The Daily Spark

Eastern Shoshone Business Council office closes amid leadership dispute

The Eastern Shoshone Business Council closed its offices Jan. 12 following a special general council meeting that led to a dispute over the body’s leadership, according to WyoFile. Closure notices posted on the office doors said the shutdown will remain in effect until actions from what was described as a “non-sanctioned” council meeting are resolved through tribal court.

According to WyoFile, notices and posts on the Eastern Shoshone Tribe’s Facebook page indicate all six members of the business council were removed by a vote of the general council during the meeting. The validity of the meeting and vote are now being challenged. An agenda shared ahead of the meeting listed as business items nepotism, mismanagement of the Shoshone Rose Casino & Hotel and the removal of all six current council members. The closure places all tribal finances and business operations on hold, according to the notice.

Criminal charges, lawsuits expand Arizona sober living fraud case

More than 100 people, several companies and at least one church have been charged in an expanding state and federal crackdown on fraudulent sober living homes in Arizona that targeted Native Americans, according to reporting by ICT. Arizona officials allege the scheme involved false promises of addiction treatment and improper billing of Medicaid, with losses reaching into the billions of dollars. In May 2025, state authorities charged an additional 20 people accused of stealing $60 million, according to ICT.

Katie Hobbs and Kris Mayes have described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis” and a failure of government oversight, ICT reported. Victims and families have filed multiple lawsuits, including a class-action case alleging negligence and misconduct by the state. Officials say investigations remain ongoing in Arizona and other states, according to ICT.

Interior releases strategic direction for Bureau of Indian Education

The Department of the Interior released a new strategic direction for the Bureau of Indian Education on Jan. 20, outlining a performance-driven plan to improve student outcomes, strengthen Native language and culture and enhance operations across Bureau-funded schools, according to an Interior press release. The plan emphasizes flexible, community-driven approaches and sets performance indicators through 2030. Interior officials said high school graduation rates at Bureau-funded schools increased from 51% in 2015 to 79% in 2025.

The strategic direction establishes goals across student success, cultural identity and wellness. Targets include raising graduation rates to 87%, improving annual academic growth in English and math by 5% and expanding college, career and military transition planning. It also calls for increased access to Native language instruction, stronger early childhood partnerships and reduced chronic absenteeism. Progress will be tracked through Bureau data systems, with schools reporting data to support accountability and transparency, according to the release.

Native physician warns ICE presence is harming community health

Native Americans in Minnesota are experiencing increased fear and anxiety amid a surge in federal immigration enforcement, according to reporting by MPR News. The outlet reported that it received several accounts of Native people being approached and, in some cases, detained by immigration agents in Minneapolis, though tribal leaders have not verified all claims. The situation reportedly has led to fewer clinic visits and heightened stress in Native communities.

Mary Owen, a physician at the Center for American Indian Resources, told MPR News that patients are avoiding medical care due to fear linked to the increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Owen said the anxiety echoes past crises that kept people isolated and has affected school attendance and overall well-being. She said access to cultural resources and community support remains critical during the current surge.

Miami Tribe of Oklahoma strengthens youth connection through traditional lacrosse

The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma has revitalized peekitahaminki, a traditional Myaamia form of lacrosse, as a central activity for youth development and cultural connection, according to ICT. Over the past two decades, the sport has become a regular feature at community gatherings, serving as both an athletic activity and a tool for language use and cultural learning.

According to ICT, tribal citizens including George Ironstrack helped reintroduce the game by adapting it for inclusive community play and emphasizing use of the Myaamia language during gameplay. The revitalization expanded in 2015 with a renewed focus on traditional Great Lakes–style wooden lacrosse sticks. In 2019, the tribe held its first game played entirely with wooden sticks in more than 200 years. Tribal leaders and educators said peekitahaminki provides youth with a welcoming space to build confidence, strengthen cultural identity and engage with their language and community.

Sioux Falls Police ask the public to help find missing 10-year-old boy

Joel Taken Alive was reported missing Jan. 22

The Sioux Falls Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 10-year-old boy who is believed to be endangered due to the extreme temperatures and his age. Joel Taken Alive, a Native boy, was last seen in the 700 block of South Regal Place, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in the early morning of Jan. 22.

Taken Alive was last seen wearing an orange shirt with red and white shoes. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sioux Falls Police Department at 605-367-7000.

Breckenridge History hosts Smithsonian exhibit on Native Americans

Breckenridge History is hosting the traveling Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian exhibit “Americans” through March 15, according to the Summit Daily. The exhibit examines how Native Americans are woven into the history, popular culture and identity of the United States. History Colorado selected Breckenridge History to host the exhibit through the Museum on Main Street program, a partnership that brings exhibitions to rural communities.

According to the Summit Daily, the exhibit previously appeared at the Trinidad History Museum and the Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center. After its stop in Breckenridge, it will travel to the Overland Trail Museum in Sterling and conclude at the White River Museum in Meeker. As part of the exhibit programming, Ute Mountain Ute tribal elder Mark Wing will give a public presentation on his life, Ute traditions and his perspectives on the exhibit on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Welcome Center Museum.

Indigenous films set for 2026 Sundance Film Festival

Several Indigenous films will screen at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, which runs Jan. 22 to Feb. 1 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, according to reporting by ICT. The festival will also offer a virtual program from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. Indigenous stories featured this year include works centered on repatriation, land and cultural survival.

Among the selected films is “Aanikoobijigan [ancestor/great-grandparent/great-grandchild]” by Ojibwe directors Adam Khalil and Zack Khalil, which follows Indigenous repatriation specialists working to return ancestors from museums and archives. Another film, “Kikuyu Land,” appears in the World Cinema Documentary Competition and examines land claims and family history in Kenya. Two Indigenous short films, “Mangittatuarjuk (The Gnawer of Rocks)” and “Tuktuit: Caribou,” are also included in the competition. According to ICT, the 2026 festival will honor founder Robert Redford while continuing to showcase Indigenous and independent storytelling.

​​Tribal-owned hotels in St. Paul temporarily close over safety concerns

Two downtown St. Paul hotels owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe temporarily closed Sunday, citing safety and security concerns, according to MPR News. The DoubleTree St. Paul Downtown and the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront suspended operations after the Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures Board of Directors voted to “temporarily suspend” hotel operations. Guests received letters Sunday morning notifying them their reservations were canceled.

According to MPR News, the two properties account for more than 600 rooms. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her said her office has been in contact with Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures to determine what support the city can provide and said the city supports steps taken to protect hotel workers during the closure. The decision follows public questions raised by some tribal members about whether federal law enforcement agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, had stayed at the hotels.

Tribal IDs remain accepted at airport security under new TSA program

Photo identification issued by federally recognized tribal nations will continue to be accepted at airport security checkpoints without additional fees, according to the Neshoba Democrat. The Transportation Security Administration is launching a new identity verification program, ConfirmID, on Feb. 1, which allows passengers without standard identification to pay a $45 fee to verify their identity and board flights.

The new program will not affect travelers who present tribal identification. In a Jan. 7 letter to tribal leaders, Ha Nguyen McNeill, senior official performing the duties of TSA administrator, said both standard and Enhanced Tribal Cards remain valid forms of identification at TSA checkpoints.

Police urged to address California MMIP crisis through training and coordination

Native and Indigenous organizers are urging California law enforcement agencies to better address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people by using available tools and building trust with Native communities, according to Bay City News. The call follows a Native- and Indigenous-led training conference held in Monterey in November that focused on coordination, trauma-informed practices and awareness of existing resources.

According to Bay City News, speakers and organizers said law enforcement participation was limited despite statewide need. Tara Grey of the Bakersfield American Indian Health Project and members of the Supporting Indigenous Communities Group highlighted tools such as the Feather Alert system and state and federal databases to improve responses to missing persons cases. Sand City Mayor Mary Ann Carbone, who helped organize the conference, said the effort aimed to connect law enforcement and communities while addressing gaps in awareness and coordination. Organizers said they plan to continue similar trainings to expand engagement and improve outcomes for Indigenous people impacted by violence.

Maine nears approval of tribal online gaming and casino play

Maine is nearing approval of legislation that would allow tribal online gaming and casino play, according to CU Independent. The proposal would authorize tribes to operate online gaming platforms and expand casino-style gaming, representing a change in the state’s gaming framework as the measure advances toward final approval.

According to CU Independent, the legislation is intended to create additional economic opportunities for tribal communities while expanding gaming options available to residents. The report said the move reflects growing use of online platforms within the gaming industry. Regulatory considerations, including compliance with state and federal law, remain part of the process as the legislation moves forward.

Gallup highlights Route 66 installations to support downtown economy

Gallup is promoting Route 66 installations and cultural sites in New Mexico to attract visitors and direct spending to downtown businesses and artisans, according to Prism News. McKinley County has emphasized heritage assets along the Route 66 corridor, including a Route 66 Monument unveiled at the George Galanis Multicultural Center, Prism News reported.

The corridor includes established destinations such as the El Rancho Hotel, along with museums, trading posts and cultural centers that feature Navajo and Zuni arts and community exhibitions. These sites serve as both cultural attractions and points of sale for local crafts, helping circulate visitor dollars to merchants and artisans, according to Prism News.

Mineral rights lawsuit between MHA Nation and North Dakota headed for trial

A federal lawsuit over mineral rights beneath the Missouri River on tribal land involving the MHA Nation and the state of North Dakota is headed for trial after a judge denied summary judgment requests from both sides, according to KFYR.

A U.S. District judge ordered the case to proceed after rejecting motions seeking a ruling without trial. The dispute centers on ownership of minerals beneath the Missouri River, with an estimated $100 million in potential unpaid royalties if drilling were to occur. The MHA Nation and the federal government argue the tribe holds mineral rights through a federal trust. North Dakota contends the state owns the rights and should control leasing, collection and development.

Federal opinions dating back to the 1930s are cited by the tribe in support of its claim. A 2020 federal ruling favored the state, but a 2022 decision by the Biden administration returned ownership to the tribes. A trial date has not been set.

Wisconsin tribes oppose proposal to repeal national forest roadless protections

Tribes in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region are opposing a Trump administration proposal to repeal long-standing protections for roadless areas on national forest land, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed repealing the federal “roadless rule,” which restricts logging and road construction on 44.7 million acres nationwide, including about 69,000 acres in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the rule is overly restrictive and that repealing it would allow logging and forest management to reduce wildfire risk.

Wisconsin Ojibwe leaders said the proposal moved forward without tribal consultation and threatens treaty-protected resources. St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin Chairman Conrad St. John said the rollback could open lands to logging and mining that benefit corporations. Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission said roadless areas support water quality, biodiversity and wild rice beds. Tribes across the Midwest have submitted formal opposition to the repeal, according to WPR.

Omaha Tribe seeks good-faith negotiations with Nebraska governor on tobacco

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska is seeking legislation that would require the Nebraska governor to negotiate a tobacco tax compact with the tribe in good faith and without using unrelated issues as leverage, according to ICT.

The tribe announced Legislative Bill 1037 during a Thursday press conference at the Nebraska State Capitol. John Cartier, attorney general for the Omaha Tribe, said negotiations with Gov. Jim Pillen’s office have stalled after state officials cited the tribe’s decision to legalize marijuana. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has also raised concerns tied to the tribal marijuana law, according to ICT.

Cartier said the proposed compact would allow the tribe to retain a portion of tobacco tax revenue generated on the reservation. He said the legislation would prevent the governor from using unrelated policy issues to influence negotiations. Pillen’s office did not respond to a request for comment from ICT, while a spokesperson for Hilgers said the proposal is under review.

Filmmaker Tracy Rector centers community care through Indigenous storytelling

Filmmaker and educator Tracy Rector has spent decades supporting Indigenous storytellers through film and community-based programs, according to ICT and Underscore Native News.

Rector is the founder and co-director of 4th World Media Lab, a yearlong fellowship that supports emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers through mentorship, training and industry access. She also helped launch Longhouse Media in 2005 to support Native youth filmmaking. Rector said her approach to storytelling is rooted in community care, cultural responsibility and what she calls narrative sovereignty.

In 2025, 4th World Media Lab marked its 10th anniversary as part of the Seattle International Film Festival, while Indigenous-made programming at the festival reached its 20th year. Rector said the fellowship prioritizes relationships, collaboration and support for filmmakers whose work is often marginalized.

Rector said her work is shaped by motherhood, activism and a commitment to ensuring Indigenous communities have the tools and agency to tell their own stories.

8-year-old girl missing on Navajo Nation found dead

An 8-year-old girl who went missing on tribal lands in northern Arizona was found dead Friday, according to the Associated Press.

Navajo Nation officials said Maleeka Boone was last seen Thursday evening in the Coalmine Canyon area, about 240 miles north of Phoenix. A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation said the agency is conducting the investigation with tribal police and declined to provide details about her death. A Navajo Police Department spokesperson said they did not have further information.

In a social media video, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren called Boone’s death devastating. “This tragedy weighs heavy on my heart,” Nygren said.

Her disappearance led to the issuance of a Turquoise Alert, an alert system for Native Americans who have gone missing, according to the Associated Press.

AIM patrols return to Minneapolis streets amid ICE presence

American Indian Movement patrols have returned to Minneapolis streets as federal immigration enforcement activity increases in the area, according to ICT.

AIM members and other Indigenous volunteers are patrolling along Franklin Avenue to help elders, youths and community members feel safe. Crow Bellecourt, executive director of the Indigenous Protector Movement, said the patrols now include close to 100 people and operate from morning into late evening. Bellecourt, whose father Clyde Bellecourt helped found AIM in 1968, described the return of patrols as “full circle.”

Heather Bruegl, an activist and historian with ties to AIM, said the patrols reflect the movement’s origins in monitoring policing practices and protecting community members. Mary LaGarde, executive director of the Minneapolis American Indian Center, said fear has increased among elders and families due to the federal law enforcement presence. Volunteers have arrived from across the region to support the patrols, according to ICT.

Mid-winter powwow opens Life and Dignity Week at University of Mary

Dancers in colorful regalia filled the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Sunday during a mid-winter powwow that marked the start of the university’s Life and Dignity Week, according to KFYR.

The University of Mary hosted the event alongside Bismarck State College and United Tribes Technical College. Dancers competed in traditional, grass, jingle, fancy and other categories.

“The powwow brings a lot of celebration and it’s an opportunity for not only our Indigenous people to come and dance and socialize, but also to share our culture,” Jessie Taken Alive-Rencounter, a dancer in the powwow, told KFRY.

According to Lucy Spooner, coordinator of mission for life at the University of Mary, more than 60 participants pre-registered for the event. Life and Dignity Week continues through Friday, according to the university.