The Daily Spark
Small sparks from Indian Country, built to catch fire
Mobile exhibit will center Native history in Colorado anniversary events
A mobile exhibit created by Native artists, activists and historians will begin stops in late spring, starting May 9 on two Ute reservations
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.
Event highlights role of Indigenous matriarchs in leadership, care
A program at Oyate Health Center drew about 30 people and focused on how Indigenous women support families, culture and community care
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.
Senate candidates discuss sovereignty, education at Wabanaki forum
At an April 16 event on Indian Island, David Costello and Graham Platner addressed education, tribal issues and youth engagement
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.
Time Out Wacipi powwow draws hundreds to Grand Forks event
The 54th annual event at the Alerus Center featured dance competitions, food and a shared meal as tribal communities gathered
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.
North Dakota tribes to receive nearly $30M in HUD housing grants
KFYR-TV reported the money is part of a more than $1 billion federal program for affordable housing, modernization and related services
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.
‘Chopped’ episode to feature Indigenous chefs and cuisine
A special April 21 episode, “Indigenous Inspiration,” features four Native chefs competing with Indigenous ingredients for a $10,000 prize
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 launches equine initiative for Northern Plains tribes
A new Brooke USA Foundation program aims to raise $80,000 in three years for horse care, youth training and tribal college education
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.
University of Wyoming launches scholarship for tribal students
The Wind River Promise Fund covers full tuition and fees for eligible Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho students
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.
Advocates protest outside Ellsworth base in Lakota woman’s homicide case
ICT reported that demonstrators outside Ellsworth Air Force Base pressed for more information as a US airman awaits trial
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.
Michigan announces $925,000 grant for tribal food sovereignty project
A $924,984 grant will fund infrastructure, education, outreach and a mobile app through The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan
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.
MHA community trains on incident command system
Training helps MHA community strengthen emergency coordination skills and prepare responders for incidents across Fort Berthold
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 help restore native plants and ecosystems
Programs At Camp Tillamook and in Oregon City link incarcerated youth with habitat work, job skills and native plant restoration
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.
Documentary “Why We Dance” premieres at Minneapolis St. Paul film festival
Oogie Push’s first feature documentary follows Indigenous people across the US, Hawaii and Mexico and has another screening April 18
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.
OSU hosts American Indian Awareness Week events
An Oklahoma State University news release says the campus events and social media campaign focus on tribal sovereignty and student advocacy
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.
Interior Department completes probate outreach event at Gila River Reservation
A three-day event at the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona reached 333 families with probate, realty and trust account assistance
The Department of the Interior completed a three-day probate outreach event at the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona, where staff met with community members at two locations to provide trust services, according to a Department of the Interior press release. The event, hosted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, reached 333 families and offered assistance with probate cases, realty needs and trust fund account management. Participants met one-on-one with staff to receive case updates, review documents and learn about the probate process.
Staff also provided information on gift deeds, while Bureau of Trust Funds Administration staff assisted with digital service enrollment and updates to payment and contact information.
Native athletes wear headdresses to honor culture in competition
Schools in Northern Plains communities use traditional regalia at games and ceremonies to connect students with heritage and community pride
Native student-athletes in several Northern Plains communities are incorporating traditional headdresses into school sports to express cultural identity and community pride, according to ICT.
At Browning High School on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, boys basketball players wear headdresses during pregame routines. Principal Sandi Campbell said the practice energizes crowds and highlights cultural expression.
Other schools, including Heart Butte High School and Wyoming Indian High School, also use traditional regalia during games or ceremonies. Coaches and school leaders said the practice connects youth to their heritage and encourages pride, while reinforcing community values and cultural continuity.
Wabanaki basketmakers work to protect ash trees from invasive beetle
Basketmakers, scientists and officials are using seeds, insecticides and wasps to fight emerald ash borer and preserve brown ash
Wabanaki basketmakers, scientists and government officials in Maine are working together to protect ash trees threatened by the invasive emerald ash borer, according to Inside Climate News.
The beetle, first identified in the United States in 2002, has spread to dozens of states and can kill nearly all ash trees it infests within years. Brown ash, known as the “basket tree” among Wabanaki tribes, is central to traditional basketmaking.
Efforts to protect ash include seed collection, selective tree cutting, insecticide treatments and the release of parasitic wasps to control beetle populations. Tribal groups are also storing harvested wood and developing nurseries to grow future trees. Organizers say combining Indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches is key to sustaining both the species and the cultural practice.
New Mexico leaders oppose federal moves on public lands
Source NM reported that officials, tribes and advocates opposed drilling and mining changes near Chaco, Upper Pecos and Canjilon
New Mexico officials, tribal leaders and advocates said they will oppose recent federal actions to expand oil, gas and mining activity on public lands, according to Source NM.
In recent weeks, federal officials moved to end a ban on oil and gas drilling near Chaco Culture National Historical Park and reverse a mining ban in the Upper Pecos headwaters. U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, along with Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, also opposed a proposal to mine uranium near Canjilon and requested delays on federal review.
Acoma Gov. Charles Riley said the pueblo submitted more than 400 public comments opposing changes near Chaco Canyon. “Chaco is not an abstract policy issue for us,” Riley was quoted as saying, calling it a cultural landscape central to Pueblo identity. He also raised concerns about a seven-day federal comment period, saying the process must be inclusive of tribal voices.
Milwaukee Indian Summer Festival returns March 28-29 after seven-year hiatus
Hundreds gathered at a spring powwow and Native art market to celebrate Native culture and community resilience
ICT reports that the Indian Summer Festival has returned to the Milwaukee area after a seven-year hiatus, opening with a Spring Powwow & Native Art Market at the Waukesha Expo Center. The original festival ran from 1980 to 2019 and served as an annual gathering for Milwaukee's 14,000 American Indian and Alaska Native residents, according to ICT News. Organizers spent two years planning the revival to recreate the event's community atmosphere, drawing hundreds of attendees, 24 vendors and participants for a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included volunteers, sponsors and Waukesha’s mayor, Shawn Reilly.
The spring event featured Indigenous artists selling beadwork and drums alongside a powwow led by the Forest County Potawatomi Color Guard. Lloyd Ninham, an Oneida Nation of Wisconsin citizen and the festival's CEO, described the effort to restart the gathering as a massive labor of love driven by community persistence. Revenue generated from the spring event will be used to fund the upcoming three-day fall festival scheduled for late September.
New Mexico tribal libraries fill critical gaps in communities despite limited staff
They provide computer access, Native language materials and warming spaces for Indigenous populations
Tribal libraries in New Mexico are serving as essential community hubs that provide a wide range of services despite facing significant staffing limitations, according to New Mexico In Depth. There are 24 tribal libraries across the state that are funded through a mix of federal, tribal and state dollars. Facilities like the Zuni Public Library offer vital resources to residents who live far from municipal libraries, providing computer access, free children's books and printed Native language materials. Beyond traditional library services, the spaces host cultural events such as pottery-making classes and storytelling in Native languages and serve as safe spaces for unsheltered individuals to warm up or charge their phones.
Despite logging about 79,000 visits in the last fiscal year, many tribal libraries struggle to stay open as often as needed because of ongoing staffing challenges, New Mexico In Depth reported. Advocates note the state lacks a university or college offering a library science certification program, making it difficult to find full-time employees. Some facilities are excluded from state funding sources like the Rural Library Endowment Fund, which only supports libraries serving populations of 3,000 or fewer. Staff members at the Zuni library hope the state Legislature will eventually expand the population limit to help tribal facilities secure more resources to serve their communities.