The Daily Spark

Governor's staff error cuts $35 million in housing funds

Gov. Kelly Armstrong unintentionally vetoed $35 million allocated for housing programs in North Dakota due to a staff markup error, according to a Thursday statement from his office. The error occurred in Senate Bill 2014, which funds the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and removed $25 million for housing projects and $10 million for homelessness initiatives. Armstrong said he meant to veto a $150,000 grant for a Native American-focused homelessness liaison and that nearby language was mistakenly crossed out.

During a Thursday Industrial Commission meeting, Armstrong said he supports the Housing Incentive Fund and is consulting Legislative Council and lawmakers to avoid a special session. Legislative Council Director John Bjornson said a special session, which would cost about $65,000 per day, may be the only legal remedy. Lawmakers could also consider a new bill to restore funding.

Head Start marks 60 years of supporting families and children

The Administration for Children and Families is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Head Start program, which has provided early learning, health and nutrition, and family support to more than 40 million children and families since 1965. “I am committed to protecting the promise of Head Start,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., noting the program was created by his uncle.

According to Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison, the program continues to evolve to meet modern needs. Head Start currently reaches about 750,000 children annually, including many in rural and tribal communities. It also supports parents through job training, housing assistance and opportunities to shape the program through classroom volunteering and policy councils.

Traditional weaponry featured at Artesian Arts Festival

Chickasaw artist Gary Maytubby will showcase handcrafted traditional weapons at the 12th annual Artesian Arts Festival in Sulphur, Oklahoma, on June 7. Maytubby, a retired Chickasaw Telephone Company employee, draws on ancestral knowledge and family teachings to create war clubs, bows, arrows, knives and more using traditional methods and materials.

According to the Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office, Maytubby began learning weapon-making from his uncles at age 7 and returned to the art in retirement. He researches Chickasaw history to ensure authenticity in his work, including crafting arrows with flint-knapped “Chickasaw points” and river cane shafts. Maytubby will enter the festival’s juried competition with a war club and display a range of pieces for public viewing and purchase.

Federal pipeline provision dropped, opponents say

A win for state rights and local opposition

A coalition opposing a multi-state carbon dioxide pipeline said the U.S. House removed language from the budget reconciliation bill that would have allowed federal regulators to override state laws restricting pipeline approvals, according to reporting by South Dakota Searchlight.

South Dakota passed a law this year banning eminent domain for carbon pipelines. The $9 billion Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, which would transport ethanol-plant carbon emissions to a sequestration site in North Dakota, requires eminent domain and has faced two permit rejections from South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission.

Opponents remain concerned about a “fast-track” provision that would let pipeline operators pay $10 million for expedited federal environmental reviews, although that review is not required for the Summit pipeline, South Dakota Searchlight reported.

Drilling proposal near Pe’ Sla raises concerns among Oceti Sakowin tribes

A proposed graphite drilling project near Pe’ Sla in the Black Hills has prompted opposition from tribal leaders and Indigenous groups, according to reporting by ICT. Pete Lien & Sons, a Rapid City-based mining company, submitted a request to the U.S. Forest Service to conduct exploratory drilling about half a mile north of Pe’ Sla, a sacred site for the Oceti Sakowin. The project area lies on U.S. Forest Service land and is currently undergoing environmental review.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe formally opposed the project in a letter sent to the Forest Service May 16, citing cultural concerns and potential disruption to ceremonies held at the site. Pe’ Sla was placed into federal Indian trust status in 2016 following a land purchase by several Sioux tribes. The surrounding Black Hills region remains subject to mining claims and development proposals under Forest Service jurisdiction. Public comment on the project closed May 16.

Call for Native artists and host tribes for 2026 railroads forum in Sacramento

Organizers of the 2026 Railroads in Native America Forum are seeking Native American artists and tribal representatives to help shape the upcoming event in Sacramento. According to the Railroads in Native America Steering Committee, artists affiliated with a Native American tribe may submit original artwork to serve as the Forum’s visual identity. The submission deadline is May 31, 2025.

The committee is also inviting Native nations with homelands in the Sacramento area to act as “Host Tribes” by joining planning efforts, sharing community history and promoting the event. Host Tribes are not required to provide funding. Those interested in joining the steering committee may email rrnativeamerica@gmail.com.

Measles outbreak grows in North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed new measles cases, bringing the state’s total to 17. Of the 17 total cases, 13 are in Williams County and four are in Cass County. All individuals are unvaccinated, according to the department. Stay current on measles cases and exposure locations in North Dakota at hhs.nd.gov/measles.

Prayer gathering called for missing loved one Renzo Bullhead

A prayer gathering for Renzo Bullhead and his family will be held at 7 p.m. on May 21 at the Bismarck train bridge in North Dakota. Bullhead went missing from the bridge in March. Mothers are asked to bring medicines, rattles, drums and songs to join in prayer.

For those unable to attend, organizers encourage lighting sage or sweet grass and offering a prayer at 7 p.m. to unite the community in support.

Failures in missing person response raised after San Carlos Apache teen’s death

San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike, who went missing from a Mesa, Arizona, group home in January, was found murdered near Globe on Feb. 14, according to the Arizona Mirror. Her mother, Stephanie Dosela, learned of her daughter’s death after seeing photos of human remains on social media, highlighting communication failures among tribal, county and state agencies.

During a May 14 Arizona legislative hearing, officials and family members discussed gaps in sexual assault response, missing person protocols and jurisdictional challenges tied to tribal sovereignty. The San Carlos Apache Tribe is calling for improved information sharing and immediate missing child status for group home runaways. A new state law, dubbed “Emily’s Law,” creates a Turquoise Alert for missing Native people.

White Earth Tribal and Community College finalizes plans for Earth Summit 2025

White Earth Tribal and Community College is finalizing plans for Earth Summit 2025, set for May 28-29 on its campus, according to a May 19 report by Lakes Area Radio. The summit expands on the 2024 White Earth Water Summit blending of Ojibwe culture with contemporary science.

Speakers include Peg Furshong from CURE, who will discuss the impact of AI and cryptocurrency on water, and James Vukelich, Turtle Mountain Ojibwe author, who will talk about The Seven Grandfather Teachings and the relationship to Earth. Researchers from the University of Minnesota will present recent data on the White Earth Indian Reservation’s watersheds. The Nature Conservancy will highlight regional initiatives. Attendees can participate in Ojibwe lacrosse or “Yogachigede,” yoga with an Ojibwe twist.

National Indian Health Board hosting training to improve access to Medicare, Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace

The National Indian Health Board, in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, will hold an Indian Health Service, Tribal and Urban Indian program training June 3-4 in Rapid City, South Dakota. The training helps programs improve access to Medicare, Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace, according to an announcement by the National Indian Health Board. It is recommended for benefits coordinators, billing and coding professionals, business office staff and patient registration staff. Trainings are also scheduled for July 9-10 in Flagstaff, Arizona, with virtual options planned later. Questions can be directed to Kristen Bitsuie at kbitsuie@nihb.org.

VA partners with Televeda to expand suicide prevention for Indigenous veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded a contract to Televeda, a community engagement platform, to pilot and expand the Hero’s Story Project, according to a Business Wire release. The culturally tailored suicide prevention program targets American Indian and Alaska Native veterans in Arizona and New Mexico, focusing on rural frontier communities.

The program combines traditional healing practices like talking circles and storytelling with evidence-based peer support. Special attention will support women veterans and survivors of military sexual trauma. Televeda plans to formalize partnerships with tribal governments and veteran service organizations while expanding program evaluation to improve effectiveness.

“We are deeply grateful to the VA, our tribal and community partners, and the veterans who have helped shape this important work,” said Mayank Mishra, co-founder of Televeda. The project is part of the VA’s Mission Daybreak initiative.

North Dakota establishes aerospace medicine center at UND

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has signed House Bill 1612, establishing the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at the University of North Dakota. According to UND, the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will establish the center in partnership with its School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Student Health Services and University Counseling Center.

The center is mandated to support mental health and assist with Federal Aviation Administration medical certification for pilots and aviation professionals across the state. The legislation includes up to $250,000 in one-time funding. More than two dozen individuals, including UND administrators and industry experts, testified in support of the bill. UND officials say the center will expand access to specialized medical care and address barriers that discourage pilots from seeking mental health support.

Tribal IDs remain valid for airport security, TSA confirms

Tribal identification cards are still accepted by airport security officials under the new Real ID requirements, according to reporting by ICT. The federal rule took effect May 7 and requires travelers to present a Real ID or alternative form of identification to pass through security.

The tribal photo identification must be issued by a federally-recognized tribe. According to the TSA website, IDs that cannot be scanned will be checked manually and cross-referenced with the Federal Register, which matches the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ list of tribal entities.

Kristi Noem, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, told a congressional panel May 6 that those using tribal IDs may face an extra step or be diverted to a different line.

Tribal regalia protections expand ahead of 2025 graduations

More Native students will wear tribal regalia at their 2025 graduation ceremonies as 20 states now have laws protecting the right to cultural expression during commencements, according to reporting by ICT.

New Mexico became the latest state to adopt such protections with the passage of Senate Bill 163, signed March 19 by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The law prohibits schools from barring Native students from wearing traditional clothing, accessories or objects during graduation. It took effect immediately.

“This legislation represents our commitment to honoring and respecting the rich cultural heritage of New Mexico’s Native communities,” Grisham said at the signing.

Regalia bills are also pending in Wisconsin, and incidents of denied regalia in 2024 continue to prompt legal action and policy change across the U.S.

Native veterans to be honored at Memorial Day event in Washington

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) will host an event on Memorial Day to honor Native veterans. The event, Service and Sacrifice, takes place May 26 at the museum in Washington, D.C.

Attendees will hear from Native veterans, create prayer ties in remembrance of loved ones and witness a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Native American Veterans Memorial, according to the museum’s website. The museum will also feature “Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces,” an ongoing exhibition on Native military service. NMAI will livestream the event at AmericanIndian.si.edu/livestream for those unable to attend in person.

MMIP awareness walk honoring Renzo Bullhead planned in Bismarck

A Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) awareness walk honoring Renzo Bullhead will take place Saturday, May 31, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Bridge in Bismarck, according to Native, Inc. Community Development Corporation.The event is open to the public and invites community members to support Bullhead’s family and raise awareness for MMIP cases.

The schedule includes a ceremony and prayer with drum groups under the Bismarck side of the bridge at noon and a walk across the bridge at 12:30 p.m., followed by a second ceremony on the Mandan side at 1 p.m. A community feed will follow from 1:45 to 3 p.m. at Native, Inc., 2403 East Thayer Ave., Bismarck.

Recovery on the Plains event planned in Bismarck

The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation will host its 5th annual Recovery on the Plains event from May 22 to 24, at the Bismarck Event Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. Registration opens at 2 p.m. on May 22. The event features keynote speaker Chris Herren, a former NBA player who has been sober since 2008 and shares his story to raise awareness about addiction. Workshops, speakers and meals are included.

Speakers include Adrian Salliego, Candace Moore and Albert Titman. Children under 12 are not permitted. Room blocks are available at nearby hotels. Registration costs $100. For details, contact (701) 751-2887.

Grand Ronde to host MMIP awareness event

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will host a Missing and Murdered Indigenous People awareness event on Friday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the new health building located at 9615 Grand Ronde Rd in Grand Ronde, Oregon. The event, organized by Warriors of Hope, will include food, drinks and front door raffles at 1:30 p.m.

The gathering will feature elk and bison burgers, hot dogs and chips as part of the community gathering focused on MMIP awareness. The notice directs attendees to contact 503-879-1660 for more information.

Missoula Art Museum to open MMIP portrait exhibit in June

The Missoula Art Museum has announced the launch of Outrage: Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in Montana. The exhibition, by Irish artist Brian Maguire, includes portraits created in collaboration with Native families and MMIP advocates across Montana. A public reception will be held Friday, June 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by a panel discussion on Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

According to the Missoula Art Museum, Maguire’s work is based on meetings with impacted families and reflects themes of remembrance and resistance. The June 7 panel will include Maguire, Native leaders and advocates discussing the role of art in justice and healing.