Mule Deer Consulting

Investment Risk Mitigation

Category: Tribal & Nonprofit Insights

  • Who Owns Your Story? Meet Robert “The Tribal Website Guy” Jacobo

    Let’s talk about something powerful that doesn’t get nearly enough spotlight: digital sovereignty and the Native man shaking things up in that space like a deer in a data center.

    If you haven’t met Robert V. Jacobo III (aka The Tribal Website Guy), let me put you on. He’s a proud member of the Mojave Tribe, the president of Indigenous Media Group, founder of Indigefish, and one of the loudest voices out there reminding Tribal communities:

    “Your land is sacred. Your stories are sacred. Your websites? Yeah those should be sacred too.”

    And honestly? He’s right.

    What Is Digital Sovereignty Anyway?

    “Digital sovereignty” might sound like a tech buzzword, but when Robert talks about it, it hits different.

    He defines it like this:

    “It’s more than just data security it’s about control, autonomy, and protecting our future.”
    (Yes, he said that. And no, it’s not from an Apple keynote.)

    Robert’s core message is this: if Tribes don’t own their digital infrastructure like websites, data storage, or online communications they risk giving away parts of their sovereignty one click at a time. When your website is hosted on someone else’s server, built by someone who doesn’t understand your people, or is stuck in 2006… you’re not just behind. You’re vulnerable.

    And that’s where Robert steps in.

    🌐 Websites That Actually Work (and Mean Something)

    Under Indigenous Media Group, Robert and his team rebuild and reclaim Tribal websites think modern, secure, culturally beautiful, and actually useful. Sites like:

    • Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
    • Native Village of Port Heiden
    • Countless other Tribal organizations across Turtle Island

    We’re talking integrated community calendars, news updates, language resources, and photos that make you feel proud not confused. His websites don’t just work they reflect who people are.

    “It’s not about just looking good online it’s about sovereignty,” Robert says.
    “It’s how we speak for ourselves, protect our data, and connect our people.”

    I mean… tell me that’s not tattoo-worthy.

    Digital Tools With Bite

    One of Robert’s latest passion projects? The Digital Sovereignty Assessment Tool.

    It’s kind of like Buzzfeed quizzes meet Tribal tech audit. It walks Tribal leaders through a series of questions:

    • Where is your data stored?
    • Who controls your website?
    • Do you even know your passwords? (Be honest…)

    And at the end, boom you get a report showing what’s solid and what needs work. It’s free, it’s accessible, and it’s helped Tribal councils kick off conversations about tech security, internal controls, and long-term digital planning. You can find it on indigenousmediagroup.com and start reclaiming your tech stack before your cousin accidentally deletes the homepage.

    Indigefish? Yup. That Too.

    Robert also runs Indigefish, an Indigenous-owned outdoor apparel and fishing lifestyle brand that’s so much more than a cool hoodie. (Though, the hoodies are cool.)

    It’s a movement. It’s a vibe. It’s a reminder that Native people belong in every space, including the riverbank, the podcast mic, and the Shopify homepage. It weaves storytelling, respect for the land, and cultural representation into every product.

    Plus, it proves that economic sovereignty doesn’t have to look like a casino or a grant it can look like a brand that feels like home.

    Oh, And He’s a Podcaster Too

    Because of course he is.

    Robert and his team at 4B Management Group have been producing digital storytelling content podcasts, videos, community interviews that highlight Tribal governance, entrepreneurship, and real-life Indigenous success stories.

    If you’ve ever thought “I wish someone would make a show where Native elders, leaders, and artists just talk real talk,” congratulations: he’s making that happen. These aren’t just vanity projects they’re archival tools that pass culture on in the languages and mediums people are using today.

    Why This All Matters (and Why You Should Care)

    Robert’s work isn’t just helping Tribes look cooler online. It’s helping them build power.

    When communities control their own websites, data, and stories:

    • They build trust internally.
    • They protect their elders’ wisdom.
    • They give youth a reason to be proud of where they’re from and where they’re going.

    And maybe more importantly they stop letting outside firms speak on their behalf. That’s the real shift. And that’s why this work matters.

    What You Can Do (Besides Applauding)

    Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

    • ✅ Tribal leader? Check your website. Do you know who owns the domain? If not go to indigenousmediagroup.com.
    • Into podcasts? Look for Indigenous Media Group’s content and press play.
    • Want gear that reflects your culture, not someone else’s fantasy? Shop Indigefish.
    • Inspired? Share this story. Tag a cousin. Send it to your Tribal council. Start a convo.

    Final Thoughts

    Robert Jacobo isn’t just The Tribal Website Guy.
    He’s the guy reminding all of us that sovereignty has a URL and it better be in your name, not GoDaddy’s.

    So next time you’re clicking through your Tribe’s website and wondering why the “Events” page hasn’t updated since Obama’s first term, maybe it’s time to call Robert.

    Mule Deer Consulting is eager to collaborate with Robert Jacobo to co-create an Indigenous-led AI Readiness and Digital Maturity Model one that reflects the values of sovereignty, cultural protection, and long-term self-determination. By blending Robert’s pioneering work in digital sovereignty and media infrastructure with Mule Deer’s expertise in systems strategy and grant-funded implementation, this partnership would support Tribes in assessing, planning, and deploying SMART (Sovereignty-Minded, Adaptive, Resilient, and Transparent) systems across service delivery, governance, and data management. Together, we can envision building a roadmap that doesn’t just prepare Tribal nations for AI but ensures they lead it, on their own terms.

    💬 Thoughts? Comments? Got a story about your website glow-up?

    Let’s hear it below ⬇️
    #DigitalSovereignty #NativeTech #IndigenousMedia #RobertJacobo #TribalWebsiteGuy #Indigefish #MuleDeerApproved 😉

  • 2025 ICWA Court Improvement Grants: What Tribal Courts Need to Know

    Strengthening Sovereignty from the Bench: The ICWA Court Improvement Program Evolves

    In Tribal child welfare, the courtroom is more than a legal arena. It is where sovereignty, tradition, and the future of Native families all pull up a chair and ask, “So, what are we doing about this?” That is why recent changes to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Court Improvement Program (CIP) are kind of a big deal. From new funding to fresh expectations, the legal landscape is finally catching up to what Tribal communities have known all along. Protecting children means protecting culture, honoring kinship, and respecting sovereignty.

    Let us walk through what is changing, why it matters, and how your court, your program, or your community can use these updates to build smarter, more sovereign systems without needing a law degree or a spreadsheet wizard. We promise, this will not require memorizing acronyms longer than a deer’s shadow in October.

    What Is the Court Improvement Program and Why Does It Matter?

    Let us start with the basics. The Court Improvement Program (CIP) has been around for decades, quietly humming in the background, funding court reforms related to child welfare. For a long time, it mostly helped state courts figure out how to move cases faster, track decisions better, and avoid dropping the ball when families were already in crisis. Kind of like duct tape for court systems, not glamorous, but often holding things together.

    But in recent years, especially with pressure from Tribal advocates and some serious side eye from ICWA attorneys, the conversation has shifted. Courts are now being asked gently but firmly to stop treating Tribal involvement like an optional step. Enter the ICWA focused updates to CIP.

    CIP now offers three types of grants, each with real potential to support ICWA implementation:

    • Basic Grants fund broad improvements, like case flow management, reducing delays, and improving family engagement. Think of it as upgrading your system from a flip phone to a smartphone. No more T9 texting your court orders.
    • Data Grants help build or improve tracking systems that actually include Tribal affiliation, case timelines, notice dates, and yes, whether someone actually picked up the phone to call the Tribe.
    • Training Grants provide funding for staff development, cross training between courts and Tribal representatives, and creating materials that explain what “active efforts” means in real life, not just in a legal brief. Spoiler, it is more than a voicemail.

    In short, CIP is no longer just for state court paperwork clean up. It is a tool, and a funded one, that Tribal courts and state Tribal partnerships can use to modernize, digitize, and build processes that actually reflect the communities they serve. And maybe even free up a little time for your overworked staff to have a lunch that does not come in a vending machine.

    New Law, New Funding: What the 2025 Updates Change

    In 2025, Congress passed the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act, a law with a name so long it probably needed its own acronym. But unlike a lot of federal reform, this one actually delivers. No empty calories here.

    Here is what changed, and why your ears should perk up like ours do when we hear grant funding in the wind:

    More Tribal Court Funding: Annual funding for Tribal Court Improvement Projects (TCIPs) doubled, jumping from 1 million to 2 million. These grants are discretionary, which means no state match is required. If you have been avoiding federal applications because you cannot find a match partner, this is your green light. Saddle up.

    ICWA Data Collection Is Now Required: States taking CIP funds must now report on their ICWA compliance. That includes metrics like whether Tribes were properly noticed, if active efforts were documented, and whether someone remembered to include cultural considerations before making placement decisions. No more “close enough” records. The data deer are watching.

    Technical Assistance Is Baked In: HHS is now providing support to help courts and agencies figure out how to actually implement these changes. Think policy templates, reporting tools, example workflows, and less head scratching all around. Like trail signs when the fog rolls in.

    Tribal Collaboration Is No Longer Optional: States must demonstrate ongoing collaboration with Tribes. That means Tribes should be at the table, not on the sidelines, when new court processes or reforms are being designed. Think joint working groups, regular consultation, and shared decision making. If it feels like a potluck, you are doing it right. Just bring something other than pasta salad.

    All together, these changes mean the feds are finally backing up the promise of ICWA with resources and structure. It is not just about compliance anymore. It is about accountability, visibility, and genuine partnership. And we like partnerships almost as much as we like well labeled PDFs.

    How Tribes and States Are Putting These Tools to Work

    So how is all this showing up on the ground? Across the country, we are seeing Tribes and state courts put this funding to work in creative, culturally grounded, and sometimes unexpectedly delightful ways.

    WA

    Washington State is syncing data systems between child welfare agencies and the courts so information actually flows. That means fewer cases where someone has to say, “I think that form is in someone’s inbox… somewhere.” Translation: the deer can find the salt lick without a map.

    AK, MT, NM

    In Alaska, Montana, and New Mexico, Tribal courts are using TCIP funds to digitize case files, build real time reporting dashboards, and implement culturally relevant family reunification programs. These are not just court upgrades. They are sovereignty in spreadsheet form. And trust us, these spreadsheets actually work.

    CA

    California has used CIP to train more than 800 judges and child welfare professionals on ICWA, emphasizing not just the legal requirements but the deeper cultural context. And yes, they are finally addressing the “What does active efforts really mean?” question. Hint: It is not sending a pamphlet and hoping for the best.

    One thing all these projects have in common? They prioritize relationships, community leadership, and systems that reflect lived experience, not just legal theory. They rebuild trust, reduce burnout, and make space for Native children to be raised in Native homes, connected to their families, language, and identity. Which is exactly how it should be, and how it always should have been.

    Want help figuring out how your Tribe, court, or program can use CIP or TCIP funding?

    Mule Deer Consulting can walk you through eligibility, narrative strategy, and proposal development. We translate fed speak into real world solutions, and we make sure your grant proposals reflect your values, not just the checklist.

    Feed the deer. Do not lose the trail. And if you are out of trail mix and patience, we will bring snacks and strategy. Let us get to work.

  • Navigating a Federal Funding Freeze: Strategies for Tribal and Nonprofit Resilience

    Navigating a Federal Funding Freeze: Strategies for Tribal and Nonprofit Resilience

    When critical funding halts without warning, hope can feel just as frozen. Recent decisions by the EPA to suspend hundreds of millions in environmental justice grants have left tribal communities, nonprofits, and remote villages facing not just uncertainty — but immediate, compounding risks to housing, safety, and infrastructure.

    More than $350 million in funds awarded to over 22 tribes and nonprofits have been put “on hold” as of March 2025, affecting vital climate resilience projects across the country. From home renovation efforts in Alaska’s Native Village of Tyonek to riverbank stabilization in Kipnuk, communities are watching critical timelines slip away with no clear answers from federal agencies.

    The Reality on the Ground

    Without immediate access to these promised funds, tribal and rural communities are facing:

    • Rising construction and material costs without funding to act
    • Delays that shrink already limited building seasons (especially in Alaska)
    • Health and safety hazards like coal heating, contaminated water, and unstable housing
    • Uncertainty for multi-generational families trying to return home or stay safely housed
    • Loss of hard-won momentum in climate adaptation, emergency preparedness, and energy resilience projects

    The emotional cost is just as real. Tribal members who have spent decades fighting for community improvements now face frozen timelines, frozen budgets — and frozen hopes.

    What Can Communities Do During the Freeze?

    While waiting for federal clarity, tribes and nonprofits don’t have to stand still. Strategic steps now can protect future funding opportunities, maintain project momentum, and position communities for faster action when funds are released.

    1. Strengthen Internal Grant Systems

    Use this pause to organize project files, update grant compliance documents, finalize procurement protocols, and tighten financial tracking. When audits and funder reviews resume, your readiness will stand out.

    2. Create Supplemental Funding Plans

    Identify alternative grant programs, foundation partnerships, and private funding streams that could support partial project costs or pre-construction planning efforts. Diversifying funding reduces dependence on a single source.

    3. Finalize Engineering, Design, and Environmental Clearances

    Even if construction must wait, communities can push forward with architectural drawings, site prep planning, environmental impact assessments, and permitting — keeping the project shovel-ready.

    4. Tell the Story — Document Impact

    Collect community testimonies, photos of current infrastructure risks, and stories showing how project delays are impacting real lives. This documentation will strengthen future funding applications, news outreach, and advocacy efforts.

    5. Engage Technical Assistance Partners

    Consultants, grant managers, and tribal infrastructure experts can help with compliance prep, strategic communications, funding applications, and readiness assessments — keeping your team moving even when outside forces stall.

    Standing Strong Together

    At Mule Deer Consulting, we understand the frustration and fear that comes when your community’s progress is put on hold. We also know that the trail ahead is rarely a straight line — but strong planning and strong systems build resilience.

    If your grant was frozen — or if you’re preparing for what comes next — we can help you:

    • Organize grant documents and readiness audits
    • Map out multi-grant funding plans
    • Develop storytelling materials for future applications
    • Build compliance systems that show funders you’re ready to move quickly and effectively

    Your mission deserves to move forward — even when the path is uncertain.

    🦌 Explore Our Services
    🦌 Contact Us Today

    Source information adapted from NPR’s reporting: Federal Funding Freeze Halts Key Infrastructure Projects in Tribal Communities (April 14, 2025).

  • Grant Renewals Aren’t Luck — They’re Built: How to Set Your Organization Up for Long-Term Funding

    Grant Renewals Aren’t Luck — They’re Built: How to Set Your Organization Up for Long-Term Funding

    Getting the first grant award can feel like winning the lottery.
    But keeping that funding year after year? That’s no accident.

    It’s the result of strategy, structure, and systems — long before renewal season hits.
    At Mule Deer Consulting, we help tribes, nonprofits, and grant-funded programs build grant ecosystems that don’t just survive… they thrive.

    Why Renewals Matter More Than Awards 🦌

    Most grants are awarded based on potential.
    Renewals are awarded based on proof:

    • Proof of compliance
    • Proof of performance
    • Proof that you’re a low-risk, high-impact investment

    Without the right groundwork, even the best programs lose out when it’s time to reapply.

    How to Build Renewal-Ready Grants from Day One

    1. Document Everything

    If it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen — at least in the funder’s eyes.
    Build SharePoint libraries, track expenditures, and log client outcomes consistently and accessibly.

    2. Align Activities to Outcomes

    Every budget line and service activity should map back to the grant’s stated goals.
    Random purchases or disconnected programs create renewal risk.

    3. Prepare for Audits Like They’re Inevitable

    Spoiler: They are.
    Internal controls, clean documentation, and proactive compliance systems aren’t “extras” — they’re renewal insurance.

    4. Use Technology to Scale, Not Stall

    Grant management software, digital workflows, and structured file systems turn chaos into clarity.
    A messy backend kills renewal chances faster than you can say “site visit.”

    Mule Deer Consulting: Your Guide to the Long Trail 🌿

    We don’t just help you win funding — we help you build ecosystems that protect your mission for years to come.

    Whether you need grant writing, compliance systems, audit preparation, or a tech overhaul, we’re here to help you stay renewal-ready and future-focused.

    🦌 Explore Our Services
    🦌 Contact Us Today