The Daily Spark

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.

The Navajo Nation's Naabik’íyáti’ Committee approved legislation designating the Navajo Nation as a "Purple Heart Navajo Nation," recognizing Navajo veterans who were wounded or killed in combat and honoring Purple Heart recipients for their military service, according to reporting by Native News Online. The measure recognizes both living and deceased recipients and highlights the military service of Diné men and women in major American conflicts, including World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Era, the Gulf War and ongoing military operations.

Council Delegate Otto Tso sponsored the legislation, which passed on a unanimous 15-0 consent agenda vote. The legislation also acknowledges the ongoing needs of living Purple Heart recipients, including access to health care, mental health services and veterans benefits, according to the Native News Online reporting. The committee's approval officially establishes the Navajo Nation as a "Purple Heart Navajo Nation" in recognition of the service and sacrifices of Navajo veterans.

Mayor Lisa Brown and the Spokane City Council have introduced legislation to establish the Spokane Urban Native Advisory Council, a formal advisory body that would provide recommendations on policies, programs and initiatives affecting Spokane's urban Native population, according to a city announcement. The proposed council would include up to 12 voting members representing sectors including health, human services, economic development, education and civic engagement.

According to the announcement, the council would advise the mayor, City Council and city staff on issues such as health, housing, safety and community well-being. The proposal also states the council would help guide the city in honoring trust and treaty responsibilities and strengthening relationships with Native communities. Brown announced nominations for 10 founding members, including representatives from The NATIVE Project, Spokane Public Schools, Salish School of Spokane, Indigenous Eats, Sister Sky and Yoyot Sp’q’n’i. If approved, the council would join Spokane's existing boards and commissions, with members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council.

The American Indigenous Tourism Association is accepting nominations for its Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards, which recognize leadership, innovation, customer service and cultural stewardship across Native Nations and communities, according to the association. Award categories include Indigenous Destination of the Year, Best Cultural Heritage Experience, Industry Professional of the Year and Indigenous Artisan of the Year, among others. 

According to the association, award recipients will be recognized during the American Indigenous Tourism Conference, with the awards gala scheduled for Oct. 21 at Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip, Washington. The association states that Indigenous-owned tourism businesses contribute $11.6 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Nominations are open through July 17 and may be submitted for individuals, businesses, organizations and destinations that support Indigenous tourism, cultural preservation and visitor experiences.

North Dakota will receive about $28 million from the federal government under a settlement resolving a lawsuit over costs tied to the 2016 and 2017 Dakota Access Pipeline protests, according to reporting from the North Dakota Monitor. The settlement matches the amount awarded to the state in 2025 by U.S. District Judge Dan Traynor. The lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleged the federal government contributed to the growth of the protests by allowing demonstrators to camp on federal land.

Attorney General Drew Wrigley said the agreement ends nearly seven years of litigation and covers about $7.5 million in legal fees incurred by the state. The U.S. Department of Justice issued a statement acknowledging the federal government "could have done more to reduce the impacts to the people of North Dakota" during the protests, while continuing to dispute Traynor's legal findings. During the trial, Indigenous activist Winona LaDuke testified that cleanup costs could have been reduced if demonstrators had been given more time to clear the camps. Wrigley said the settlement funds will be used to pay off a loan from the Bank of North Dakota.

People gathered in Mandaree, North Dakota, for a community event focused on faith, sobriety and recovery, according to reporting by KX News. The program, known as Pathways to Health and Wellness, included a horse ride from New Town to Mandaree organized by Pastor Don McKenzie.

After arriving in Mandaree, participants heard from faith leaders and people in recovery who shared their experiences with drug and alcohol addiction. One participant, Lavina Miller of Fort Berthold Recovery, spoke about her past struggles with substance use, including fentanyl addiction. According to KX News reporting, speakers were presented with blankets during the event.

MHA Chairman Mark Fox and members of the Tribal Business Council also addressed attendees about the effects of drug and alcohol abuse on families across the reservation. McKenzie said the event's message focused on supporting people who are struggling and offering help when needed.

Bailey Skenandore, a citizen of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, has built Sweetgrass Salon in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward as a space where clients can express themselves through their hair while honoring its cultural significance, according to reporting by ICT. Skenandore said in an interview that hair is closely tied to identity and that creating a supportive environment for clients is central to her work. She noted that for some Indigenous people, hair can carry spiritual meaning and may be cut during periods of mourning or hardship.

Skenandore opened Sweetgrass Salon after spending eight years working under another salon owner. She told ICT that launching her own business gave her the freedom to create a space that reflected her vision. According to data cited by ICT from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, Native-owned businesses have increased in recent decades.

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition will hold the final stop of its Oral History Project in Tulsa from June 22-26, according to reporting by KOSU. The project documents the experiences of living survivors of federally supported Indian boarding schools and aims to preserve those stories for future generations. Interviews collected through the project will be permanently housed by the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian American History Museum and are expected to be released in early 2027.

Only people who attended a federally supported Indian boarding school in the United States before 1970 are eligible to participate. Charlee Brissette, co-director of the project and a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, told KOSU that about 25 interview slots remain available. KOSU reported that participants receive support throughout the interview process, including access to Indigenous mental health professionals, and retain the rights to their interviews and portraits.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the 2022 death of Logan Warrior Goings on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, according to statements made by investigators to Dakota News Now.

Logan was 6 years old when he was killed after a gun was fired into a residence in May 2022. FBI Special Agent Matthew Vogel said the investigation remains active and authorities continue to seek information from the public. 

Logan's grandmother, Holly Wilson, told Dakota News Now that the family is still seeking answers. According to Wilson, the family has not yet held a memorial dinner and continues to wait for justice in the case. The FBI said it will continue investigating the killing and encouraged anyone with information to contact authorities or submit a tip through its online reporting system. Vogel noted that tips can be submitted anonymously.

An estimated 1,800 dancers from Indigenous communities across Alaska, the Great Plains and the Hawaiian Islands gathered in Juneau on June 3 for the opening of Celebration, a biennial festival honoring Southeast Alaska Indigenous cultures, according to reporting by the Alaska Beacon. The Grand Entrance drew thousands of dancers, families and supporters and featured 34 dance groups singing, drumming and dancing through downtown Juneau and into Centennial Hall.

Celebration began in 1982 as a dance and culture festival recognizing Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures, according to the Sealaska Heritage Institute, which organizes the event. This year's theme, "enduring strength," highlights the resilience of Indigenous communities. The four-day gathering includes traditional song and dance performances, Native language activities, food, art, classes, a toddler regalia review and an Indigenous fashion show.

A state administrative law judge has ruled that a rural electric cooperative cannot disconnect power to the Upper Sioux Community’s casino in western Minnesota while a dispute over the tribe’s solar energy project continues, according to reporting from MPR News. The ruling follows a nearly two-year conflict between the Upper Sioux Community and its electric cooperative over the tribe’s 2.5-megawatt solar array. The cooperative had threatened to cut power if the tribe activated the system.

According to the MPR News reporting, the decision could have broader implications for how rural electric cooperatives in Minnesota handle customers who generate their own electricity. The dispute centers on whether the Upper Sioux Community can use electricity produced by its solar array to reduce the amount of power it purchases from the cooperative. The case remains before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which is expected to make a final determination.

Native American adults reported higher rates of long COVID than the overall U.S. population, according to survey findings highlighted by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Long COVID refers to symptoms that persist for weeks or months after an initial COVID-19 infection.

The survey found that 40% of Native American and Alaska Natives respondents reported having long COVID, compared with 30% of U.S. adults overall. According to CIDRAP, the findings were based on data from the California Health Interview Survey from 2021-2023. Researchers said the results underscore disparities in the burden of long COVID among Native American communities.

The Bureau of Land Management is investigating vandalism at six Native American rock art sites in Wyoming's Bighorn Basin, according to a June 4 statement from the bureau. Officials said people scratched names and phrases onto and around petroglyphs, fired bullets at multiple sites and lit a bonfire beneath one rock art panel, causing discoloration, cracking and the loss of rock fragments, according to reporting by Wyoming Public Media. The sites are protected under the federal Archaeological Resources Protection Act.

The damage is considered irreversible, according to the Bureau of Land Management. “This intentional damage takes away future generations’ ability to view this part of our human history and to study these sites,” Karina Black, an archaeologist with the agency’s Cody Field Office, was quoted as saying. The Bureau of Land Management said the sites are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and is asking anyone with information about the vandalism to contact its Cody Field Office.