The Daily Spark

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 The ruling could affect a $20 million EPA grant rescinded from the Walker River Paiute Tribe in Nevada.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.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Native artists, scholars and leaders are reflecting on a history marked by displacement, assimilation policies and tribal resilience. According to The Associated Press, museum exhibits featuring Lakota beadwork, Navajo weavings and contemporary Indigenous art are offering perspectives on how Native communities navigated changing political and cultural realities while preserving their identities.

Tribal scholars and cultural leaders said Native experiences remain central to understanding the nation's history. Aaron Carapella, who creates maps of Indigenous territories and is of Cherokee descent, said Native influences are embedded in "the fabric of what we call America." The Associated Press reported that exhibits at institutions including the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian also highlight military service, sovereignty and efforts to ensure Native youth continue sharing their cultures and histories.

All nine South Dakota tribes have passed resolutions supporting the development of legislation that would return federal lands in the Black Hills to the Great Sioux Nation, according to information released by organizers of the effort. Native Sun News reports that the proposal would establish a framework for returning and managing federal lands in the Black Hills. Organizers said it would not involve privately owned property or settle claims related to the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty.

Supporters said the proposal seeks to protect sacred sites, preserve clean drinking water and prevent extractive activities in the region. "The Oceti Sakowin people are coming together to claim the land that is rightfully and legally owed to us," Madonna Thunder Hawk, a Cheyenne River Sioux elder, was quoted as saying. NDN Collective President Wizipan Garriott, a citizen of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, called the unified action by all nine tribes "historic" and said it marks "a significant milestone" toward improved land management and economic opportunity.

Descendants of Wounded Knee survivors say they will continue pressing to revoke Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers present at the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, despite the Defense Department's decision to uphold them, according to reporting from South Dakota Searchlight. The Senate Armed Services Committee directed the secretary of defense to provide the full report and unredacted materials from the Defense Department's review by Feb. 1, 2027.  The committee said that stakeholders raised concerns about the historical sources, experts and legal standards considered during the review.

"We are not going to quit," Violet Catches, a Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe member and descendant of massacre survivors, was quoted as saying. Rosebud Sioux Tribe member OJ Semans said he plans to continue educating lawmakers about the massacre.

A nationwide survey of more than 3,800 people who gave birth in 2023 and 2024 found that Medicaid patients reported worse outcomes and greater barriers to care than those with private insurance, according to reporting from Stateline.  On the Listening to Mothers survey by the National Partnership for Women and Families, 25% of respondents said they were unable to receive prenatal care as early as they wanted, often because appointments were unavailable, providers delayed scheduling or they struggled to find clinics accepting Medicaid.

The survey also found that 43% of respondents said they received worse care because they felt their knowledge and experiences were not valued, while 40% said they felt unheard by providers. About 6% said discrimination contributed to those experiences, with race cited most often. According to the Stateline reporting, American Indian and Alaska Native respondents to the survey were the most likely to report a lack of respect for their culture.

Native American faiths would be grouped under "other" after the Department of Defense reduced its list of recognized religion codes from more than 200 to 31, according to reporting from ICT News.

The U.S. Department of Defense made the change after a memorandum was issued by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge A. Colby and signed by Anthony Tata on May 20. Native American religion, previously listed as a distinct category used by military chaplains and for identification records, was among the faiths removed and grouped under "other."

A Department of Defense spokesperson directed ICT to a statement posted on the department's X account, which said service members "will not be limited to the list of 'Religious Affiliations Codes'" when selecting information for identification tags. Frances Dupris, a Sicangu Lakota and Northern Arapaho veteran who served 24 years in the Air Force, said the change places Native Americans "once again" in the "other" category.

Indigenous communities in World Cup host cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States are participating in events surrounding the tournament through performances, markets and cultural programming, according to reporting from ICT. The World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19, is being held in 16 cities across North America. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is serving as an official host-city supporter in Seattle and plans to host a Coastal Protocol on June 18 featuring traditional songs and dances from invited tribes.

According to ICT, Indigenous vendors and artists are also taking part in celebrations in Toronto and Vancouver. The Tkaronto Market in Toronto will feature Indigenous businesses and performances during the tournament, while Vancouver's National Indigenous celebrations include appearances by artists such as Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Crystal Shawanda, Elisapie and Blue Moon Marquee.

The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians is partnering with OATI to manage a two-site solar and battery microgrid system designed to strengthen energy reliability and support tribal energy independence in Northern California, according to a June 16 announcement from OATI.

The project includes 4.5 megawatts of solar generation and 21 megawatt-hours of battery storage. According to the announcement, the microgrids are designed to provide renewable power, reduce peak energy demand and allow the tribal community to operate independently from the local utility grid during outages. The project, which broke ground in 2024, is supported by state and federal grants. Tribal leaders said the project is intended to support the development of an independent tribal-owned utility.

The United States is facing a shortage of Bicillin L-A, the only first-line medication recommended for pregnant women with syphilis to prevent transmission to their babies. According to reporting from Source NM, in South Dakota, nearly 90% of congenital syphilis cases reported between 2020 and 2023 involved Native American babies. 

The manufacturer, Pfizer, issued a voluntary recall of some lots of the injectable penicillin in July after finding particulate matter in certain batches. The FDA said supplies are not expected to return to normal until December 2027. The agency has allowed temporary imports of Lentocilin from Portugal.

Lack of sufficient treatment and timely testing contributes to 90% of congenital syphilis cases, according to a federal report. Indigenous infants have experienced the highest congenital syphilis rates in recent years, despite representing a much smaller share of the population. Congenital syphilis cases have more than tripled in recent years, with nearly 4,000 cases reported nationwide in 2024, according to the Source NM reporting. Health departments said they are prioritizing available supplies of Bicillin L-A for pregnant patients and newborns affected by the infection.

Ten United Nations officials are urging Russia to immediately release Indigenous climate advocate Daria Egereva and her colleague, Natalia Leongardt, who have been jailed for six months on terrorism charges. According to reporting from Grist, Egereva, who is Indigenous Selkup and co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change, and Leongardt were arrested Dec. 17 after previously participating in the Aborigen Forum, an Indigenous advocacy network dissolved by Russian authorities two years ago. The two could face prison sentences of up to 20 years at a court hearing in Moscow on June 11.

In a letter made public last week, the U.N. officials said they believe the arrests may be reprisals for participation in U.N. processes and warned of a broader chilling effect on Indigenous advocacy. More than 100 organizations called for the women's release during April's U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City, according to reporting from Grist. The International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change also voted to extend Egereva's term as co-chair until her release.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon have received federal approval to expand access to FBI-maintained criminal history record information for background checks, according to a June 15 statement from the Department of Justice. The approval allows the tribe's Department of Education and Department of Children & Family Services to conduct background checks on employees, contractors and volunteers.

The approval marks the first time a tribally enacted law has met federal requirements to allow tribal governments to establish their own legal authorities for accessing criminal history information. The department said the change will support hiring processes and public safety efforts. CTUIR Board of Trustees Chair N. Kathryn Brigham said the expanded access will allow more thorough background checks and help create safer conditions for people, particularly children, who use tribal services.

The Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post in Onamia will mark the 30th anniversary in its current building during a public celebration Saturday. According to reporting from MPR News, the museum was established through a partnership between the Minnesota Historical Society and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and features exhibits that highlight both the history and contemporary life of the tribal nation.

Longtime site manager Travis Zimmerman told MPR News that the building was designed with recommendations from a Native American advisory council and incorporates circular movement throughout its exhibits and architecture. Zimmerman estimated the museum welcomes about 10,000 visitors each year. The anniversary event will include walking tours, art demonstrations and behind-the-scenes collection tours. Mille Lacs Band member Benji Sam is among the artists scheduled to participate.

Subsistence fishing advocates are considering legal action after Alaska Acting Attorney General Cori Mills invalidated restrictions adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries to reduce commercial salmon harvests in the Aleutian Islands. According to reporting from the Northern Journal, the regulations would have shortened fishing time, reduced harvest opportunities and expanded restrictions in an effort to protect salmon bound for Western Alaska spawning streams.

The restrictions were approved by the Board of Fisheries in February after years of advocacy from subsistence fishermen and tribal leaders concerned about declining salmon runs. Mills rejected most of the measures on May 19, ruling that the board's vote was improper following ethics complaints involving several board members. According to the Northern Journal reporting, the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association is considering an appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court and a separate lawsuit to restore the regulations.

A San Francisco Superior Court judge has temporarily blocked regulations from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Bureau of Gambling Control that would have banned blackjack-style games at cardrooms across the state. According to reporting from CalMatters, Judge Richard Darwin issued a preliminary injunction last month after finding Bonta’s office likely exceeded its authority. The ruling remains in effect for 45 days, with the next court hearing scheduled for June 30.

The dispute centers on whether cardrooms are unlawfully offering games that California tribes argue violate their exclusive rights to operate house-banked casino games. According to the  CalMatters reporting, 27 casino-owning tribes have donated at least $15.8 million to current state lawmakers, while 26 cardrooms and affiliated companies have contributed at least $2.8 million. The legal fight follows a separate setback for tribes in October, when a Sacramento judge dismissed a lawsuit against cardrooms brought under a 2024 state law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

As the 126th U.S. Open returns to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18-21, the tournament is also highlighting the longstanding connection between the course and the Shinnecock Nation. According to reporting from ICT, Shinnecock golfer Oscar Smith Bunn became the first Native American to compete in the U.S. Open when the tournament was held at the course in 1896.

Generations of Shinnecock citizens have worked and played at Shinnecock Hills, including Elmer Smith, who served as the club’s first full-time superintendent of grounds from 1955 until his death in 1980. Today, the Shinnecock Golfers Association continues to support Native youth through scholarships, while members of the Smith family remain involved in preparing the course for major tournaments, according to the ICT reporting.

American Prairie and several conservation organizations have appealed a federal decision to terminate bison grazing permits on Bureau of Land Management lands in Montana, according to reporting from the Daily Montanan. The appeals challenge a May decision by the BLM to cancel seven grazing permits held by American Prairie and require the removal of its bison herds from federal land by September.

According to the Daily Montanan reporting, American Prairie argues the decision could affect tribal food sovereignty programs that receive bison from its herd. The organization states it has provided 645 bison to entities in eight states and Washington, D.C., including nine tribal nations. The Coalition of Large Tribes, representing more than 50 tribes, previously protested the proposed decision, arguing the agency's interpretation of livestock eligibility could make it difficult for tribal governments and tribal citizens to obtain BLM grazing leases for bison herds. American Prairie also suspended its annual bison harvest program, which would have offered 17 public hunting permits this year.