The Luak Group

08/26/2026

For those of you who don’t live in New Orleans—or who have never experienced Mardi Gras in person—I want to give you a little perspective on just how big this opportunity is for me. 👑💜💚💛

The Krewe of Cleopatra is one of New Orleans’ premier all-women Mardi Gras krewes, with approximately 3,500 women riding in the parade. Cleopatra’s parade night officially opens the 12 days of Carnival festivities leading up to Mardi Gras Day, and when we roll through the city, New Orleans knows Carnival has arrived.

And this is not a small parade.

Cleopatra is a spectacular night parade, filled with lights, music, elaborate floats, costumes, throws, and all the magic that makes New Orleans Mardi Gras unlike anything else in the world. Our parade travels approximately four miles through Uptown and Downtown New Orleans, with an estimated 75,000+ spectators lining the route to watch us roll.

Now imagine what it would mean to be the woman sitting at the very front of all of that.

Queen Cleopatra. 👑

To reign over a krewe of more than 3,500 women.

To lead one of New Orleans’ signature Mardi Gras parades through tens of thousands of spectators.

To ride through the heart of this city as Queen, toast the Mayor of New Orleans in front of historic Gallier Hall, and look out along that four-mile route and see my friends, family, and people I love waiting for me—calling my name, cheering me on, and sharing that once-in-a-lifetime moment with me.

Just thinking about that part gets me emotional.

Because for me, this isn’t only about the title or the crown. It’s about having the opportunity to experience one of New Orleans’ greatest traditions from a place very few women will ever get to experience it—to represent our krewe throughout Carnival season and then lead thousands of women through the city on one of its most magical nights.

That is the opportunity in front of me.

So for my friends outside of New Orleans who may have wondered, “Why is Brandi campaigning so hard for this?”—this is why.

On August 29, it all comes down to whose name is drawn.

Every capsule purchased in my name puts one more chance into that drawing. Capsules are $250 each, and they can absolutely be split among friends, family members, coworkers, businesses, or anyone who wants to help me stack the odds.

The last day to purchase capsules online is August 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

I want this. I want it badly. And I would love nothing more than to know that the people who have supported me throughout my life helped put me in that crown. 👑

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a capsule—or grabbing a few people and splitting one—now is the time.

Help me bring home the crown and become Queen Cleopatra 54. 💜💚💛

https://kreweofcleopatra.org/product/queen-54-capsules/

08/11/2026

The Luak Group is proud to be a community development partner with the Comanche Nation Housing Authority and provide support for their housing projects. Since 2021, we have worked alongside the housing team to draft housing grant applications for over $21.8M. 🏡

The Comanche Nation Housing Authority received a $1.5 million HUD grant to rehabilitate tribal homes in southwest Oklahoma, improving safety and energy efficiency.

08/11/2026

Important update for Tribal Nations, TDHEs, housing authorities, Native CDFIs, and Native-serving organizations:

The U.S. Senate has passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government through December 11, 2026. The Senate version includes language that would delay implementation of OMB’s proposed overhaul of the Uniform Guidance for federal awards.

This is an important step, but it is not the end of the issue. The measure still has to move through the rest of the legislative process before the delay becomes final.

For Indian Country, this delay matters. OMB’s proposed rule could significantly affect how federal grants are reviewed, awarded, paid, monitored, and potentially terminated. For Tribes and tribal housing programs already managing limited staff capacity, rising costs, housing shortages, infrastructure needs, and complex compliance requirements, more uncertainty in the federal grant process could have real consequences.

This delay would give Tribal Nations and Native-serving organizations more time to review the proposed changes, prepare for potential impacts, and continue demanding meaningful Tribal consultation.

We should use this time wisely.

Tribes, TDHEs, housing authorities, and Native organizations should continue tracking this issue, communicating with congressional representatives, and making clear that federal grant reforms must protect tribal sovereignty, trust and treaty obligations, tribal self-determination, and the practical realities of administering federal funds in Indian Country.

This proposed rule still cannot be ignored.

08/06/2026

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe in Virginia is looking for a new Finance Director.

Nokomis Strategies is facilitating the search process. The Finance Director will join Pamunkey's team in person at the Pamunkey Indian Reservation along the Pamunkey River in King William County, Virginia.

The position reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for financial management functions which encompass administration, daily operations, supervision of tribal employees, policies, procedures and grant/program management and ensures financial operations are in compliance with Tribal laws, ordinances, standards, and all applicable federal and VA state laws.

If interested, check out the job description at
https://www.nokomisstrategies.co/careers or call the Nokomis team at
(907) 300-2742.

This listing closes on August 26, 2026.

08/06/2026

This is a great tool for tribal nations.

Today, we're featuring our Nation Building Toolbox focused on our Senior Fellowship! The Joseph P. Kalt Senior Fellowship in Indigenous Governance and Development allows highly accomplished senior leaders to spend time at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. As honored representatives of their Nations, Senior Fellows are able to reflect on their careers in public service and share practical lessons in nation building with the coming generations of world leaders. Our toolboxes are online, mixed media, learning tools which can assist in meeting the needs of Indigenous leaders, allies, and decision makers. Check it out here: https://sites.google.com/view/seniorindigenousleader/home

The self-guided toolboxes enable Nation Builders to explore, develop and manage their understanding of key functions of tribal, First Nation, and other Indigenous governance structures and strategies. The Toolboxes provide Nation Builders with learning activities and resources they can use to assist Indigenous communities in their drive for self-determination. The content is supplemented with case studies, lessons learned, and first-hand explanations by fellow decision makers who have tackled the challenges of strengthening their own communities.

We can’t tell you what will work for your community, but we do hope that having access through these toolboxes to the lessons from, and experiences of, other Native nations will provide you with ideas and useable starting points as you tackle your own community’s needs.

08/05/2026

For nearly two decades, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Tribal Nations across Indian Country—helping communities secure housing, build capacity, strengthen sovereignty, and pursue opportunities that create lasting impact.

Today, I’m sharing something much more personal.

I have officially entered the drawing to become Queen Cleopatra 54 with the Krewe of Cleopatra in New Orleans.

While this is a Mardi Gras tradition, it also represents leadership, service, culture, and community. To the best of my knowledge, if selected, I would become the first Native American woman to reign as Queen Cleopatra. That possibility is incredibly meaningful to me—not simply as a personal milestone, but as another opportunity for Indigenous representation in spaces where our voices and stories have historically been underrepresented.

The Queen is selected by a random drawing, and each Queen Capsule purchased in a candidate’s name equals one entry into the drawing.

If you would like to support my candidacy, I’d be deeply honored. A capsule is $250, and many supporters are choosing to split the cost with colleagues or friends (for example, five people at $50 each or ten people at $25 each). One person simply purchases the capsule in my name after collecting everyone’s share.

If supporting financially isn’t possible, sharing this post or simply cheering me on means just as much.

Thank you to the Tribal leaders, housing professionals, partners, clients, and friends who have supported me throughout my career. Your encouragement has opened doors I never imagined possible, and I’m grateful for each of you.

🔗 Purchase a Queen Capsule in the name of Brandi Liberty:
https://kreweofcleopatra.org/product/queen-54-capsules/

08/05/2026

Be Part of History. Build the Future.

This isn’t just another construction job—it’s an opportunity to help change the future of housing in Indian Country.

The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Housing Authority, in partnership with Báxoje Construction, is building the first large-scale 3D printed housing development on tribal lands. This groundbreaking project is combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge construction technology to create affordable homes while building a skilled workforce for tomorrow.

We’re looking for motivated individuals who want more than a paycheck. We’re looking for people who want to be part of history.

Whether you’re an experienced tradesperson or someone ready to learn an innovative new skill set, this project offers the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders in one of the fastest-growing areas of construction technology.

Why Join the Team?

✔ Help build one of the most innovative housing projects in Indian Country.
✔ Learn cutting-edge 3D concrete printing technology.
✔ Gain experience that will set you apart in the construction industry.
✔ Earn competitive Davis-Bacon wages and benefits.
✔ Be part of a project that will serve Native families for generations.

This is more than workforce development—it’s an investment in the future of our people, our communities, and the next generation of Native builders.

When people look back at the history of 3D printed housing in Indian Country, they’ll remember the team that built it.

Will your name be part of that story?

View the available positions and apply today:
👉 see link to positions in the comments

Got the skills? We've got the opportunity. 🔨

Báxoje Construction is hiring for multiple field positions to support our growing 3D Printed Housing Program. Competitive pay and great opportunities to grow.

See the comments for the full job descriptions and application link! 👇

08/05/2026

Ethical consulting in Indian Country is not measured by how much work you can sell or how much money you can bill.

Sometimes the most valuable professional advice is:

“You do not need to hire me for this.”

“This service is not the right solution.”

“You can accomplish this another way.”

“This funding opportunity is not a good fit.”

“Your organization is not yet positioned to implement this successfully.”

Or simply: “You should not pay that much for this work.”

Tribal governments have too often been treated as if access to grants means they have unlimited resources. But grant funding is not discretionary wealth. These are restricted, finite community resources intended to provide housing, infrastructure, essential services, economic opportunities, and long-term benefits for Tribal citizens.

A potentially large return does not automatically make every consulting fee a good investment. Professional fees should be proportionate to the actual scope, complexity, expertise, risk, and time involved—not based on the size of the possible award or an assumption that a Tribe can afford it.

I believe consultants have an obligation to tell Tribal leadership when work can reasonably be completed internally, when a free resource already exists, when a referral would be more effective, when a proposed service is unlikely to produce the desired result, or when the cost does not align with the work involved.

I also will not prepare a grant application simply because funding is available. If the project is not competitive, the program is not a good fit, or the organization does not yet have the capacity to implement it responsibly, my job is to say so. Sometimes the appropriate work is to first develop the program, strengthen internal systems, or build implementation capacity—not rush into another application.

Fair pricing does not mean undervaluing professional expertise. It means understanding the difference between genuine project and program development, specialized strategy, compliance work, and tasks that should not carry an inflated price simply because they involve grant funding.

As a Native consultant, I view this as part of my responsibility to the communities that trust me. I am not there merely to produce deliverables or generate another invoice. I am there to help Tribal leaders make informed decisions, protect community resources, strengthen internal capacity, and create outcomes that can be sustained long after my engagement ends.

Sometimes that results in a consulting contract. Sometimes it results in a referral, a resource, or an honest recommendation not to spend the money.

That is not lost business. That is fiscal stewardship, professional integrity, and servant leadership in Indian Country.

08/04/2026

𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Further info in comments below.