The Daily Spark

The Far North Fashion Show, part of the Arctic Encounter Summit, showcased Indigenous designers from across Alaska on April 15 at the Anchorage Museum, according to reporting by Alaska Beacon. Now in its seventh year, the event featured designs representing Inupiaq, Athabascan, Tlingit, Yup’ik and Aleut cultures. Organizers said the show is a highlight for attendees, with founder Rachel Kallander noting the work behind the event.

Designs reflected cultural traditions and messages, including pieces inspired by animals such as caribou and whales, according to Alaska Beacon. Some garments also incorporated red handprints symbolizing missing and murdered Indigenous people. Models performed on a catwalk with music and lighting, and some included traditional dance movements during their presentations.

The American Indigenous Tourism Conference will take place Oct 19-22 at Tulalip Resort Casino in Tulalip, Washington, hosted by The Tulalip Tribes, according to conference materials . The event marks the 28th anniversary of the national conference, which is focused on growing tourism in Indigenous communities. Organizers said the theme, “Indigenous Tourism is Sovereignty in Action,” highlights how Native Nations use tourism to support economic development, protect homelands and uphold cultural identity.

More than 300 attendees are expected to participate in networking, keynote sessions and industry discussions, according to the conference description. Registration is now open. Attendees who register by the early bird deadline of June 30 will be entered into a drawing for one overnight stay at the Tulalip Resort Casino during the conference, with one winner selected. Organizers said the event aims to support Indigenous-led tourism and strengthen long-term economic opportunities for Native communities.

Leaders from the Assembly of First Nations and the National Congress of American Indians met April 20 during the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York to advance a renewed Declaration of Kinship and Cooperation, according to a joint statement. The declaration, signed March 24, outlines shared commitments to Indigenous rights, well-being and self-determination across the Canada–United States border. Discussions focused on Indigenous free trade, border mobility and the removal of tariffs on trade, including medicines and cultural items tied to Indigenous health.

“Today’s meeting reflects the strength of our renewed kinship and our shared responsibility to act together on behalf of our Nations,” NCAI President Mark Macarro was quoted as saying. AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the work aims to support economies, mobility and rights. Youth leaders also led discussions on mental wellness, addictions and health, according to the statement.

Ten years after Prince’s death, Bob Blake reflected on how working security for the musician shaped his life and career. In an interview with MPR News, Blake, a citizen of the Red Lake Nation, said he began working for Prince in his early 20s after being recruited by a cousin. He said the experience taught him professional skills, including how to communicate with attorneys and promoters.

Blake worked for Prince for about six years and said the experience influenced his future path. According to MPR News, Blake now runs a solar energy company and serves as executive director of a clean-energy nonprofit. He said Prince’s support of environmental activist Van Jones helped connect him to his first renewable energy job.

The U.S. Army officially named its next-generation assault aircraft the MV-75 Cheyenne II on April 15 during the Army Aviation Association of America’s annual Army Aviation Warfighting Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, according to Military.com. Members of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes attended the announcement, according to the Army. 

The aircraft, built by Bell Textron and previously known as the V-280 Valor, is set to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk as the Army’s primary assault helicopter, according to Military.com. Col. Jeffrey Poquette was quoted as saying in an Army release that the service was “honored to have the Cheyenne tribes’ approval to use their name.” Bell has started assembling the first six test aircraft in Wichita, Kansas.

A mobile exhibit called the Breathing Healing Bus will travel across Colorado to share Indigenous history and culture as the state marks its 150th anniversary and the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, according to ICT. Organizers said the bus was created by Native artists, activists and historians and grew in part from the 2023 report by the Native-led Truth, Restoration and Education Commission. 

The exhibit combines youth artwork, multimedia storytelling and guided reflection to present Native perspectives often left out of official histories, according to ICT. Organizers said the project aims to address difficult parts of Colorado’s past while promoting healing. The bus is scheduled to begin stops across Colorado in late spring, with its first official visits planned for the weekend of May 9 on the two Ute reservations in southwest Colorado.

Indigenous matriarchs and their role in community leadership and care were the focus of a recent session at the Oyate Health Center in Rapid City, South Dakota, according to Native Sun News Today. The event, sponsored by the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board’s Tribal Opioid Response Program, featured speaker Lily Mendoza, founder of the Red Ribbon Skirt Society, who discussed the evolving role of Indigenous women in sustaining families and communities. 

Mendoza described matriarchs as central figures who maintain family connections, preserve culture and support communities during crises, according to Native Sun News Today. She also emphasized the importance of documenting family histories and strengthening cultural teachings. The session included about 30 attendees in person and online and highlighted the role of women in areas including education, health and environmental stewardship.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidates David Costello and Graham Platner discussed tribal sovereignty and education during a forum hosted by the Wabanaki Alliance on April 16 at Indian Island, home of the Penobscot Nation, according to The Maine Campus. The event included questions on environmental justice, regulation and legislative approaches affecting Wabanaki nations. 

Both candidates said gaps remain in education about Indigenous history and issues. Costello said the federal government should invest more in public education and emphasized teaching Indigenous history at an early age. Platner said political engagement among young people is key to meaningful change. The forum also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships between tribal nations and institutions, including agreements between the Penobscot Nation and the University of Maine, according to The Maine Campus.

Hundreds gathered April 17-18 at the Alerus Center for the 54th annual Time Out Wacipi Powwow, according to the Grand Forks Herald. The event, held at the venue for the second consecutive year, brought attendees from across the state to celebrate American Indian culture through dance and community activities.

The wacipi, which means powwow in the Lakota/Dakota language, featured dance competitions, a food truck and a shared community meal on opening day, according to the Grand Forks Herald. The event included participants from tribal communities across the region and continued through Saturday with additional festivities.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded more than $1 billion in housing grants to American Indian tribes, including nearly $30 million for tribes in North Dakota, according to KFYR-TV. The funding comes through the Indian Housing Block Grant program, which supports affordable housing development, modernization and related services. 

North Dakota recipients include the Spirit Lake Tribe with about $4.1 million, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe with about $7.5 million, the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold with about $5.1 million and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians with about $12.9 million. The agency states the program is the largest source of federal housing assistance for tribal communities.

A new episode of the Food Network’s “Chopped” will highlight Indigenous chefs and foods in a special installment titled “Indigenous Inspiration,” according to ICT. The episode, airing April 21, features four Native chefs — Mariah Gladstone, Ray Naranjo, Justin Pioche and Jessica Walks First — competing to create a three-course meal using Indigenous ingredients. 

The competition will be judged by Sioux Chef Sean Sherman, Prairie Band Potawatomi Chef Pyet DeSpain and Chef Eric Adjepong, with Ted Allen hosting, according to ICT. The winner will receive a $10,000 prize. Organizers said the episode marks the first time the show has featured a full lineup centered on Indigenous cuisine, with dishes incorporating ingredients such as whitefish and sumac.

Brooke USA Foundation has announced the launch of a Native American Equine Welfare Initiative aimed at improving horse health and expanding care access on Northern Plains reservations. The program seeks to raise $80,000 over three years, with $20,000 already committed, and will provide farrier services, veterinary care and training opportunities for reservation youth. 

The initiative will be implemented in partnership with Rural Veterinary Experience Teaching and Service and includes training participants to become certified farriers while earning income per treatment, according to the announcement. Organizers said the program will also support integrating equine care education into tribal college programs and building long-term, community-led care systems. The program is intended to improve access to care for more than 30,000 horses in the project area.

Enrolled members of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes can now apply for a new University of Wyoming scholarship covering full tuition and fees, according to reporting by WyoFile. The Wind River Promise Fund is available to eligible students who graduate from a Wyoming high school, meet academic requirements and enroll full time. University trustees approved funding for the program in 2025 and expanded eligibility in March to include returning and transfer students. 

The scholarship requires students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid annually and maintain academic standing to renew the award, according to WyoFile. University President Ed Seidel said the program reflects a commitment to increasing access for tribal students. Applicants must verify tribal enrollment and meet application deadlines, including a July 1 submission date for the scholarship.

About a dozen community members gathered April 17 outside Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to call for accountability and transparency in the homicide of Sahela “Toka Win” Sangrait, according to reporting by ICT. Protesters stood in snowfall and freezing temperatures to demand answers in the case involving a Mnicoujou Lakota woman whose family continues to seek justice. 

ICT reports that federal prosecutors charged U.S. Airman Quinterius Chappelle with first-degree murder in the 2024 killing, alleging the crime occurred at his on-base residence. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Sangrait’s remains were found March 4, 2025, near Black Elk Peak in the Black Hills National Forest. Advocates said the protest aimed to push for communication from base officials, while the family’s attorney cited concerns about transparency and investigative gaps.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan announced a $924,984 grant to support a Tribal Food Sovereignty and Safety Project, according to a joint statement released April 15. The funding will be distributed over four years to support food infrastructure, safety education and community outreach efforts across Tribal Nations in Michigan.

The project will support planning and implementation of food systems infrastructure, deliver education on food safety and nutrition and assess food sovereignty needs and environmental risks, according to the statement. It also includes development of a mobile application focused on food safety guidance for wild game, fish and foraged foods. The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, a consortium representing 12 federally recognized tribal nations in the state, will lead the initiative.

Community members and first responders with the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation participated in an Incident Command System training hosted by the tribe’s Emergency Operations Center, according to reporting by KFYR-TV. The system is used to organize response efforts and improve communication during emergencies.

Marle Baker, chief of the Mandaree Volunteer Fire Department, said the system was used during the Bear Den fire of 2024 to coordinate more than 200 responders. Baylee Thomas, a rescue operations specialist, said the system outlines roles needed for an incident to run efficiently and is used by police, ambulances and firefighters. She said the training also supports the tribe’s recently created search and rescue team and helps prepare community members and staff on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Roughly a couple dozen people attended the session in person or virtually, and Thomas said the training is offered annually.

Incarcerated youth in Oregon are helping restore native plants and ecosystems through partnerships with nonprofits, according to reporting by the Oregon Capital Chronicle. At Camp Tillamook, youth work in a native plant nursery operated with the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, growing plants used in watershed restoration projects across the Oregon Coast. In rural Oregon City, incarcerated youth can participate in a cultural ecology internship with Parrot Creek, where they remove invasive species, plant native vegetation and track wildlife. The program incorporates Indigenous knowledge from tribes local to the Willamette Valley and aims to build job skills and environmental awareness, according to program manager Ame Mañon-Ferguson. Youth in both programs said the work provides job experience and helps prepare them for future employment.

A new documentary centered on Indigenous dance premiered at the 45th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, with an additional screening scheduled for April 18, according to reporting by MPR News. Meskwaki filmmaker Oogie Push made her feature directorial debut with “Why We Dance,” a film rooted in the Twin Cities that follows Indigenous people from the United States, Hawaii and Mexico as they share connections to culture through dance. 

The film opens on the Rosebud Reservation and features participants including Canku OneStar, as well as Pualeilani Paia Kamahoahoa and Paisley Paiea Kamahoahoa in Hawaii. It also follows Mary Anne and Sergio Quiroz of the Indigenous Roots Cultural Center in St. Paul. The documentary traces cultural history, including how Meskwaki people used pow wow gatherings as part of efforts to buy back their land, while highlighting personal stories tied to identity, community and tradition.

The Center for Sovereign Nations and the Native American Student Association at Oklahoma State University are hosting American Indian Awareness Week, a series of events and a social media campaign focused on tribal sovereignty, according to an Oklahoma State University news release.

“It’s a chance to advocate for ourselves, because we’re not passive viewers of history; we’re actively participating,” said Jaden Waters, a CSN student leader. CSN Director Sky Rogers said the week aims to educate others about sovereignty by breaking it into “bite-sized pieces.” Events scheduled throughout the week include stickball, cornhusk doll making, the Miss and Mister American Indian OSU Pageant and an honoring ceremony, with activities taking place across campus.