The Daily Spark
Small sparks from Indian Country, built to catch fire
Native entrepreneurs contribute to North Dakota business growth
Native American entrepreneurs are playing a growing role in North Dakota’s expanding small business economy, according to reporting by KFYR-TV. In an interview with the station, Lisa Young Bear, owner of The Fringe boutique in Bismarck, said Native-owned businesses benefit from strong community support as the Native population and entrepreneurial activity continue to grow.
Young Bear said Sacred Pipe Resource Center supported her business through workshops, counseling and technical assistance but challenges remain, including limited access to grants and resources and difficulties reaching customers beyond the Native community. Young Bear said Native customers make up most of her clientele and added that operating costs remain high. She said she plans to expand her e-commerce platform to reach a broader audience.
South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance gains funding to expand tribal tourism
The South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance has received a $175,000 J.M. Kaplan Innovation Prize to expand its efforts to connect visitors with tribally led tourism experiences across the state, according to South Dakota Searchlight. The nonprofit, formed in 2019, works with tribal nations to train tour guides, develop itineraries and build tourism infrastructure in Native communities.
Executive Director Rhea Waldman said the alliance aims to help meet visitor interest in Native experiences while ensuring tribes define how their stories are shared, according to South Dakota Searchlight. Board member Sarah Kills In Water said the funding will help strengthen partnerships with South Dakota’s nine tribal nations, which are spread across large geographic areas.
The unrestricted grant will also support travel and outreach that are difficult to cover through traditional funding, Waldman said. Alliance leaders said the award will expand the organization’s reach and support long-term growth of tribally driven tourism.
Tahltan Nation approves payments tied to Eskay Creek mine
Members of the Tahltan Nation voted earlier this month to approve an agreement with Skeena Resources to advance the Eskay Creek gold and silver mine in northwest British Columbia, according to Northern Journal. The deal includes an upfront payment of $7,250 to each Tahltan citizen and guarantees benefits valued at more than $1 billion over the life of the mine, largely through cash, contracts and wages, Tahltan officials said. More than 77% of voters supported the agreement, according to the Tahltan Central Government.
The mine is located above the Unuk River, which flows into Southeast Alaska near Ketchikan, raising concerns among some downstream residents and Alaska Native leaders, according to Northern Journal. Tahltan President Kerry Carlick said the agreement embeds the Nation in environmental governance. Critics within the community cited transparency and environmental risks tied to open-pit mining and waste storage. Payments are expected to be distributed in 2026.
Northern Cheyenne buffalo facility installs off-grid solar and storage system
A remote buffalo caretaking facility on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation near Ashland, Montana, has installed a fully off-grid solar and battery system to power its operations and replace a diesel generator, according to Solar Builder Magazine. The system includes 36 kilowatts of solar and 57.6 kilowatt-hours of battery storage, providing electricity to a culturally significant site with no grid access, according to the publication.
The project was developed and installed by Freedom Forever in collaboration with Indigenized Energy, a Native-led nonprofit focused on advancing tribal energy sovereignty. Solar Builder Magazine reported that Jinko Solar donated some of the equipment and materials used on the project.
The new system will allow the facility to expand operations and potentially double the size of its buffalo herd, according to Brandon Small, manager of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation buffalo facility. Small said the increased capacity could also allow the program to increase annual harvests donated back to the community.
Official search ends for missing elder in northeast Oregon
Umatilla Tribal Police: Wesley Dixon Jones case ‘functionally inactive’
Three months after his last known sighting, 71-year-old Wesley Dixon Jones remains missing. In a Jan. 6 press release, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation said its police force has “depleted all its leads” and will no longer conduct searches.
Between Oct. 6 and Dec. 3, searches involved the Jones family, Umatilla Tribal Police Department, FBI and the MMIW Search & Hope Alliance. Aerial and underwater drones, cadaver dogs and underwater AI/sonar devices complemented search efforts on foot and horseback.
UTPD Detective William Morris said investigators will continue to follow up on any new leads, and that he’s unaware of any searches planned by Jones’s family or organizations. If no further action can be taken, there’s a chance Jones could be designated a cold case.
“An open investigation and an active investigation are not exactly the same thing,” Morris was quoted as saying. “I can’t say the investigation is closed because we haven’t discovered the truth, so it’s open but functionally inactive.”
Jones is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 140 lbs. He has brown eyes and long black hair and was last seen wearing a black and red Tiger Scott jacket, black shirt, black sweatpants and boots. A relative said he had a Shakespeare fishing rod with him.
Morris encourages anyone with tips or new leads to call the UTPD at 541-278-0550.
Winter Jam powwow set for Jan. 24 in Bismarck
The Winter Jam Powwow is scheduled for Jan. 24, at the Bismarck Event Center’s main arena in Bismarck, North Dakota, according to event information released by Native Inc. Grand entries are set for 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
The event will feature a singing contest with prize money of $5,000 for first place, $4,000 for second place and $3,000 for third place. Dance competitions are planned across age groups and categories, including Golden Age, adult, teen and junior divisions, with prize amounts ranging from $100 to $300. The powwow will be emceed by Whitney Rencounter, with Rusty Gillette as arena director, Chaske LeBlanc as head judge and Frank Jamerson on sound, according to the event listing.
Craft and food vendor spaces are also available, with registration information provided through a QR code on the event flyer.
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe raises concerns over White Mesa uranium mill waste
The White Mesa Uranium Mill, owned and operated by Energy Fuels, is the last remaining uranium mill in the United States and processes uranium-bearing materials into yellowcake, according to IC Magazine. The magazine reports that mill tailings, or liquid radioactive byproduct, are stored on-site in impoundments and “carved into land sacred to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.”
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe has opposed the mill’s operations for two decades through coalition work, spiritual walks and protests. White Mesa Concerned Community and partner groups have called on Utah Gov. Spencer Cox “to assume responsibility and take action” on long-term radioactive waste disposal solutions. Tim Peterson, a director at the Grand Canyon Trust, was quoted as saying, “The White Mesa Mill is behaving as if it’s a low-level radioactive waste dump, and it should be regulated like one.”
Salish School of Spokane builds community of Salish speakers through immersion
Students at Salish School of Spokane are immersed daily in n̓səl̓xčin̓, also known as Colville-Okanagan Salish, learning academic subjects entirely in the language alongside teachers and family members, according to Underscore Native News and ICT. The pre-K through eighth grade school serves students ages 1 to 14 and requires parents and staff to participate in regular language classes.
The school was founded in 2009 by N̓ʔiy̓sítaʔtkʷ, also known as LaRae Wiley, a Sinixt citizen of the Colville Confederated Tribes, who now serves as an elder linguist. Her son, paˤłxʷ, also known as Graham Wiley-Camacho, is the lead elementary school teacher. He said the school’s goal is to restore intergenerational language transmission by creating Salish-speaking households.
All subjects, including math and science, are taught in Salish, and students begin each day with songs and drumming. Construction on a new campus is set to begin in February 2026.
Rural South Dakota school boosts attendance through culture and family engagement
Norris Elementary School, a small rural school near the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations, has raised its attendance rate to more than 90% after years of chronic absenteeism, according to South Dakota Searchlight. Three years ago, barely half of the students attended class regularly, a challenge common among schools serving Native American students, based on data from the South Dakota Department of Education.
Principal Brian Brown told South Dakota Searchlight that the improvement came from one-on-one engagement with students and families and the addition of Lakota language and cultural programming. Students begin each day with breakfast and Lakota songs, and Brown teaches Lakota studies weekly. If students miss roll call, Brown makes home visits to check in with families.
South Dakota Secretary of Education Joseph Graves told South Dakota Searchlight that culturally relevant lessons paired with strong school leadership are key factors in the school’s success.
Today marks two years since Spirit Lake citizen Jemini Posey went missing
Family and friends wear yellow, her favorite color
It’s been two years since Spirit Lake citizen Jemini Madeline Posey was reported missing. Family members say after leaving a doctor's appointment on Jan. 5, 2024, she visited her boyfriend, D’Angelo Hunt. She hasn’t been seen since.
In December, Hunt was charged with the second-degree murder of his brother Isaac Hunt and the voluntary manslaughter of “J.M.P.,” initials that match those of Posey. Posey’s body has not been found.
On the second anniversary of her disappearance, her friends and family are wearing yellow shirts and ribbons and encouraging others to do the same.
“She loved sunflowers and yellow as she was the sunshine to so many that she was loved by,” Natasha Littlewind, MMIP advocate and a friend of Posey’s sister, Jade Frier-Posey, said in a Facebook post. “To honor her and take a stand against domestic violence as well as our missing and murdered relatives Yellow shirts or ribbons can be worn as we pray to bring her home.”
Klamath Indigenous Land Trust buys 10,000 acres along river
The Klamath Indigenous Land Trust has purchased 10,000 acres in and around the former reservoir reach of the Klamath River, according to the Mt. Shasta News. The acquisition comes as salmon return to the river’s headwaters for the first time in more than a century. Tribal representatives said the purchase is one of the largest private land acquisitions by an Indigenous-led land trust in U.S. history.
“Dam removal allowed the salmon to return home. Returning these lands to Indigenous care ensures that home will be a place where they can flourish and recover,” Molli Myers, president of the Land Trust’s board of directors, told the Mt. Shasta News. PacifiCorp, the previous landowner, partnered with the Land Trust to complete the sale. The Land Trust said it plans to develop land management plans with input from Klamath Basin Tribes that will address habitat recovery, cultural resource protection, fire management and public access.
Choctaw Nation partners with Rosetta Stone to preserve tribal language
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has partnered with Rosetta Stone to include Chahta anumpa on the education software platform, according to Oklahoma Voice. Tribal officials announced the partnership Dec. 16, saying the effort is intended to preserve the Choctaw language and expand access for tribal citizens as the number of fluent speakers has sharply declined, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said sharing the language ensures cultural continuity and strengthens identity for future generations. “Each word spoken is the core that strengthens our families and our culture, and secures our identity as the Chahta people,” Batton said in a statement, according to Oklahoma Voice. Chahta anumpa will be offered through Rosetta Stone’s Endangered Languages Program, which focuses on recording and teaching at-risk languages.
Human trafficking summit set for May in Bismarck
Tickets are now on sale for the 6th Annual 31:8 Project Human Trafficking Summit, scheduled for May 19–20, at St. Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck. The event will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions and panel discussions addressing sex and labor trafficking, sexual exploitation, survivor-centered care, investigative practices and prevention strategies.
Speakers include law enforcement officers, health care professionals, human service providers and survivors. Continuing education credits and hours will be available for professionals. Snacks will be provided.
The summit is open to the public, with an age requirement of 18 due to the sensitive subject matter. Organizers said the event is intended for medical professionals, educators, law enforcement, faith leaders, business staff, government officials and community members. The summit was previously known as the Bakken Human Trafficking Summit.
Oneida Nation apologizes, moves to cancel ICE contracts after backlash
Oneida Nation officials apologized and moved to cancel contracts between a tribal subsidiary and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after backlash from tribal members, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In a Jan. 2 video posted on social media, Oneida Chairman Tehassi Hill said he and the tribal council were unaware of the contracts until Dec. 29. “I was very upset when I learned about this,” Hill was quoted as saying, adding the business venture does not align with the nation’s values.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oneida-Stantec JV LLC was awarded a $2.6 million contract by ICE on Sept. 19 and a $3.7 million contract on Dec. 26 for engineering, technical and facility maintenance services. Jeff House, CEO of Oneida Engineering, Science and Construction Group, apologized for approving the agreements and called the decision a mistake. Hill said the Oneida Business Committee passed a resolution clarifying expectations that tribal businesses align with core values and removed the subsidiary’s board, appointing Debra Powless as interim manager.
Indigenous Tech Circle to host North America’s largest Indigenous tech conference in Vancouver
Indigenous Tech Circle will host North America’s largest Indigenous Tech Conference on Jan. 20 and 21 in Vancouver, British Columbia, according to an announcement by Indigenous Tech Circle. The conference will take place at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel and is expected to bring together more than 250 Indigenous founders, investors, technology professionals, corporate partners and government representatives from across North America.
Organizers said the two-day event will focus on scaling Indigenous-owned technology companies and strengthening investment pathways. Programming includes panels on data sovereignty and artificial intelligence, founder showcases and the announcement of finalists in the Indigenous Venture Challenge, which will award a $50,000 investment prize. Candice Loring, ITC board chair, said in the announcement that the conference is intended to build a strong and visible ecosystem grounded in Indigenous values. ITC CEO Ryan St. Germaine said the gathering will highlight Indigenous innovation as a growing force in the North American technology sector.
- Indigenous Tech Circle
Washoe nonprofit seeks Tahoe Basin land for cultural and spiritual center
A Washoe nonprofit is working to regain land in the Tahoe Basin to establish a cultural and spiritual center, according to Boise State Public Radio. The Washoe Warrior Society, a grassroots organization formed in 2009, aims to create a land trust to increase Washoe access to areas along Lake Tahoe’s shoreline.
Lisa Grayshield, executive director of the Washoe Warrior Society, said the organization’s efforts focus on restoring relationships between Indigenous people and the land. Grayshield said that when Indigenous people engage in traditional activities, the health of the land improves, benefiting both the Washoe people and the broader Lake Tahoe community. The Tahoe Basin spans parts of Nevada and California and holds cultural and spiritual significance for the Washoe people, according to the report.
Lawmakers introduce bill to expand and strengthen Shadow Wolves border unit
U.S. Reps. Juan Ciscomani of Arizona and Tom Suozzi of New York introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening the Shadow Wolves, an all-Native American tactical unit within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to AZ Free News. The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act would allow ICE to convert Shadow Wolves positions from the expected service to the competitive service hiring structure.
The Shadow Wolves operate primarily on the Tohono O’odham Nation and specialize in tracking drug smuggling and human trafficking across tribal lands along the U.S.-Mexico border. A 2024 Government Accountability Office report cited staffing shortages tied to retirements and recruiting challenges under the current hiring system. Supporters of the bill said the change would expand recruitment pools, improve retention and allow the program to grow to other border-adjacent tribal nations. A companion measure has advanced in the U.S. Senate, according to AZ Free News.
Sacred Pipe Resource Center to host New Year’s Eve sobriety celebration
Sacred Pipe Resource Center will host a New Year’s Eve sobriety celebration on Dec. 31 with a full evening of activities, according to event information shared by the organization. The family-friendly event begins at 6 p.m. and includes refreshments, door prizes, community games, casino-style games, a talent show and a grand prize drawing at 11 p.m.
The agenda also features a design-a-horse-mask contest, interactive games played by phone, cash prizes during casino games and the talent show. Organizers said prizes will be awarded throughout the night, with a PlayStation 5 listed as the grand prize. Participants must be present to win.
The event is described as a sobriety celebration focused on connection, culture and community. Activities for children are included. The celebration will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. at Sacred Pipe Resource Center.
Internship program gives Native students experience in municipal government
Gilbert, Arizona, is providing Native college students with hands-on experience in local government, according to Your Valley Independent. The Native American Management Internship program partners with tribal communities and Native students to offer exposure to municipal operations, including policy, public safety, community resources and administration.
Gilbert currently has two interns in the program: Erica Kleinman and Rose Starlin Jacket. Kleinman is a biology major at Northern Arizona University and a citizen of the Navajo Nation. Jacket is an English major at Arizona State University with tribal affiliations to the Navajo Nation, Hopi and Ute. Gilbert officials said the internship aims to strengthen relationships with tribal communities while preparing Native students for future leadership roles in government and public service.