions or events.

Location & Lodging

Native American Building Codes Workforce Development Summit

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

8:00 AM | Doors Open & Breakfast

8:45 AM | Opening Ceremony & Invocation

9:00 AM | Welcome & Introductions

9:15 AM | Panel: Native American Building Professionals

9:45 AM | Q&A

10:00 AM | Networking Break & Word from our State Representative

10:15 AM | Panel: Technical & Advocacy – Overcoming Compliance Challenges with Tribal Solutions

10:45 AM | Q&A

11:00 AM | Word from Rudy Soto, National American Indian Housing Council

11:45 PM | Q&A

12:00 PM | Lunch & Keynote: David Jackson, Native American Codes Council

1:00 PM | Panel: Codes, Careers, Community: Strengthening Native Homeownership Through Training

2:00 PM | Q&A

2:15 PM | Session: Native American Building Codes

4:30 PM | Q&A

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Building Connections: Networking Night on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Rivaura Estate Winery in Juliaetta, Idaho.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

8:00 AM | Breakfast Grab n Go

8:30 AM | Shuttles for Field Tour Depart (or transportation on your own)

Hands-On Learning and Closing Reflections

Thank you Event Sponsors

Nez Perce Tribe Education - Career/Technical

Speakers & Presenters

Event Venue

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