The Daily Spark

At least 13 Indigenous candidates are running for public office in Minnesota ahead of the 2026 primary elections, nearly doubling the number who ran in 2022, according to ICT and data collected with Advance Native Political Leadership. The candidates represent eight tribal nations and include Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Nation, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Holly Cook Macarro, a citizen of the Red Lake Nation, told ICT the increase reflects growing Native political engagement in Minnesota. If elected in November, Flanagan would become the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate and the fifth Native American to serve in the chamber, according to U.S. Senate archives. The remaining Native candidates are running for offices ranging from city council and school board to the Minnesota Legislature and Congress.

The annual Many Nations Powwow at the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem brought together incarcerated Native people, their families and honored guests for a day of cultural celebration, according to Underscore Native News. The event, organized by the prison's Many Nations Culture Club, featured Grand Entry, drumming, dancing, storytelling and a shared meal while allowing participants to practice Native traditions with visitors.

Several incarcerated participants said the powwow provides an opportunity to reconnect with their culture and families, according to the Underscore Native News reporting. Nestor Diaz-Miller, who is of Cow Creek Band of Umpqua heritage, was quoted as saying that  participating in the prison's sweat lodge and drum "literally saved my life." Law professor Aliza Kaplan of Lewis & Clark Law School, a returning guest, said the gathering helps participants explore their identities and build community, according to Underscore Native News.

More than 100 wildfires are burning across Ontario, destroying two First Nations communities in Canada and forcing others to evacuate, including Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation, which has ties to the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota, according to MPR News. Many evacuees are staying in Thunder Bay, where local organizations are providing support.

Cora McGuire-Cyrette, CEO of the Ontario Native Women's Association and a member of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation, said the organization has shifted its work to assist displaced families, according to the MPR News reporting. She said services include cultural support, food, clothing, hygiene supplies, children's items, internet access and help with medications. McGuire-Cyrette also said the organization adjusts its response based on the needs identified by evacuees.

The number of U.S. children ages 8 to 12 who died by suicide reached 194 in 2025, the highest total since at least 2001, based on preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to reporting from Stateline. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found the preteen suicide rate has increased by an average of 8.2% annually since 2008.

The researchers found Black preteens had the highest overall suicide rate, while girls and Hispanic preteens experienced the largest percentage increases. Native American preteens also experienced some of the most pronounced increases. Mental health experts are calling for earlier screenings, more mental health check-ins and interventions tailored for Native, Black and LGBTQ+ children. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text 988 for help.

A Native engineer is using customizable robots to help Indigenous children learn their ancestral languages, according to reporting by NPR. Danielle Boyer, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, created SkoBots, AI-assisted educational robots that respond to spoken prompts using prerecorded Indigenous language audio. Through her nonprofit, Boyer has mentored hundreds of Native youth across the United States to build and program the robots while learning their tribal languages.

One student, 12-year-old Holden Hoy, programmed his SkoBot to speak Anishinaabemowin, an endangered Ojibwe language, using prerecorded responses, according to reporting by NPR. Boyer said the robots are intended to encourage language learning without relying on generative artificial intelligence, which she said can produce inaccurate Indigenous language content. She said the project aims to strengthen language revitalization while teaching Native youth science, technology, engineering and math skills.

A medically tailored meal program featuring traditional Navajo foods reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits among Navajo Nation patients with heart failure, according to the University of Pennsylvania's Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics. The findings, published July 27 in JAMA Internal Medicine, came from a randomized clinical trial that enrolled 206 adults receiving care at two Indian Health Service facilities in the Navajo Nation. 

Participants who received traditional meals prepared with foods including mutton, beans, squash and corn had a lower risk of hospitalization or emergency department visits than those who received standard dietary advice, according to the institute. Researchers also reported improvements in quality of life, food insecurity, blood pressure and physical activity. The institute said additional studies are needed to evaluate the program's long-term impact and its potential adaptation in other Indigenous communities. 

A federal judge has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to restore funding for hundreds of environmental justice grants that were canceled last year, including a $20 million grant awarded to the Walker River Paiute Tribe in Nevada, according to reporting from the Nevada Current. U.S. District Judge Richard Mark Gergel ruled the EPA must administer the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program through Sept. 30, after finding the agency violated a previous court order by refusing to release funds.

The Walker River Paiute Tribe's grant would support a multi-year climate resilience plan, including water, energy and food infrastructure for about 1,200 tribal members on the Walker River Reservation, according to the Nevada Current Reporting. The funding also would improve energy efficiency and weatherization for about 150 homes and support a water infrastructure project. An EPA spokesperson said the agency is reviewing the decision.

Leaders of Colorado's two federally recognized tribes are calling for representation on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission, saying tribal voices should help guide decisions affecting wildlife and ancestral lands, according to reporting from The Colorado Sun. During the commission's first meeting on tribal land, Southern Ute Tribal Council member Andrew Gallegos and Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Selwyn Whiteskunk said no tribal member has ever served on the 13-member commission despite longstanding cooperative wildlife management agreements with the state. 

Gov. Jared Polis's office said Gallegos was a finalist for a commission seat but was not appointed, according to The Colorado Sun reporting. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said creating dedicated tribal seats would require a change to state law, although tribal members could be appointed to existing positions. The commission oversees an agency with a $365 million budget and management authority for wildlife across Colorado. 

A Bureau of Indian Affairs-led investigation targeting an alleged cocaine trafficking network operating in western South Dakota, including the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, has resulted in 14 federal indictments and multiple enforcement actions, according to a Bureau of Indian Affairs news release.

The investigation, known as Operation Black Book, involved tribal, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and focused on an organization accused of transporting cocaine from the Denver metropolitan area to Rapid City and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Investigators seized about five kilograms of cocaine, about 30 firearms and about $65,000 in cash during the investigation, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs press release. The agency said more than 50 federal search warrants and court orders were executed. The Bureau of Indian Affairs noted that the charges are allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

A national survey of Native American adults found limited awareness of research linking low-fat, plant-based diets to type 2 diabetes prevention while showing strong interest in traditional Indigenous food-based approaches, according to reporting from Bioengineer. The findings, released by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, showed that 13% of respondents were aware that a low-fat, plant-based diet has been shown to improve blood sugar control and help prevent or reverse type 2 diabetes.

The majority of respondents — 78% —  said they would be willing to try a whole-food, plant-based diet centered on traditional Indigenous foods such as corn, beans and squash if it were affordable, accessible and culturally appropriate, according to reporting from Bioengineer. The online poll, conducted by Morning Consult from May 12-20, 2026, surveyed 156 Native American adults.  The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Navajo Nation partners plan to refine the Native Food for Life program through education and community support.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the sale of 2,062 acres of public land near the former Anaconda Copper Mine in Lyon County, Nevada, while a lawsuit challenging the sale proceeds, according to reporting from the Nevada Current. U.S. District Judge Miranda Du ruled the case raises serious questions about whether the Bureau of Land Management complied with federal land disposal requirements and adequately considered the potential impacts of future mining before approving the sale to Atlantic Richfield Company.

The court found that selling the land before the case resolves could cause irreparable harm by limiting public access, according to the Nevada Current reporting. Environmental groups filed the lawsuit after the Bureau of Land Management approved the sale in April. Joshua Dini, executive director of Prayer Horse Inc. and a member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, said the ruling preserves his ability to remain connected to his homelands while the case moves through the courts.

Indian gaming leaders are urging the U.S. Senate to reject H.R. 3633, known as the Clarity Act, unless it is amended to prevent prediction market platforms from offering sports betting and other forms of gambling regulated by tribes and states, according to reporting from ICT. The Indian Gaming Association, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association and other tribal organizations argue the bill would expand the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission without closing what they describe as a regulatory loophole used by prediction market companies.

Indian Gaming Association Chairman David Bean testified before the House Committee on Agriculture that prediction markets should be regulated as gaming while respecting tribal sovereignty, according to the ICT reporting. Tribal leaders instead support H.R. 7840, the Event Contracts Enforcement Act. They said the Clarity Act should explicitly prohibit prediction market platforms from offering sports betting, casino-style games and other forms of gaming regulated by tribal and state governments.

Two Black Creek Freedmen descendants have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to require the Muscogee Nation to issue citizenship cards, according to reporting from the Associated Press. Rhonda Grayson and Jeffrey Kennedy filed the lawsuit July 23 in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City against Principal Chief David Hill and the Muscogee Nation Citizenship Board. The lawsuit alleges tribal leaders are violating the 1866 treaty between the Muscogee Nation and the United States by refusing to recognize the pair as citizens despite a July 2025 ruling by the Muscogee Nation Supreme Court.

The tribal court ruled Grayson and Kennedy are entitled to citizenship after the board incorrectly denied their applications in 2019. The lawsuit states the delay has prevented them from voting and fully participating as citizens, according to the Associated Press reporting. In a statement, the Muscogee Nation said matters of tribal law and governance should be addressed through the Nation's governmental institutions and that it is committed to following its Constitution and laws fairly and consistently.

First Nations leaders in Canada are calling for a public inquiry and the resignation of senior Ontario officials following wildfires that destroyed two First Nations and forced evacuations in northwestern Ontario, according to reporting from ICT. Namaygoosisagagun First Nation Chief Helen Paavola said her community was left with “just ashes” after residents evacuated with little warning or support. Whitesand First Nation Chief Lawrence Wanakamik said his community also evacuated before receiving an official order as the fire approached.

The chiefs are asking Ontario Premier Doug Ford to launch a public inquiry into the emergency response and are seeking leadership changes within the Ministry of Natural Resources, according to the ICT reporting. They cited communication failures and inadequate evacuation support while thanking firefighters and other frontline responders. More than 850 wildfires are burning across Canada, with Ontario experiencing its worst wildfire season on record, and that Indigenous Services Canada estimates 80% of First Nations are located in areas at risk for wildfires.

Two Michigan agencies have approved another set of permits for Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 tunnel project beneath the Straits of Mackinac, according to reporting from Michigan Advance. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy reapproved permits related to wetlands and Great Lakes submerged lands, while the Department of Natural Resources approved a permit requiring measures to reduce impacts on rare plants and animals. The project still requires additional state and federal approvals before construction can begin.

Great Lakes tribal nations and environmental organizations criticized the decision and said they plan to appeal the permits, according to the Michigan Advance reporting. Bay Mills Indian Community President Whitney Gravelle called the approvals “a betrayal,” citing concerns about tribal sovereignty and the protection of the Great Lakes. The Bay Mills Indian Community and several other tribes continue to challenge a separate permit for the project before the Michigan Supreme Court.

The Northern Arapaho Business Council has adopted a new policy requiring outside organizations to consult with and receive authorization from the council before conducting activities on land under the tribe’s jurisdiction, according to reporting from the Riverton Ranger. The policy follows a July 5 sermon by Foundations For Nations Pastor Sarah Lucas that drew widespread criticism after she urged tribal members to reject traditional Indigenous spiritual practices. The council said its records review found the church had not received authorization to operate on the reservation.

The business council has requested a meeting with Foundations For Nations leadership within 10 days to discuss the church’s mission, leadership, funding and activities, according to the Riverton Ranger reporting. Council Chairman Keenan Groesbeck said the policy is intended to uphold tribal sovereignty and ensure outside organizations work in partnership with tribal leadership while recognizing the historical impacts of forced assimilation and efforts to suppress Indigenous cultures and spiritual traditions.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has awarded a $1 million, two-year grant through its Doyuti T’uhkama program to Acorns to Oak Trees, a Native-led nonprofit that provides developmental disability services for Native children and families, according to a statement from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The funding will expand culturally grounded developmental assessments, pediatric therapy, family navigation and community outreach, with a focus on tribal and rural communities across California. The organization was founded by Season Goodpasture, a Maidu and Paiute therapist, after her daughter’s autism diagnosis inspired her to improve access to services for Native families.

The grant will support expanded clinical space in Southern California, the creation of a Northern California service hub, outreach to additional tribal communities and efforts to pursue Tribal Federally Qualified Health Center designation, according to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation press release. The Nation said the investment reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting Native-led solutions that strengthen community well-being and expand access to care for future generations.

Colorado's only share of the federal Colorado River Storage Project is expected to generate nearly 30% less electricity than its historical average this year as declining water levels reduce hydropower production, according to reporting from Colorado Newsline. The Wayne N. Aspinall Unit, which includes Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal dams on the Gunnison River, supplies power to municipalities, cooperatives, tribes and irrigation districts across the West. The Blue Mesa Reservoir will end the year at about 17% of its live storage capacity.

The decline comes as electricity demand grows, driven in part by new data centers, according to the Colorado Newsline reporting. The Western Area Power Administration has increasingly relied on more expensive replacement power as hydropower generation falls. Colorado Newsline also reported that some tribal utilities, including La Plata Electric Association, continue to receive hydropower allocations tied to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, though the cooperative said its diversified power portfolio limits its exposure to rising hydropower costs.

Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives license plate program has generated nearly $500,000 to support cold case investigations during its first year, according to reporting from ICT. More than 6,000 people have registered for the specialty plates since the reward fund launched July 23, 2025. The proceeds fund rewards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for tips in missing and murdered Indigenous relatives cases through the state's MMIR Office. The plates require a minimum $25 contribution with each application and renewal.

The MMIR Office oversees both the license plate and reward fund programs. According to the ICT reporting, state Sen. Mary Kunesh said the program was created to provide a steady funding source for investigations, while state Rep. Heather Keeler said the red handprint on the plates reflects the belief among some tribes that red is the color the spirit world can see. The state's office of justice programs said that 732 Indigenous people were reported missing in Minnesota in 2025.