
Midwest Native American Human Resources Conference
October 10-11, 2017
Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown-Bricktown, Oklahoma City, OKDue to the success of our National Native American Human Resources Conference and a demand for bringing its value to the Midwest, Native Nation Events is proud to announce our Midwest Native American Human Resources Conference on October 10-11 at the Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown-Bricktown in Oklahoma City, OK.
Through a series of panels, workshops and round-table discussions, attendees will hear from top experts in the human resources field on various topics and discuss real-life scenarios among and between attendees, facilitators and speakers. At this two-day conference, you will have the opportunity to network with Tribal Leaders and Human Resources Professionals who share the common goal of finding the most effective ways to manage their various tribes and enterprises.
Who Should Attend:
- Tribal and Casino Human Resources Professionals
- Compensation and Benefits Professionals
- Tribal Enterprise Executives/Managers
- Tribal Leaders
- Accountants/CPAs
- Auditors
- Attorneys
- Third Party Administrators
- Financial Advisors
- Risk Managers
- Information and Technology Professionals
- Logistics Professionals
- Employee Relations Specialists
- Insurance Professionals
To speak with a representative about attending, speaking, sponsoring or exhibiting, please call 201-857-5333 or email sales@nativenationevents.org
Registration is now closed.

HOTEL INFORMATION
ALOFT OKLAHOMA CITY DOWNTOWN-BRICKTOWN209 N. Walnut Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405-443-2632
Room Rate – $129
Cut Off Date – 9/24/17
Call 405-443-2632 and say you are with Native Nation Events.
MIDWEST NATIVE AMERICAN HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE
October 10-11, 2017
Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown-Bricktown, Oklahoma City, OK
Tuesday, October 10
12:30-1:00 PM
Registration in Exchange 3

1:00-1:15 PM
Welcome Remarks

Justin O’Connor
President
Native Nation Events
1:15-2:15 PM
Nurturing the HR Leader: Mindfulness as Access to Success
Presenter:

Jim Stroker
Coach
NNE Leadership Solutions Group
Human Resources leaders are often regularly giving more than they take. It is critical for human resources professionals to continue to develop healthy practices that allow them to continue to support employees, managers and an organizational culture. In this interactive presentation, you’ll work with Master Mindfulness Expert, Jim Stroker and discover:
- How to decrease stress through mindfulness.
- Secrets to achieving mental clarity in the midst of chaos.
- Self-Motivation techniques for the overworked HR professional.
- How to leverage the power of just 5 minutes for yourself.
- Training employees in mindfulness and the benefits to the bottom line.
2:15-3:00 PM
The Affordable Care Act Update: What Changed, What Didn’t and What You Can Expect
Presenters:

James Nichols
Senior Attorney
Dorsey & Whitney

Susan Chimento
Managing Partner
Ashford-Chimento Insurance
With so much hype around the repeal of Obamacare (The ACA), what changes are ACTUALLY in motion under the Trump Administration? Since 2010, employers have been adjusting their healthcare plans to fit the changes associated with the ACA. Interrupt the information and media overload and discover:
- How to prepare for compliance with any new or proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act.
- How to navigate the confusion of what provisions will change and when.
- The most updated healthcare reform initiatives under the Trump Administration.
- The parts of the ACA that may be the most difficult to repeal.
- What future changes HR professionals need to prepare for.
3:00-3:30 PM
Afternoon Break in Exchange 3

3:30-4:15 PM
Navigating Financial Wellness for Tribal Nations: Moving Beyond Financial Literacy
Presenters:

Aaron LeClaire
Business Development, Tribal Nations
Advanced Capital Group

Dan Schroeder
Principal
Advanced Capital Group

Carrie Petersik
Senior Director,
Financial Education
EVERFI
What are the key features to explore and consider when introducing a financial wellness program to your community?
Hear some specific examples of what works and what does not.
Hear about the benefits of bringing financial wellness to all generations of your community.
You will gain an understanding of the various features and how you can tailor these features for the uniqueness of your nation.
Understand the definition of financial wellness as well as its importance.
4:15-5:00 PM
Workplace Tension
Presenter:

Brian Noble
Executive Director
Peacemaker Ministries
- Do you know how to handle unhealthy tension?
- Do you know how to create healthy tension?
- Did you know that the average employee spends two to three hours per week dealing with unhealthy tension in the workplace? That means for every 13 to 20 employees an entire work week is distracted by conflict. In just 45 minutes we will discover the Path of a Peacemaker.
- The Path will help you quickly resolve unhealthy tension so you can get back to work and achieve the mission of your organization. So let’s get together and walk the Path.
5:00 PM
Tuesday’s Sessions Conclude
Wednesday, October 11
7:30-8:30 AM
Registration & Breakfast in Exchange 3

8:30-9:15 AM
Creating a Corporate Wellness Program – Bringing New Life into Your Team
Presenter

Jim Stroker
Coach
NNE Leadership Solutions Group
- Many employers have incorporated wellness plans into their workforce, but measuring and maintaining their success are two completely different matters.
- How do you build a culture of wellness even in a fast paced business environment?
- Learn how to educate and get employees and their families to become more engaged consumers.
9:15-9:45 PM
Employment Law Update
Presenters:

Raymond C. Etcitty
General Counsel
Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise
- Best practices between Native and Non-Native organizations.
- What are some of the newest laws impacting your tribe or tribal business?
- Laws we are tracking.
- Update on jurisdiction of National Labor Relations Board over Tribal enterprises.
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Why do tribal employees make claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act?
- How does the Family and Medical Leave Act apply to my tribe and its tribal operations?
- How does the Family and Medical Leave Act fit in with other employee rights, such as disability accommodation?
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- How does the FLSA apply to tribal employees and tribal enterprises?
9:45-10:15 AM
Morning Break in Exchange 3

10:15-11:00 AM
Evaluating the Value of Implementing “payer of last resort” Status for a Tribal Self-Insured Health Program
Presenters:

Brian Nissen
Human Resources Director
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Ben Butler
Vice President
Tribal First
- This session will go through the historical and legislative back ground of “Payer of Last Resort”
- How applicable is it to Tribal Self-Insured Health Programs?
- We will hear how this status can provide significant benefits for tribes and their enterprises if set up properly.
- What are some of the key aspects of invoking and implementing “payer of Last Resort” status will be covered during the session along with actual examples of tribes implementing it?
11:00-11:45 AM
How to Prepare for, Employ, Engage and Retain “Generation Z”
Presenters:

Wanetta Thompson
Vice President of Human Resources & Talent Management
Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures

Angela Bunner
HR Employee Relations Supervisor
River Spirit Resort Casino

Lana Oswaldson
Director of Recruitment & Performance
Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures
Understanding the changing workforce and how to meet them where they are is essential to keeping your tribe or organization current and competitive. This interactive round-table discussion will feature HR professionals sharing:
- Data and research to understand who Generation Z is and the key essential facts that affect HR professionals the most.
- The difference between the millennials and Generation Z.
- Generation Z in Indian Country: What are the nuances?
- How to successfully navigate multi-generational teams, manager/employee relationships, and diversifying training that engages multiple generations.
11:45-12:30 PM
Unemployment Risk Management
Presenter:

Brian Allen
Business Development
501(c) Services
- What unemployment management options are available for Tribal entities?
- What are the benefits to outsourcing your unemployment management to a third party administrator?
- What cost advantages can be had by outsourcing?
12:30-1:30 PM
Lunch in Exchange 3

1:30-2:30 PM
Increase Employee retention through benefits education and by Coordinating Supplemental and Base Benefits
Moderator:

Dave Walker
Owner
GITW Benefits-Globe Life
Presenters:

Brian Nissen
Human Resources Director
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Breezy Prince
Human Resources Director
Wichita & Affiliated Tribes

Brian Noble
Executive Director
Peacemaker Ministries

Angie Kean
Human Resources Director
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma
Employee benefits education, the coordination of benefit options, good provider communication with employees, and timing of enrollments are all tools for success. Reducing employee confusion about the differences of Supplemental and Base Benefits is everyone’s job. This discussion will focus on tools that can help reduce employee questions and help them make informed decisions. Employees should feel added value from the benefits package they are provided, thus improving employee retention.
2:30-3:00 PM
Afternoon Break in Exchange 3

3:00-3:30 PM
The Essential Guide to Thorough and Legal Employee Background Checks
Presenter

Christopher B. Chaney
Unit Chief-Criminal Justice Information Law Unit
FBI Office of the General Counsel
Integrating a full background check through screenings, interviews, record checks and the most current technology is of the utmost importance to support informed hiring. This interactive session will provide an insight to federal and state legal updates and regulations applicable to pre-employment background checks. In this session HR Professionals will:
- Explore and audit their current background check process and risk management strategy.
- Gain understanding of the various legal authorities that authorize access to FBI data for background check purposes.
- Understand the implications of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Ban the Box laws.
- Review areas of background check legal compliance matters to protect your tribe and organization from a costly lawsuit.
- Learn how to implement key best practices immediately to upgrade your background check process.
3:30-4:15 PM
Policy & Procedure Essentials: Managing Risk, Preserving Culture While Protecting your Tribe and its Employees
Presenters:

Hilary DeVlaeminck
Human Resources Director
Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort

Pam Peters
M.P.A
President/Owner
Littlesun Consulting
Member
Pawnee Nation
Drafting or editing existing employment policies and procedures is a constant ongoing task. It’s important to balance fair policies and procedures while managing the tribe’s cultural preservation. While at the same time being proactive by ensuring those same policies create a safe workplace against things such as workplace bullying.
This interactive session will explore:
- How to do a successful policies and procedures audit.
- Developing a clear communication plan for integrating changes and updates to employment policies and procedures.
- How to ensure that managers and leaders model policies and procedures and communicate changes effectively.
- Ensuring documentation, contracting and all employment procedures support the tribe’s longevity and interests.
- The importance of specifying and defining workplace bullying or other egregious acts in employee handbooks and onboarding programs. How to integrate the mission and vision of the tribe into creating a positive work environment.
- How to investigate and appropriately document instances of workplace bullying when they do happen.
4:15-5:00 PM
HR Teams Doing it all: Preparing Managers to Lead Groups Effectively
Presenters:

Christina L. Porter
Human Resources Training Specialist
Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino

Marcus Diaz
Director of Organizational Development
Casino Del Sol

Marion Lebsock
PHR-CA
Director of Human Resources
Gun Lake Casino

Virginia Sprague-Vanderband
Director of Training
Gun Lake Casino
Are your managers escalating everything to HR without attempting to create team efficiency, cohesion, and structures for communication? How can effectively training managers in building effective teams is a win/win situation for your over extended HR team and Managers alike?
In this interactive session you will:
- Discover the 4 stages of Team Development.
- Understand the role of HR in evaluating team effectiveness.
- Learn how to evaluate potential managers as effective team leaders.
- How to leverage the diverse strengths of your HR department.
- How to use data from other departments to support HR’s effectiveness.
- Integrating Manager Team Training that distinguishes the actions Managers must take before escalating issues to HR.
- Learn tangible team building strategies to empower managers with.
- How to build a case for HR programs, adding new staff and the case for human capital management being a tribal and organizational priority.
5:00 PM
Conference Concludes
Take a look at who has attended our National Native American Human Resources Conferences.