The Daily Spark

The 12th Annual RedCan Invitational Graffiti Jam will take place July 8-11 on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, bringing nationally recognized muralists, live performances and community art activities to Eagle Butte, according to the Cheyenne River Youth Project. The free event will feature 11 muralists creating public art throughout the community before activities shift to the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park on July 10-11.

The event will include youth art activities, free spray painting, skateboard painting, hoop dancing classes, poetry, community meals and performances by Murs, Bazille, Reed Two Bulls and the Sampson Brothers, according to the Cheyenne River Youth Project. Opening and closing circles each day will include prayer, smudging and drum songs led by the Wakinyan Maza drum group.

The 25th Navajo Nation Council unanimously approved legislation on July 2, authorizing an investment of nearly $245 million in broadband infrastructure projects across the Navajo Nation, according to the Navajo Nation Council Office of the Speaker. The measure includes $75.5 million from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance for the Navajo Nation Broadband Office and $169 million in debt financing from the Capital Development Financing Fund.

The funding will expand broadband access to all 110 chapters, according to the Office of the Speaker. Fifty-two chapters are connected to fiber optic infrastructure, while 58 will receive low Earth orbit satellite internet service through Starlink. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren will have up to 10 calendar days to act on the resolution once it is certified and delivered.

Gallup-McKinley County Schools disproportionately disciplines Native American and Hispanic students, causing them to lose significantly more instructional time than their peers, according to reporting by Source NM. The findings come from a yearslong investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice, which found Native American students lose roughly 8 to 10 times as many school days to out-of-school suspensions as white students, while Hispanic students lose three to four times as many.

The New Mexico Department of Justice found the district has reduced expulsions and referrals to law enforcement since the investigation began in 2023, according to the Source NM reporting. Gallup-McKinley County Schools said it is reviewing the report and highlighted efforts under Superintendent Jvanna Hanks, including the creation of an Equity Council with positions designated for members of the Native American community. The district also said it is committed to ensuring all students are treated fairly and remain engaged in learning.

Powwow dancers attending the Gathering of Nations shared how dance styles have changed over time, with some pointing to new categories and greater participation across regional traditions, according to reporting from ICT. Leslee Woody, who dances Southern Cloth, said powwows often vary depending on organizers and location. Her mother, Loraine Lee, said newer categories such as woodland, chicken and horse dance have become more common in recent years. Dancers also described greater flexibility in the styles people choose to dance. Loraine Lee said dancers now often participate in categories outside their regional traditions,  according to the ICT reporting. Nelly Ann of Thunderchild First Nation said the growing number of dance categories has contributed to a revitalization of powwow culture. Brayden Sanchez said younger dancers are learning quickly and that he continues dancing grass in honor of his late brother.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has awarded a $750,000 grant to the California Tribal Families Coalition to expand legal advocacy for Indigenous children and families, according to reporting from The Imprint. The funding, distributed over three years through the tribe's Doyuti T'uhkama grant program, will support Indigenous advocates and attorneys in child welfare cases, expand professional training and increase early legal intervention in Child Protective Services cases involving tribal children.

The California Tribal Families Coalition works to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act and strengthen tribal authority in child welfare cases. The grant will help expand the coalition's advocacy and prevention efforts, according to The Imprint reporting. Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Chairman Anthony Roberts said the investment is intended to strengthen tribal capacity and help keep Indigenous children connected to their families, communities and cultures.

The National Congress of American Indians withdrew from its partnership with America250 in July 2025 after disagreements over Indigenous representation and the direction of the nation's 250th anniversary commemoration, according to reporting from HuffPost. NCAI had joined the initiative in 2024 as an official America250 Natural Resource Partner to help ensure Native history was included in the national narrative. Executive Director Larry Wright Jr., a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, said the organization left after the commemoration's direction changed under the Trump administration.

NCAI leaders said the partnership ended following concerns about changes to historical interpretation and representation, according to the HuffPost reporting. Policy Director Meghan Bishop, a member of the Sugpiat/Native Village of Afognak, said the group's partnership agreement was canceled in early 2025, though its logo continued to appear on materials for several months afterward. Wright said the organization will continue advocating for accurate Native history and tribal sovereignty.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Washington State University have launched a five-year partnership that includes athletic branding, academic initiatives and student opportunities, according to reporting from Spokane Public Radio. The agreement includes "1872 Colville Tribes" patches on Washington State University football uniforms, along with educational programs and collaborative events. Colville Tribal Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson said the partnership builds on existing education and research agreements between the tribe and the university.

Erickson said the partnership is intended to support long-term economic growth and expand opportunities for tribal students to pursue careers in fields including health care, forestry and natural resources, according to the Spokane Public Radio reporting. He said the tribe plans to evaluate the agreement based on new partnerships, workforce development and its contribution to the tribe's goal of strengthening financial sovereignty.

A June 27 all-ages Indigenous benefit concert in Portland, Oregon, marked the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Greasy Grass, while raising funds for the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, according to reporting from Underscore Native News. The event, titled "Victory Day 2026," featured 10 acts, including headliner 1876, Weedrat, Lo Cashninjas and Eggplant Dance Battle. Organizers said the concert emphasized Indigenous unity, education and community.

The lineup brought together established and emerging Indigenous artists across punk, hip-hop and other genres, according to Underscore Native News. Performers and attendees said the event created space for Native youth, strengthened cultural connections and celebrated Indigenous identity in an urban setting. Funds raised during the concert benefited the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation.

Farm bill proposals under consideration in Congress would create permanent programs allowing state and tribal governments to purchase food from local and regional producers, according to  reporting from the Associated Press. The proposals follow the Trump administration's decision in March 2025 to end two U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that helped tribes purchase culturally significant foods from local producers. Both the House and Senate proposals would dedicate 10% of program funding to tribes.

Tribal farmers and advocates said permanent funding would provide more certainty for small producers while helping preserve Indigenous food systems, according to the Associated Press reporting. Dawn and Cassius Spears, who operate Ashawaug Farm in Rhode Island, said the programs supported the distribution of traditional foods and strengthened cultural connections. Supporters also said long-term funding would help producers plan for future growing seasons and expand access to locally grown foods in tribal communities.

A Miccosukee Tribe member urged Miami-Dade County to consider transferring the former “Alligator Alcatraz” detention site to tribal stewardship, but the property remains under state control, according to reporting from the Florida Phoenix. Betty Osceola said the Miccosukee people would preserve the Everglades site if it became available. However, Miami-Dade County said Florida has not returned the land or provided a timeline for doing so, preventing the county from selling or transferring the property.

The Miccosukee Tribe clarified that Osceola’s comments reflected her personal views and not the tribe’s official position, according to the Florida Phoenix reporting. Chief Communications Officer Alvaro Zabaleta said Chairman Talbert Cypress has not issued a public statement or expressed an intention for the tribe to seek ownership or control of the land. The former immigration detention center site remains under the control of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Wileety Native American College at Sacramento State provides students with an education grounded in tribal leadership, traditional knowledge and community, according to reporting from Underscore Native News and ICT. The college opened in September 2025 and allows students admitted to Sacramento State to pursue a minor in Native American studies with an emphasis on tribal leadership alongside any university major. The inaugural cohort included 34 students.

The college was established after a 2018 campus survey found Native American and Black students reported the lowest sense of belonging and retention rates, according to Underscore Native News and ICT reporting. Inaugural Dean Annette Reed, a citizen of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, said the college aims to create a place where Native students feel supported and connected to community. Students also receive faculty mentors and participate in a cohort model designed to strengthen relationships on campus.

Michele Hakala-Beeksma, a member of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, showcased three handmade Ojibwe dresses during an America 250 fashion show at the Mall of America, according to reporting from MPR News. Hakala-Beeksma, who works with the 1854 Treaty Authority, said participating in the event was important to ensure Indigenous history was represented as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The dresses represented different periods of Ojibwe history and were also displayed during the weekend event.

Hakala-Beeksma also presented the 1854 Treaty Authority’s exhibit, “Sovereign Nations: Discovering the Treaty Story of Minnesota’s Indigenous Peoples.” Dakota County Historical Society Executive Director Matt Carter said the organization expanded its America 250 programming to include Indigenous perspectives. Hakala-Beeksma told MPR News that treaties remain central to Minnesota’s history and continue to shape the relationship between tribal nations and the state.

EnCore Energy plans to restart South Dakota’s permitting process for the proposed Dewey-Burdock uranium mine after securing its final required federal permit last month, according to reporting by South Dakota Searchlight. The project spans nearly 20 square miles in Custer and Fall River counties and was added to the federal FAST-41 permitting process in 2025. According to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the company has submitted new water rights applications but has not yet applied for mine or groundwater discharge permits.

The project’s state permit applications have remained inactive since 2013 while federal reviews and litigation continued. According to the South Dakota Searchlight reporting, the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Indigenous rights group NDN Collective oppose the project, citing concerns about potential impacts on historic and cultural sites in the Black Hills. The Black Hills Clean Water Alliance has also raised concerns about possible groundwater contamination and water use associated with the proposed mining operation.

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library dedicated a medicinal garden during a private ceremony in Medora on July 3, marking what library leaders and tribal representatives described as an ongoing commitment to building relationships with tribal communities. According to reporting by the North Dakota Monitor, the garden was designed by Three Affiliated Tribes artist Cannupa Hanska Luger and features three garden beds shaped to resemble an opened tipi skin. Traditional seeds from regional tribes will be planted to symbolize community, renewal and continued participation.

Library officials and members of the Native American advisory council said the garden reflects work that will continue beyond the library’s opening. According to the North Dakota Monitor, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College President Twyla Baker said the project provides an opportunity to share Indigenous knowledge, while Theodore Roosevelt V said the partnership will require continued collaboration and the incorporation of tribal perspectives into the library’s future.

New research by Conservation International found that Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices and community stewardship play a direct role in protecting forests, wildlife and ecosystems while strengthening climate resilience, according to reporting from Grist. Researchers interviewed 49 Indigenous leaders from 43 communities across six continents and found every community reported experiencing climate-related impacts such as drought or extreme weather. The study also found more than half of the communities face pressure from extractive industries, including mining and logging.

The report identified traditional practices such as protecting sacred areas, preventing overfishing, monitoring for wildfires and resisting resource extraction as important factors in maintaining healthy ecosystems. According to the Grist reporting, 96% of respondents to the study said they set aside land for cultural or spiritual purposes that also protect biodiversity. Participants also called for greater climate funding, stronger legal protections for Indigenous territories and recognition of Indigenous land rights to support continued stewardship.

Patrick A. Penn, who formerly served as acting administrator of the Food and Nutrition Administration, recently visited the Spirit Lake Tribe to discuss tribal food systems, nutrition programs and government-to-government collaboration, according to a Facebook post from the Spirit Lake Food Distribution Program. During the visit, Penn, who currently serves in the USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations, met with tribal leadership and toured Tate Topa Tribal School and the North American Bison processing plant to learn about the tribe's Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and food sovereignty initiatives.

Discussions focused on tribal sovereignty, self-determination in federal nutrition programs, food supply challenges and improving access to healthy foods for Native families. The meeting    highlighted efforts to expand access to nutritious foods through the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, local food procurement and nutrition education. According to the Spirit Lake Food Distribution Program, the visit also reinforced the U.S. Department of Agriculture's commitment to partnering with tribal nations to strengthen food security, local agriculture and community well-being.

Montana State University's Caring for Our Own Program, which supports American Indian and Alaska Native nursing students, received a $70,000 endowed gift to establish the Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail Endowed Fund, according to Montana State University. The donation from retired nursing professor Kathleen "Kay" Chafey will provide long-term funding for student resources, including tutoring, field-based learning and classroom supplies. The program currently serves 63 students, with enrollment expected to grow to about 75 this fall.

The endowment honors Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail, who became the first registered nurse from the Crow Reservation in 1927. More than 100 graduates of the Caring for Our Own Program are licensed nurses working in Montana, and the program is expected to reach 200 graduates by December. University officials said the endowed fund will help sustain the program as it approaches its 30th anniversary.

Five Oklahoma tribes have been awarded a combined $1.6 million through the Native American Housing Initiatives grant program to support affordable housing and community development projects, according to reporting from Oklahoma Voice. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Housing Authority received $500,000 to build three tiny homes, provide rental assistance and offer down payment support. The Bah-Kho-Je Housing Authority, which serves the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, received $400,000 to convert an RV park into a permanent housing community.

The Osage Nation Housing Department and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians each received $250,000 to build housing for veterans and older tribal citizens, according to reporting from the Oklahoma Voice. The Otoe-Missouria Tribe received $200,000 for home repairs and rental assistance.

Menominee water protectors launched a hand-crafted dugout canoe on the Menominee River this week, marking what organizers say is the first time in generations that a Menominee-made canoe has traveled the river, according to reporting from ICT. The organizers, Dawn M. Wilber and Wayne Swett, spent more than two weeks shaping a 17-foot pine log using traditional methods before beginning a 48-mile journey from the Sixty Islands Archaeological site to the mouth of the Menominee River. 

The annual canoe journey reconnects participants with their ancestral homelands while highlighting the cultural significance of the river and surrounding sites, according to the ICT reporting. Organizers also said the event raises awareness about efforts to protect the area from a proposed mining project near the Menominee River. Wilber and Swett said they plan to preserve the canoe after the journey by sinking it in the water using a traditional storage practice.