The Daily Spark
Small sparks from Indian Country, built to catch fire
Robert Redford, movie star and film visionary, dies at age 89
Robert Redford, actor and Oscar-winning director, died at age 89 on Tuesday morning at his home in Provo, Utah, according to reporting by NPR. He acted in more than 80 movies, including “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Sting,” “All the President’s Men” and “Jeremiah Johnson.” In 1981, he founded the Sundance Institute, which became a launching pad for independent film artists.
One such artist, Sterlin Harjo, a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and of Muskogee descent, created the award-winning TV series “Reservation Dogs” about four Indigenous teenagers growing up on a rural Oklahoma reservation. In a social media post, Harjo remembered Redford as a generous and inspiring man, saying “RIP Mr. Redford. My career and path as a young man was defined by his commitment to empower Native film and storytellers .… Journey Well.”
Hawaiian private school for Natives under scrutiny
Conservative activists are criticizing Kamehameha Schools, a private school in Hawaii, for giving admissions preference to Native Hawaiians, according to reporting by the Associated Press. A website was set up this month by Students for Fair Admissions with the goal of challenging Kamehameha’s admissions policy in court.
In 2024, more than 5,400 students enrolled across three Kamehameha campuses on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. The school is known for providing affordable tuition and education on Hawaiian values.
Trump OKs federal relief for flood-ravaged reservation
The White House has approved half a million dollars toward disaster relief for the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate tribe in South Dakota, following heavy floods that occurred this summer.
According to reporting by South Dakota Public Broadcasting, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he agreed to provide the $500,000 in relief funding after a phone call with Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
In June, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate saw heavy flooding on the Lake Traverse Reservation, which FEMA teams investigated the following month. The approval means affected property owners can apply for federal relief for repairs and temporary housing. People are encouraged to first contact their insurance companies before applying for aid.
Colorado grants Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes free access to state parks
Members of Colorado’s Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian tribes now have free access to all 43 state parks following the enactment of House Bill 1163. The law, effective August 5, waives state park fees for tribal members who present a valid tribal photo ID card. State Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango, one of the bill's sponsors, described the measure as “the first step in an ongoing process by the state to honor the commitment and uphold the ancestral land reconnection for the oldest continuous residents of our state.”
The bill also mandates that Colorado Parks and Wildlife engage with other tribal nations and explore expanding access to additional Indigenous communities. Reports on these outreach efforts are due to legislators in January 2026 and 2027, according to SkyHi News.
Coast Salish weavers collaborate on Seattle Sounders Salish Sea jersey
Coast Salish weavers Gail White Eagle of the Muckleshoot Tribe, Danielle Morsette of the Suquamish Tribe, and Connie McCloud of the Puyallup Tribe helped design the Seattle Sounders’ new Salish Sea Kit, which includes a jersey, shorts, socks, and a scarf, according to Underscore + ICT. The design incorporates traditional Coast Salish weaving patterns, colors, and symbols, including a wave, orca tail, and the phrase “x̌ax̌aʔ ti qʷuʔ” in Lushootseed and English, meaning “water is sacred.”
The weavers guided the design process, sending instructional videos to Adidas to ensure their techniques, including twilling and twining, were represented. The league donated the first $50,000 from jersey sales to local Native nonprofit organizations. White Eagle and Morsette said the project honors their culture, teaches traditional practices, and allows their communities to see meaningful Coast Salish representation in professional sports.
Trump approves federal disaster aid for six states and tribes
President Donald Trump has approved federal disaster aid for Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and for tribes in Montana and South Dakota following storms and flooding this spring and summer, according to the Associated Press. The disaster declarations will allow federal funding to help residents, local governments and nonprofits recover from damage caused by the storms.
Trump’s approval came weeks to months after some requests, continuing a trend over time of longer waits for disaster relief regardless of the political party in power. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the administration is conducting “a more thorough review of disaster declaration requests than any Administration has before him” to ensure federal tax dollars are spent wisely. Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers noted the delays have left some residents waiting for assistance to repair homes and recover from August flooding.
Ioway tribe honors elder with traditional corn harvest
Members of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska harvested corn in early September at the Irogre Memorial Garden in White Cloud, Kansas, according to ICT. The garden was planted this spring in memory of Lance Irogre Foster, a longtime tribal historic preservation officer who died in January.
The harvest used the traditional three sisters method, planting corn, beans and squash together, and involved hand-picking, shucking and blanching the corn to preserve it for future tribal feasts. Shelby Merry, a tribal member, said the effort to avoid machinery helped participants reconnect with their ancestors and the land. Elder Reuben Ironhorse-Kent said the harvest also teaches the tribe traditional food practices and the medicinal value of homegrown foods.
North Dakota releases updated tribal textbook for first time in 20 years
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction has released Journey to Understanding, the first updated edition in over two decades of a textbook on the five Native nations that share land with North Dakota, according to North Dakota Monitor. The text introduces students to tribal history, culture, sovereignty and federal policies. A digital version is already on the University of North Dakota’s Scholarly Commons site, and thousands of free print copies will be sent to K-12 schools statewide.
Over the next several months, the agency will publish updated tribe-specific books and a first-ever textbook on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. Tribal colleges, Native organizations and higher education institutions helped develop the series, and tribes had full editorial oversight.
North Dakota Monitor
Shoshone-Paiute sign profit-sharing deal with Canadian gold company
The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation have entered a profit-sharing agreement with Integra Resources, a Canadian mining company, to jointly develop a gold and silver mine on their homelands in southwestern Idaho, according to Grist. The legally binding deal includes revenue sharing, oversight by the tribe and commitments to support economic development and language revitalization efforts during the mine’s operation.
Vice Chairman Arnold Thomas told Grist revenue from the project will help fund a tribal health care system and language programs. Consultant Maranda Compton called the deal “the new standard” for how companies and tribes can work together under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Chaco Canyon advocacy takes flight as Pueblo leaders head to D.C.
Pojoaque Pueblo Gov. Jenelle Roybal joined a Sept. 14 flight over Chaco Culture National Historical Park, where she said oil and gas development threatens sacred sites. “That land was really torn up — it’s just roads everywhere, that land’s never going to go back to the way it was,” Roybal was quoted in Source NM as saying. The flight, organized by LightHawk and the Native Land Institute, marked the start of a week of advocacy as at least 10 Pueblo governors prepare to meet with Congress in Washington, D.C.
In April, members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation reintroduced legislation to permanently ban oil and gas development within 10 miles of Chaco. A competing Republican-backed bill and the Trump administration’s vow to “unleash” energy development threaten that effort, according to the delegation’s June letter. Roybal said protecting Chaco is essential for sovereignty and maintaining sacred connections to the land.
Northern Cheyenne leadership dispute heads into council meeting
The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council was scheduled to meet today, Sept. 15, after voting Sept. 11 to remove President Gene Small, according to Montana Free Press. Council member Melissa Fisher brought forward a complaint alleging constitutional violations, misuse of funds and ethics breaches.
President Small has rejected the removal vote, saying in a Sept. 12 video statement, “I am still your president.” Traditional leaders have called on members of the legislative branch, the tribal secretary and treasurer to step down, while the Bureau of Indian Affairs said it recognizes both the council and the president as part of the governing body. As of Sept. 12, Montana Free Press reported it remained unclear which entity has final authority.
Bismarck hosts Project Service Connect for people experiencing homelessness
Bismarck’s Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People is hosting Project Service Connect on Wednesday, September 17, 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Dream Center, 1805 Park Ave, Bismarck, North Dakota, according to a coalition announcement. The free event will connect individuals and families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness with essential services and resources from more than 25 local organizations.
Guests can receive free clothing, supplies and haircuts, as well as participate in a children’s book reading and join a community art event. No registration or personal information is required. “Project Service Connect is about dignity, compassion, and connection,” the coalition said in a press release. The event is part of MVCHP’s ongoing effort to provide safe, stable housing and support to people in the Bismarck-Mandan area.
- Missouri Valley Coalition for Homeless People
Fort Smith police, Choctaw Nation sign first cross-deputization pact in Arkansas
The Fort Smith Police Department and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma signed a cross-deputization agreement Sept. 5, marking the first tribal law enforcement agreement in Arkansas, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The memorandum of understanding establishes mutual aid and cross-jurisdictional cooperation between the Fort Smith Police Department and the Choctaw Nation’s Lighthorse Police.
The agreement allows officers from both agencies to respond to violations of the law, assist with arrests, investigations and detentions and provide emergency support when needed. Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said in a social media post the agreement strengthens public safety and builds “a framework of mutual respect and trust for the future.”
Department of Education ends funding to several MSI grant programs
The U.S. Department of Education announced Sept. 10 that it will end discretionary funding to several Minority-Serving Institutions grant programs, citing unconstitutional racial quotas. The decision follows a July determination by the U.S. Solicitor General that Hispanic-Serving Institutions programs violate the equal-protection component of the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
According to the Department of Education, about $350 million in fiscal year 2025 discretionary funds will be reallocated to programs that do not have racial or ethnic quotas. Programs affected include Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions and Strengthening Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions.
Pechanga executive highlights collaboration among California tribes
Pechanga Resort Casino President Sean Vasquez said California tribes are balancing competition with cooperation as they defend their role as the state’s only sanctioned gaming operators, according to SBC Americas. Vasquez said tribes may compete for customers on weekends but stand together in Sacramento to oppose commercial gaming. He credited organizations such as the California Nations Indian Gaming Association and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations with creating alliances that benefit all tribes.
Vasquez also described California tribal gaming as a spectrum, from billion-dollar operations such as Pechanga, San Manuel and Morongo to smaller rural casinos. He said partnerships, including Pechanga’s rewards program with The Venetian in Las Vegas, strengthen sovereignty and help tribes secure long-term economic stability.
Northwestern Band reclaims Bear River Massacre site
The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation is restoring the site of the 1863 Bear River Massacre with the goal of reviving the land’s natural ecosystem, according to Utah News Dispatch. Tribal leaders say the effort could also benefit the Great Salt Lake by sending more water downstream through habitat restoration.
Vice Chairman Brad Parry told more than 140 people at an Aug. 27 forum in Ogden, Utah, that the project aims to return the land to a state their ancestors would recognize. Since purchasing 350 acres around the site in 2018, the tribe has secured about $13 million in funding for the Wuda Ogwa restoration project. Volunteers and partners have planted about 69,000 native plants, with another 130,000 planned. Parry said the project is also a way to heal from the massacre, calling the site “our Arlington Cemetery.”
Judge rejects pause of Greenpeace lawsuit in Netherlands
A North Dakota judge has denied a request from Energy Transfer, the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, to halt a lawsuit Greenpeace International filed against it in the Netherlands, according to the North Dakota Monitor. Southwest Judicial District Judge James Gion wrote that while the two cases overlap in subject matter, the legal claims are different, meaning the Dutch case is not an attempt to relitigate the North Dakota lawsuit.
Energy Transfer had asked Gion to order Greenpeace to pause its overseas litigation, arguing it threatened to undermine a North Dakota jury’s finding against Greenpeace earlier this year. In March, a Morton County jury found the environmental group liable for more than $660 million. Greenpeace denies the allegations and has requested that Gion overturn the verdict or reduce the award. Gion has not yet entered a judgment but said he expects to rule within the next week.
New York settles with Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
New York State has reached a settlement with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe that restores nearly 15,000 acres of land, according to NBC5. The agreement, announced Sept. 5 by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office, returns 9,800 acres in Franklin County and 4,800 acres in St. Lawrence County to the tribe. It also requires the New York Power Authority to give $2 million annually for 35 years and provides tuition assistance for tribal members attending SUNY institutions and community colleges.
The dispute dates to 1983. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council called the settlement “not perfect,” saying it does not restore all Mohawk lands historically lost but offers opportunities to acquire lands, remove property taxes and support students. Lawmakers including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Assemblyman Billy Jones and state Sen. Dan Stec praised the deal. Rep. Elise Stefanik called it a significant milestone while criticizing delays. The settlement requires congressional approval before it becomes final.
Ninth Circuit affirms Kuskokwim subsistence protections
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a federal injunction blocking the State of Alaska from overriding subsistence fishing protections on the Kuskokwim River, according to a press statement by the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. The decision rejected Alaska’s challenge to the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and confirmed that the Katie John precedents remain intact despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sturgeon.
The ruling affirms that federal law requires a subsistence preference for rural residents when fish populations need conservation. In 2021 and 2022, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued emergency orders opening the river to all fishing, which the court found unlawful. “Our Fish Commission is very pleased to see this court ruling in favor of the people of the Kuskokwim River,” said KRITFC Chair Martin Andrew.