The Daily Spark
Small sparks from Indian Country, built to catch fire
Las Vegas man indicted for allegedly selling fake Native art
A Las Vegas resident has been indicted for allegedly misrepresenting goods as Native American-made in violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, Jose Skywolf Martinez, 61, made his initial court appearance Tuesday. He is charged with one count of violating the federal law. A jury trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
Prosecutors allege Martinez sold goods he falsely suggested were produced by a Native person or tribe. The director of the Interior Department’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Meridith Stanton, was quoted as saying that the counterfeit art allegedly sold by Martinez harms Native “economies, culture, and traditions.” If convicted, Martinez faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
Muscogee Nation sues Henryetta over McGirt jurisdiction violations
The Muscogee Nation filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the City of Henryetta and its attorney, John Insabella, for prosecuting Native citizens within reservation boundaries in violation of McGirt v. Oklahoma, according to KOSU. The tribe initially contacted Insabella in September 2024 after learning of the prosecutions but received no response. The tribe later discovered the city's police chief had instructed officers not to involve Muscogee Lighthorse Police in traffic stops involving tribal citizens. Insabella later stated the city would continue prosecuting tribal members.
The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District court, seeks a declaration that Henryetta lacks criminal jurisdiction over Native defendants. The filing comes amid similar disputes, including a recent Tulsa settlement and a January lawsuit against two district attorneys.
Study highlights Native health data gaps, equity efforts in North Carolina
Native Americans are frequently misidentified in public health records, leading to undercounts in disease and mortality data, according to reporting by WUNC that cites a JAMA study. The study found that death certificates more often misclassify Native identity in cases involving cancer or heart disease than in deaths caused by drugs, alcohol or violence.
The data gaps impact public health responses, according to Lumbee citizen Ryan Dial, a program manager at University of North Carolina’s American Indian Health Center and Lineberger Cancer Center. “Public health action is driven by data,” Dial told WUNC. “People look at incidence rates and mortality rates of Native communities and assume, ‘Oh, there's not a disparity there. There's not a problem. We can move on.’”
APSU students engage with Native artists and communities during New Mexico study away program
Austin Peay State University students recently traveled through New Mexico as part of a summer study away program exploring Native American art and literature, according to Clarksville Now. The group from the Tennessee university visited Bandelier National Monument, Acoma Pueblo and other cultural sites while meeting with Indigenous artists and writers, including Diné painter Ryan Singer and Diné author Brendan Shay Basham.
Crystal Bridges and Art Bridges acquire 90 works of contemporary Native art
ARTnews reports that 90 works of contemporary Native art from the John and Susan Horseman Collection have been acquired by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Art Bridges Foundation. The acquisition includes pieces by Kent Monkman, George Morrison, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Rose B. Simpson and T.C. Cannon. Crystal Bridges will receive nine works; the remaining 81 will go to Art Bridges.
The acquisition expands both institutions’ collections and exhibition offerings. Jordan Poorman Cocker, curator of Indigenous art at Crystal Bridges, was quoted as saying that the artists in the collection “tell stories about collective history that predates America.” Ashley Holland, director of curatorial initiatives for Art Bridges, said Native perspectives are foundational to American art.
Caddo Nation and OSUIT sign workforce partnership for energy and construction careers
The Caddo Nation Economic Development Authority (CNEDA) and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch customized training programs in renewable energy, construction and infrastructure, according to a July 3 press release. The agreement supports the Caddo Nation’s economic development plans by preparing citizens for careers aligned with tribally owned enterprises.
Under the partnership, OSUIT will provide non-credit training, credentialing, faculty expertise and access to facilities, while CNEDA will coordinate recruitment and ensure alignment with tribal priorities. According to Caddo Nation Chairman Bobby Gonzalez, the collaboration marks “a transformative moment” for the Nation’s long-term economic growth. The first programs are expected to launch in fall 2025.
CDC data shows Native and Black males have highest fentanyl death rates
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows Native American males and Black males had the highest death rates from illicit fentanyl in 2023, according to EIN Presswire. University of Oklahoma chemistry professor Donna Nelson presented the data at the InspireOK 25 Conference on June 27, with Oklahoma Secretary of State Ryan Walters in attendance.
While the CDC’s overall data for 2015 through 2023 revealed a leveling and slight decline in overall fentanyl-related death rates in 2023, the rates for Black males continued to rise. For Native American males, rates declined slightly but remained higher than those for white males.
Youth learn cultural and ecological stewardship at Rolette County day camp
Students gathered June 25 at the Anishinabe Learning, Cultural & Wellness Center in Belcourt, North Dakota, for a day camp focused on conservation, according to the North Dakota office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The Rolette County Soil Conservation District and the Anishinabe Center hosted the camp with support from NRCS.
The event featured six rotating learning stations covering soils, wetlands, engineering, rangeland, wildlife and tree identification. Presenters included NRCS staff and professionals such as Adam Flaagan, tribal liaison for Spirit Lake Nation, and Beth Miller, of the North Dakota Forest Service.
Muscogee Nation commemorates McGirt ruling’s anniversary with Sovereignty Day event
The Muscogee Nation held a Sovereignty Day celebration to mark the fifth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt v. Oklahoma decision, according to Native News Online. The event took place at the College of the Muscogee Nation’s STEM Building Lecture Hall and included tribal leadership, citizens and special guests.
Principal Chief David Hill said the ruling confirmed the nation’s longstanding self-governance. A panel titled “Sovereignty in Action” highlighted efforts in justice, health, language revitalization and economic development. Riyaz Kanji, lead counsel in the McGirt case, spoke at the event. A time capsule filled with items from the Muscogee Nation will remain on display until 2050.
NCAI condemns Ann Coulter’s comment as hate speech
The National Congress of American Indians issued a statement condemning Ann Coulter’s July 6 post on X in which she stated, “We didn’t kill enough Indians.” The organization called the comment “a violent attack on Native people and Tribal Nations” and demanded an immediate retraction, public apology and platform ban.
“These words are not provocative social commentary; they are a violent attack,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr. added that the statement “fuels harassment, hate crimes, and political violence.” The organization called on elected officials, media and X to denounce the comment and take action. NCAI urged the public to uplift Native contributions and voices, noting it will continue to confront rhetoric that threatens Native communities.
Online gambling apps draw concern from Mescalero Apache Tribe
Mescalero Apache Reservation Vice President Duane Duffy is calling on New Mexico officials to address online sports gambling apps that he says threaten tribal gaming rights, according to Source New Mexico. Duffy told state lawmakers that companies like Kalshi operate under the guise of financial trading to offer online betting, which violates state-tribal gaming compacts.
Duffy said the Mescalero Apache Tribe will seek support from the Legislature and the New Mexico attorney general during the 2025 legislative session. Lauren Rodriguez, chief of staff for the attorney general, confirmed receipt of a letter from gaming tribes. Duffy cited a similar case involving the app Jackpocket, which ceased operations following the attorney general’s determination that it constituted unauthorized internet gaming.
Oak Ridge Fire containment shifts response to recovery phase
With the Oak Ridge Fire 87% contained, response efforts on the Navajo Nation have shifted toward recovery, according to the Arizona Mirror. The fire, which began June 28, has burned more than 11,000 acres and prompted evacuations across several communities.
Navajo Nation Council Delegate Brenda Jesus said no structures were lost and called for stronger emergency planning.
Officials from the St. Michaels Chapter led door-to-door relief efforts and distributed donations with help from volunteers. Native Health and other organizations coordinated donation drives, while certified volunteers like Glenda Tsosie Wheeler assisted evacuees. As of July 6, the chapter house stopped its emergency response team, with recovery and mitigation efforts now underway.
Appeals court denies rehearing in North Dakota redistricting case
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to rehear a case brought by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Spirit Lake Nation and three tribal citizens challenging North Dakota’s 2021 redistricting plan, according to reporting by the North Dakota Monitor. In a 7-3 decision, the court rejected a request for an en banc hearing. Chief Judge Steven Colloton, former Chief Judge Lavenski Smith and Judge Jane Kelly were in support of the hearing.
The Native American Rights Fund called the decision “a loss for Native American voters in North Dakota.” The case stems from a 2022 lawsuit alleging the redistricting plan diluted Native voting power in violation of the Voting Rights Act. U.S. District Judge Peter Welte initially ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, but the 8th Circuit reversed the decision. The plaintiffs may still file a petition for the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.
Women Are Sacred conference returns in 2025
The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center will host the 2025 Women Are Sacred Conference from July 29-31 at the Baird Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, according to an announcement by NIWRC. Held every two years, the event is one of the largest gatherings focused on ending violence against Native women and children.
This year’s theme, “Committed to Our Relatives: Tradition in Our Hearts, Future in Our Hands,” emphasizes the role of Native women as changemakers and protectors. The conference will include training sessions and networking opportunities for advocates, survivors, law enforcement, tribal leadership and court personnel. According to NIWRC, the event aims to strengthen tribal responses to violence through capacity-building and shared learning.
BIA schedules additional consultations on educational freedom executive order
The Bureau of Indian Affairs will hold three more virtual consultations July 14-15 to discuss Executive Order 14191, which aims to expand educational freedom and opportunity for families, according to a May notice from the Bureau of Indian Education. The sessions will review proposed mechanisms based on feedback from 484 participants in March consultations, including reserving nearly $1.3 million in Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds to support student services such as tutoring and career education.
Additional topics include technical assistance for tribes interested in assuming control of BIE-operated schools and increasing Tribal Education Department grants. The BIE will also host a separate session focused on strengthening postsecondary pathways and transitioning schools to tribal control. Oral and written comments will be accepted through July 25. Registration details are available on the BIE website.
St. Paul hosts first Native American food truck festival
Minnesota’s first Native American food truck festival drew large crowds to Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul on July 5, according to KARE 11. The one-day event featured several Native-owned and co-owned food trucks, along with more than a dozen vendors selling handmade Indigenous goods.
Mariah Grant, co-owner of Trickster Tacos, organized the event to mark her business’s fifth anniversary. “Instead of an anniversary party we wanted to do something bigger and better for the community,” Grant said. Some customers of Pow Wow Grounds Frybread Factory stood in line for two-and-a-half hours, telling KARE 11 the food was worth the wait. Artists Courtney Cochran of Skoden Studio and Aiyana Kline of Gingko Wolf also participated in the festival, sharing their work and cultural expression.
Tribal leaders warn new federal law threatens sovereignty and gaming revenue
Tribal leaders are raising concerns about the federal budget reconciliation bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, warning of its potential to erode tribal sovereignty and harm tribal economies, according to CDC Gaming. The $4.8 trillion law includes cuts to Medicaid, food assistance and clean energy programs while increasing funding for immigration enforcement and the military.
During a July 2 webinar hosted by the Indian Gaming Association, Victor Rocha, Jason Giles, Larry Wright Jr. and lobbyist John Harte discussed the law’s impact on tribal governance and gaming. Rocha said the bill threatens education, energy and jurisdictional authority in Indian Country. The law also caps gambling loss deductions at 90%, raising concerns about reduced casino revenue. Wright said the bill will have a “long-lasting impact on tribal members.”
New Mexico launches Turquoise Alert for missing Native people, but eligibility rules unclear
New Mexico’s Turquoise Alert system for missing Native people went into effect July 1, but how police determine who qualifies remains uncertain, according to New Mexico In Depth. The law allows alerts for individuals enrolled or eligible for enrollment in a federally or state-recognized tribe. But a spokesperson for the New Mexico State Police said each law enforcement agency will decide how to verify eligibility, raising concerns about delays.
Advocates, including Urban Indian Health Institute Director Abigail Echo-Hawk, said verification delays could slow alerts, particularly for those from out-of-state tribes. State Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta, a bill co-sponsor, said she is open to changes if the process becomes a barrier. The state police will post alerts online and on Facebook until phone notifications become available.
Cal State bans classroom use of Native artifacts without tribal consent
The California State University system has adopted a new interim policy that prohibits faculty from using Native American human remains or cultural items in teaching or research without first obtaining permission from the relevant tribe, according to The College Fix. The July 1 policy aligns with federal and state repatriation laws and requires all 23 CSU campuses to identify and return such items to tribes, while also mandating tribal consultation.
Anthropologist Elizabeth Weiss criticized the policy in an interview with The College Fix, saying it restricts academic freedom and prohibits activities such as measuring remains or taking photographs. If an artifact’s tribe of origin is unknown, the policy prevents it from being used for research or teaching.
Amy Bentley-Smith, a CSU spokesperson, was quoted as saying that meaningful engagement with tribal nations “enriches academic research and teaching by grounding it in respect, accuracy, and collaboration.”