The Daily Spark

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation filed a federal lawsuit July 3 against the State of Kansas, alleging the Kansas Lottery violated the Nation's sovereignty by selling lottery tickets and operating lottery machines within its reservation boundaries, according to a press release from the Nation. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, asks the court to halt the lottery operations and alleges they violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Nation's Gaming Ordinance and the Nation's sovereign rights.

The Nation sent multiple written notices to Kansas Lottery Executive Director Stephen Durrell in May and June, and held discussions with state officials before filing suit, but the issue was not resolved, according to its press release.The lawsuit also seeks a declaration that the reservation established under the 1846 treaty has never been diminished or disestablished under federal law and continues to constitute Indian land, according to the Nation.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality approved a request July 6 to increase the allowable arsenic level in a groundwater monitoring well at the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon, according to reporting from ICT. The agency raised the aquifer quality limit for arsenic from 0.05 to 0.055 milligrams per liter at the request of Energy Fuels Resources, which operates the uranium mine. The company said the increase reflects naturally occurring conditions rather than mining activity, according to documents filed with the state.

The Havasupai Tribe opposed the change, saying in a statement that the decision weakens groundwater protections. The Sierra Club also criticized the approval, citing concerns about arsenic and uranium levels near the mine, according to the ICT reporting. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Communications Director Caroline Oppleman said the agency approved the request because it complied with state law and added public notice requirements after consulting with the tribe.

The University of California, Berkeley will return 24 cultural items, including corn, corn cobs, beans, peas and other seeds, to the Pueblo of Isleta in New Mexico, according to reporting from The College Fix. The items are housed at the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology and are being repatriated under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The items were collected between 1940 and 1941 by George F. Carter during field research with Native American agriculturalists in the Southwestern United States.

A June 4 Federal Register notice identifies the items as objects of cultural patrimony with ongoing historical, traditional or cultural importance to the Pueblo of Isleta, according to The College Fix reporting. The notice states the items will no longer be available for public display or scientific research at the museum.

California has approved the transfer of 136 acres of Blues Beach and surrounding Mendocino County bluffs to Kai Poma, a nonprofit founded by representatives of the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Round Valley Indian Tribes and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, according to The Los Angeles Times. The transfer marks the first time land managed by the California Department of Transportation has been returned to Indigenous tribes.

The property south of Westport was purchased by California in the 1960s during the expansion of Highway 1, according to The Los Angeles Times reporting. The California Transportation Commission approved the transfer June 26, clearing the final regulatory step before the deed is recorded. Kai Poma plans to conduct cultural and archaeological resource studies and environmental surveys, and develop a resource management plan while maintaining public access from sunrise to sunset.

The 12th Annual RedCan Invitational Graffiti Jam will take place July 8-11 on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, bringing nationally recognized muralists, live performances and community art activities to Eagle Butte, according to the Cheyenne River Youth Project. The free event will feature 11 muralists creating public art throughout the community before activities shift to the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park on July 10-11.

The event will include youth art activities, free spray painting, skateboard painting, hoop dancing classes, poetry, community meals and performances by Murs, Bazille, Reed Two Bulls and the Sampson Brothers, according to the Cheyenne River Youth Project. Opening and closing circles each day will include prayer, smudging and drum songs led by the Wakinyan Maza drum group.

The 25th Navajo Nation Council unanimously approved legislation on July 2, authorizing an investment of nearly $245 million in broadband infrastructure projects across the Navajo Nation, according to the Navajo Nation Council Office of the Speaker. The measure includes $75.5 million from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance for the Navajo Nation Broadband Office and $169 million in debt financing from the Capital Development Financing Fund.

The funding will expand broadband access to all 110 chapters, according to the Office of the Speaker. Fifty-two chapters are connected to fiber optic infrastructure, while 58 will receive low Earth orbit satellite internet service through Starlink. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren will have up to 10 calendar days to act on the resolution once it is certified and delivered.

Gallup-McKinley County Schools disproportionately disciplines Native American and Hispanic students, causing them to lose significantly more instructional time than their peers, according to reporting by Source NM. The findings come from a yearslong investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice, which found Native American students lose roughly 8 to 10 times as many school days to out-of-school suspensions as white students, while Hispanic students lose three to four times as many.

The New Mexico Department of Justice found the district has reduced expulsions and referrals to law enforcement since the investigation began in 2023, according to the Source NM reporting. Gallup-McKinley County Schools said it is reviewing the report and highlighted efforts under Superintendent Jvanna Hanks, including the creation of an Equity Council with positions designated for members of the Native American community. The district also said it is committed to ensuring all students are treated fairly and remain engaged in learning.

Powwow dancers attending the Gathering of Nations shared how dance styles have changed over time, with some pointing to new categories and greater participation across regional traditions, according to reporting from ICT. Leslee Woody, who dances Southern Cloth, said powwows often vary depending on organizers and location. Her mother, Loraine Lee, said newer categories such as woodland, chicken and horse dance have become more common in recent years. Dancers also described greater flexibility in the styles people choose to dance. Loraine Lee said dancers now often participate in categories outside their regional traditions,  according to the ICT reporting. Nelly Ann of Thunderchild First Nation said the growing number of dance categories has contributed to a revitalization of powwow culture. Brayden Sanchez said younger dancers are learning quickly and that he continues dancing grass in honor of his late brother.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has awarded a $750,000 grant to the California Tribal Families Coalition to expand legal advocacy for Indigenous children and families, according to reporting from The Imprint. The funding, distributed over three years through the tribe's Doyuti T'uhkama grant program, will support Indigenous advocates and attorneys in child welfare cases, expand professional training and increase early legal intervention in Child Protective Services cases involving tribal children.

The California Tribal Families Coalition works to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act and strengthen tribal authority in child welfare cases. The grant will help expand the coalition's advocacy and prevention efforts, according to The Imprint reporting. Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Chairman Anthony Roberts said the investment is intended to strengthen tribal capacity and help keep Indigenous children connected to their families, communities and cultures.

The National Congress of American Indians withdrew from its partnership with America250 in July 2025 after disagreements over Indigenous representation and the direction of the nation's 250th anniversary commemoration, according to reporting from HuffPost. NCAI had joined the initiative in 2024 as an official America250 Natural Resource Partner to help ensure Native history was included in the national narrative. Executive Director Larry Wright Jr., a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, said the organization left after the commemoration's direction changed under the Trump administration.

NCAI leaders said the partnership ended following concerns about changes to historical interpretation and representation, according to the HuffPost reporting. Policy Director Meghan Bishop, a member of the Sugpiat/Native Village of Afognak, said the group's partnership agreement was canceled in early 2025, though its logo continued to appear on materials for several months afterward. Wright said the organization will continue advocating for accurate Native history and tribal sovereignty.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Washington State University have launched a five-year partnership that includes athletic branding, academic initiatives and student opportunities, according to reporting from Spokane Public Radio. The agreement includes "1872 Colville Tribes" patches on Washington State University football uniforms, along with educational programs and collaborative events. Colville Tribal Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson said the partnership builds on existing education and research agreements between the tribe and the university.

Erickson said the partnership is intended to support long-term economic growth and expand opportunities for tribal students to pursue careers in fields including health care, forestry and natural resources, according to the Spokane Public Radio reporting. He said the tribe plans to evaluate the agreement based on new partnerships, workforce development and its contribution to the tribe's goal of strengthening financial sovereignty.

A June 27 all-ages Indigenous benefit concert in Portland, Oregon, marked the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Greasy Grass, while raising funds for the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, according to reporting from Underscore Native News. The event, titled "Victory Day 2026," featured 10 acts, including headliner 1876, Weedrat, Lo Cashninjas and Eggplant Dance Battle. Organizers said the concert emphasized Indigenous unity, education and community.

The lineup brought together established and emerging Indigenous artists across punk, hip-hop and other genres, according to Underscore Native News. Performers and attendees said the event created space for Native youth, strengthened cultural connections and celebrated Indigenous identity in an urban setting. Funds raised during the concert benefited the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation.

Farm bill proposals under consideration in Congress would create permanent programs allowing state and tribal governments to purchase food from local and regional producers, according to  reporting from the Associated Press. The proposals follow the Trump administration's decision in March 2025 to end two U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that helped tribes purchase culturally significant foods from local producers. Both the House and Senate proposals would dedicate 10% of program funding to tribes.

Tribal farmers and advocates said permanent funding would provide more certainty for small producers while helping preserve Indigenous food systems, according to the Associated Press reporting. Dawn and Cassius Spears, who operate Ashawaug Farm in Rhode Island, said the programs supported the distribution of traditional foods and strengthened cultural connections. Supporters also said long-term funding would help producers plan for future growing seasons and expand access to locally grown foods in tribal communities.

A Miccosukee Tribe member urged Miami-Dade County to consider transferring the former “Alligator Alcatraz” detention site to tribal stewardship, but the property remains under state control, according to reporting from the Florida Phoenix. Betty Osceola said the Miccosukee people would preserve the Everglades site if it became available. However, Miami-Dade County said Florida has not returned the land or provided a timeline for doing so, preventing the county from selling or transferring the property.

The Miccosukee Tribe clarified that Osceola’s comments reflected her personal views and not the tribe’s official position, according to the Florida Phoenix reporting. Chief Communications Officer Alvaro Zabaleta said Chairman Talbert Cypress has not issued a public statement or expressed an intention for the tribe to seek ownership or control of the land. The former immigration detention center site remains under the control of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Wileety Native American College at Sacramento State provides students with an education grounded in tribal leadership, traditional knowledge and community, according to reporting from Underscore Native News and ICT. The college opened in September 2025 and allows students admitted to Sacramento State to pursue a minor in Native American studies with an emphasis on tribal leadership alongside any university major. The inaugural cohort included 34 students.

The college was established after a 2018 campus survey found Native American and Black students reported the lowest sense of belonging and retention rates, according to Underscore Native News and ICT reporting. Inaugural Dean Annette Reed, a citizen of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, said the college aims to create a place where Native students feel supported and connected to community. Students also receive faculty mentors and participate in a cohort model designed to strengthen relationships on campus.

Michele Hakala-Beeksma, a member of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, showcased three handmade Ojibwe dresses during an America 250 fashion show at the Mall of America, according to reporting from MPR News. Hakala-Beeksma, who works with the 1854 Treaty Authority, said participating in the event was important to ensure Indigenous history was represented as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The dresses represented different periods of Ojibwe history and were also displayed during the weekend event.

Hakala-Beeksma also presented the 1854 Treaty Authority’s exhibit, “Sovereign Nations: Discovering the Treaty Story of Minnesota’s Indigenous Peoples.” Dakota County Historical Society Executive Director Matt Carter said the organization expanded its America 250 programming to include Indigenous perspectives. Hakala-Beeksma told MPR News that treaties remain central to Minnesota’s history and continue to shape the relationship between tribal nations and the state.

EnCore Energy plans to restart South Dakota’s permitting process for the proposed Dewey-Burdock uranium mine after securing its final required federal permit last month, according to reporting by South Dakota Searchlight. The project spans nearly 20 square miles in Custer and Fall River counties and was added to the federal FAST-41 permitting process in 2025. According to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the company has submitted new water rights applications but has not yet applied for mine or groundwater discharge permits.

The project’s state permit applications have remained inactive since 2013 while federal reviews and litigation continued. According to the South Dakota Searchlight reporting, the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Indigenous rights group NDN Collective oppose the project, citing concerns about potential impacts on historic and cultural sites in the Black Hills. The Black Hills Clean Water Alliance has also raised concerns about possible groundwater contamination and water use associated with the proposed mining operation.

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library dedicated a medicinal garden during a private ceremony in Medora on July 3, marking what library leaders and tribal representatives described as an ongoing commitment to building relationships with tribal communities. According to reporting by the North Dakota Monitor, the garden was designed by Three Affiliated Tribes artist Cannupa Hanska Luger and features three garden beds shaped to resemble an opened tipi skin. Traditional seeds from regional tribes will be planted to symbolize community, renewal and continued participation.

Library officials and members of the Native American advisory council said the garden reflects work that will continue beyond the library’s opening. According to the North Dakota Monitor, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College President Twyla Baker said the project provides an opportunity to share Indigenous knowledge, while Theodore Roosevelt V said the partnership will require continued collaboration and the incorporation of tribal perspectives into the library’s future.

New research by Conservation International found that Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices and community stewardship play a direct role in protecting forests, wildlife and ecosystems while strengthening climate resilience, according to reporting from Grist. Researchers interviewed 49 Indigenous leaders from 43 communities across six continents and found every community reported experiencing climate-related impacts such as drought or extreme weather. The study also found more than half of the communities face pressure from extractive industries, including mining and logging.

The report identified traditional practices such as protecting sacred areas, preventing overfishing, monitoring for wildfires and resisting resource extraction as important factors in maintaining healthy ecosystems. According to the Grist reporting, 96% of respondents to the study said they set aside land for cultural or spiritual purposes that also protect biodiversity. Participants also called for greater climate funding, stronger legal protections for Indigenous territories and recognition of Indigenous land rights to support continued stewardship.