The Daily Spark

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, is pressing Harvard University to explain delays in returning Native ancestors and cultural items under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, according to reporting from The Harvard Crimson. In a June 8 letter to Harvard President Alan M. Garber, Schatz requested updates on the university's compliance efforts, including how many ancestors and cultural items have been returned and how many remain in its collections.

Schatz, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, gave Harvard 30 days to respond and asked whether the university met its pledge to complete the disposition of ancestors and associated funerary belongings by 2025. According to the Harvard Crimson’s reporting, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology had repatriated 5,464 ancestors and more than 20,000 funerary belongings as of Dec. 31, 2025. Still, 4,643 ancestors remained in the museum's possession, either in active consultation with tribes or awaiting consultation. "Indigenous people have waited long enough," Schatz said in a press release. "It's time for these museums and universities to stop the delays and finally do the right thing."

The Santa Fe Indian School, established in 1890 as a federal boarding school intended to assimilate Native children, now serves as a tribally controlled institution focused on preserving Indigenous culture and language. According to reporting from GPB, students and staff are reshaping the school's legacy through Native-centered curriculum, language instruction and efforts to reclassify library materials that students say portray Native people as history rather than living communities.

The school offers instruction in about 11 Indigenous languages and allows tribes to guide what students learn. Kyle Shutiva, a junior at the school, said the library recategorization project reflects that mission. "We're just trying to decolonize this area," he said. "[The] 970s [of the Dewey Decimal System, where Native American materials are categorized] show that Native Americans are history, but we're still here, truly." Language teacher Tasha Pino, an alumna of the school, said teaching is a way to give back. "Being able to give back to my community and to my students," she said, "this is the way I can do that."

American Indian and Alaska Native people have some of the highest overall cancer death rates among U.S. racial and ethnic groups, according to the American Association for Cancer Research's Cancer Disparities Progress Report 2026. The report also found that American Indian and Alaska Native populations are experiencing some of the largest increases in early-onset colorectal cancer rates, underscoring ongoing inequities in cancer outcomes.

The report noted progress in narrowing some racial disparities in cancer mortality but said significant gaps remain across the cancer continuum. American Indian and Alaska Native populations continue to experience higher incidence and mortality rates for stomach, gallbladder and liver cancers. The AACR called for sustained federal investment in cancer disparities research, screening and prevention programs, warning that recent funding disruptions threaten efforts to ensure that advances in cancer care benefit medically underserved communities.

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed bipartisan legislation that would permanently establish the Small Business Administration's Office of Native American Affairs, according to reporting from Tribal Business News. The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, introduced by Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., passed the House on June 23 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

The bill would codify the office into federal law, create an assistant administrator position reporting directly to SBA leadership, and expand its role in tribal consultation, contracting, entrepreneurial development and access-to-capital programs. Davids, an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, said the measure would improve Native entrepreneurs' access to SBA resources.

The Trump administration has ordered the removal of more than 900 bison from federal land in Montana, affecting animals that migrate from areas adjacent to Yellowstone National Park, according to reporting from Outdoor Hub. Federal authorities cited concerns about brucellosis transmission to cattle and property damage as reasons for the directive. The removal process could include relocating bison to tribal lands or conservation herds, or culling the animals.

Tribal nations and conservation groups opposed the decision, arguing the animals are culturally and ecologically significant. Tribal leaders said bison are central to cultural identity and efforts to restore herds on ancestral lands. Critics also questioned whether the directive adequately considered environmental review requirements and public input, while legal challenges are expected to focus on wildlife protection laws and administrative procedures. The decision has renewed debate over how federal agencies balance livestock interests, Native concerns and wildlife conservation on public lands.

University of North Dakota law professor Dan Lewerenz was featured throughout an ICT special report examining the history and legacy of Indigenous erasure as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. Lewerenz, an assistant professor of law and citizen of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, shared perspectives on tribal sovereignty, federal Indian law and the lasting impacts of assimilation policies.

Lewerenz told ICT that federal boarding school policies accelerated the decline of Indigenous languages by separating children from their communities and prohibiting them from speaking their Native languages. He also described the Trade and Intercourse Acts and the Dawes Act as major forces shaping tribal economies and land ownership. While self-determination policies have given tribes tools to address historic harms, Lewerenz said restoring tribal authority and supporting language revitalization remain critical steps forward.

Chef Sean Sherman's newest restaurant, Indígena by Owamni, opens Tuesday at the Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis, expanding his efforts to center Indigenous foods and supply chains, according to reporting from MPR News. Sherman told MPR News that the restaurant builds on the model established at Owamni, which already spent more than $500,000 annually with Native fishers, ricers and farmers. He said Indígena is expected to quadruple that investment while continuing to train cooks and support Indigenous producers. "We're using food as our language … our story and our platform," Sherman said.

The menu highlights Indigenous ingredients while excluding wheat flour, dairy and cane sugar, according to the MPR News reporting. Culinary director Lee Garman said the kitchen sources wild rice from Ojibwe communities including Fond du Lac, White Earth and Red Lake. Staff members also described the restaurant as an opportunity to connect culture with hospitality. "It's really heartwarming to be able to see your own traditions, foods and practices in play in real life," employee Braeden Laughlin told MPR News.

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Iowa indicted 51-year-old Mark Milk of Sioux Falls on five felony counts related to the death of his 14-year-old niece, McKenna Wendel, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, according to reporting by South Dakota Searchlight. In the indictment, Milk is accused of providing the cocaine that killed Wendel on March 14, giving her THC, transporting her across state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity and concealing evidence. Jon Rogness, 38, of Brookings, also was indicted on two felony counts alleging he helped conceal evidence.

Both men were on parole at the time of the alleged crimes, according to the South Dakota Searchlight reporting. Milk had been released in 2024 after then-Gov. Kristi Noem commuted his life sentence for manslaughter, while Rogness was serving parole after a manslaughter conviction. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa Leif Olson declined to discuss details beyond the charges, saying investigators will "prove at trial" the allegations outlined in the indictment.

The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council voted unanimously on June 9 to oppose a planned July 3 fireworks celebration and presidential visit at Mount Rushmore, citing drought conditions, wildfire concerns and longstanding treaty disputes, according to reporting from Native Sun News. In Resolution 26-55, the council urged the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service to cancel the event, warning that fireworks pose "a high risk of wildfires" that could threaten tourists, tribal members, the Black Hills and sacred sites.

The resolution also objected to celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary on land taken from the Sioux under the 1877 Act, according to the Native Sun News reporting. Tribal leaders cited federal actions they said harmed Sioux treaty territory, including pipeline and uranium projects, and raised concerns about Missouri River hydropower benefits and the treatment of Native people by federal immigration authorities. Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out signed the resolution, reaffirming the tribe's position on Sioux land claims. The National Park Service has not announced whether the event would be altered or canceled.

Preston Tolth was released from federal prison June 15, five years after Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay disappeared from her home on the Navajo Nation, according to The Associated Press. Tolth pleaded guilty to robbing Begay and was sentenced in May to five years in prison with credit for three years already served. The Federal Bureau of Prisons said he also received credit for good conduct. Begay, a weaver and grandmother of nine, has never been found.

Begay's family said they were shocked by Tolth's release and had expected him to remain in custody until at least 2028. Tolth admitted to investigators that he stole Begay's truck, assaulted her and left her on the roadside, though a federal judge later ruled his confession inadmissible. Mary Kathryn Nagle, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and attorney for Begay's family, told The Associated Press the case reflects broader failures in investigations involving missing and slain Indigenous people.

According to a statement from the Navajo Nation, the tribe joined communities across the United States in recognizing Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery and honors the values of freedom, resilience, justice and equality. The statement noted that on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved African Americans were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect.

The Navajo Nation said Juneteenth honors the resilience and perseverance of those who endured slavery and recognizes generations who continued the fight for civil rights and equal opportunity. The statement said the tribe stands with its Naahiłii relatives in observing the day and emphasized the importance of remembering history and building communities rooted in respect, understanding and unity.

A commemoration program marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Rosebud Creek, known to the Cheyenne as the Battle Where the Girl Saved Her Brother, was held June 17 at the Rosebud Battlefield near Decker, Mont., according to Sheridan Media. The event included a presentation of the colors led by Northern Arapaho Warriors and Cpl. Billy Farris, a blessing by Northern Cheyenne citizen Donovan Taylor, and remarks from park officials and tribal leaders.

Dr. Leo K. Killsback, a Northern Cheyenne descendant of Chief Dull Knife and author of two books on Cheyenne history, described the significance of the battle and the actions of Buffalo Calf Trail Woman, who rescued her wounded brother during the fighting. According to the Sheridan Media reporting, the event concluded with a horseback reenactment of the rescue and a community feast attended by representatives of several tribes, the U.S. Army and the Kobold family, who once owned the land that is now a Montana state park.

Indigenous youth baseball players from across the Southwest and other regions gathered at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., for the four-day Na7ive Na7ions 16U National Baseball Tournament, according to Native News Online. Eleven teams are competing for a national title and a berth in the Babe Ruth World Series. The event also brings together families, tribal leaders, Native-owned businesses, artists and community organizations.

DJ Carrasco, founder and executive director of Na7ive Na7ions and a former Major League Baseball pitcher, said the tournament is about "representation, visibility, culture and creating opportunities that many Native youth have not had access to before." The organization also incorporates wellness and leadership development through its HomePlate initiative, and works to remove barriers for athletes from tribal and rural communities, according to Native News Online.

The Native Arts Program of the American Indian College Fund received a $2.4 million grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies to continue supporting tribal colleges and universities in developing Native arts curricula and offering community-based workshops. The Choin Cha Ha Poo Chew Chew Wha Von Nom: Beading Cultural Knowledge Together grant marks the program's fifth cycle and will provide three-year awards to up to six tribal colleges for curriculum development and up to 12 colleges for community grants.

Previous projects included seven Native arts courses developed at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota, and cultural preservation lessons at Iḷisaġvik College in Alaska. "Native arts programming, such as Beading Cultural Knowledge Together, is critical for uplifting the voices of our artists whose work combines wisdom and beauty as it helps to sustain our communities," American Indian College Fund President and CEO Cheryl Crazy Bull said.

Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Celeste Maloy's effort to overturn a 2025 management plan for Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument missed the deadline for expedited consideration under the Congressional Review Act, according to reporting from Utah News Dispatch. Lee and Maloy had proposed reversing the Biden-era plan for the 1.9 million-acre monument, arguing it imposed excessive restrictions. In a joint statement, the lawmakers said they are evaluating next steps and remain committed to "restoring our community's voice in the monument's future."

A coalition of Native American tribes said the proposal would have had "devastating effects for the monument and for our peoples." Autumn Gillard, coordinator for the Grand Staircase-Escalante Inter-Tribal Coalition who is Southern Paiute, said the current plan established a framework for tribal co-stewardship, and protects cultural sites vulnerable to looting and vandalism. Future legislation would likely require 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster, according to Utah News Dispatch.

The Tohono O’odham Nation has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over plans to construct a border wall on the tribe’s lands, according to reporting from ICT. The suit was filed June 16 as DHS prepares to award construction contracts in the coming weeks. Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon M. Jose said Wednesday at a National Congress of American Indians event in Memphis, Tenn., that Customs and Border Protection does not have legal authority to take or use reservation land without permission.

About 62 miles of the Tohono O’odham Nation’s land border Mexico, according to the ICT reporting. More than 3,000 enrolled members live in the tribe’s ancestral lands in the Mexican state of Sonora, according to the nation. The tribe said construction of a border wall on its reservation would be illegal but that they will continue to support border security. Jose said the nation spends millions of dollars annually on border security and supports protecting both tribal citizens and the United States.

A federal judge in South Carolina ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency unlawfully terminated the $2.8 billion Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program, according to reporting by Nevada Current. U.S. District Judge Richard Mark Gergel wrote that the agency’s decision was “arbitrary and capricious and unlawful” and violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The ruling could affect a $20 million EPA grant rescinded from the Walker River Paiute Tribe in Nevada. The funding was intended to support a multi-year climate resiliency plan serving about 1,200 tribal members on the Walker River Reservation.

The grant would have improved water, energy and food infrastructure, weatherized 150 homes and supported a community resilience and food storage hub, according to Nevada Current’s reporting. The judge did not order the EPA to restore the program, but wrote that affected recipients could pursue monetary claims in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. An EPA spokesperson said the agency is reviewing the decision.

The Delaware House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 365, which would establish the state’s first Commission on Indigenous Affairs, according to Spotlight Delaware. The commission would advise lawmakers and Gov. Matt Meyer on issues affecting Native communities, including healthcare, social services, housing, employment and education. The nine-member commission would include representatives from the Lenape Tribe of Delaware and the Nanticoke Indian Tribe, along with Indigenous residents from any tribe or nation living in the state.

Members would be appointed by Meyer from candidates recommended by the Lenape and Nanticoke tribes, according to the Spotlight Delaware reporting. House Bill 365 would provide $20,000 annually for three fiscal years to support startup and programming costs. The measure now awaits consideration in the Senate after advancing from the House on a unanimous vote.

A $25 million donation from William and Carolyn Franke and their family will create the Franke Medical Student Scholars Program at the University of Washington School of Medicine, according to ICT and Underscore Native News. The scholarship will help address physician shortages across Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. The program will provide scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to practicing medicine in Indigenous and rural communities.

Most of the donation — $20 million — will cover half of tuition for about 30 students, while additional funding will support recruitment, retention and rural medical education programs. UW School of Medicine student Ty Running Fisher, a citizen of the Blackfeet Nation and a descendant of the Quinault Indian Nation, said the scholarship will help encourage more physicians to serve communities facing long wait times and persistent healthcare shortages.