The Daily Spark

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate more than 15,000 probationary federal employees fired in February, after finding the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) lacked authority for the mass terminations. However, advocates say the administration has not complied, instead placing workers on administrative leave. The ruling affects employees at agencies including the Department of the Interior and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The coalition pushing for compliance is urging further legal action.

Former President Donald Trump has pardoned Devon Archer, a former business partner of Hunter Biden, who was convicted in a $60 million bond fraud scheme involving the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Archer was sentenced in 2020 for his role in misappropriating funds meant for tribal development. Trump said Archer was "treated very unfairly." The Oglala Sioux Tribe has not yet responded to the decision.

The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, also known as the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, have submitted plans for a $2 billion casino-resort project on 23 acres of land south of the Las Vegas Strip. Tribal Chairman Mark Fox has worked with architecture firm Steelman Partners to develop the proposal, which includes a 15,000-20,000 seat event center. The tribe has acquired multiple properties in the area since 2020. While some tribal members question the project’s focus, officials remain cautiously optimistic about its potential.

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is calling for the establishment of a “Violent Crime Reduction Commission” to tackle the growing violence on reservations. In a recent letter, Rounds urged Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to form a cross-jurisdictional commission to address the severe crime rates, which are up to five times higher than the national average in some tribal areas. Tribal leaders support the commission, believing it will enable better resource deployment and cooperation between federal and tribal law enforcement.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is taking steps to solve Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) cases with the launch of “Operation Spirit Return.” The initiative partners with Othram, a Texas-based company using genetic genealogy to identify remains. In January, Othram helped identify Michelle Elbow Shield, missing since September 2023 from the Pine Ridge Reservation. While advocates, like Gina Jackson, welcome the effort, she stresses that larger systemic changes are necessary to protect Native people. The BIA is investigating 15 unsolved cases across tribal lands.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian will open “Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe” this fall, marking the first major retrospective of the acclaimed Ho-Chunk artist. The exhibition, featuring 50 works, will explore Lowe’s career and themes of cultural traditions, memory, and human connections to place. The show runs from Oct. 24 through January 2027 in Washington, D.C. A companion catalog will also be released, offering deeper insight into his work.

Utah officials are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit by the Ute Indian Tribe, which alleges a discriminatory bidding scheme prevented it from purchasing land near its reservation. The state argues the tribe’s claims are barred by federal law. A judge previously ruled that the tribe could sue a former state official over potential bias in the auction process. The lawsuit alleges officials conspired to block the tribe’s bid.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on whether challenges to the EPA’s biofuel and ozone regulations should be decided by regional circuit courts or the D.C. Circuit. The cases involve small refiners disputing biofuel waiver denials and states contesting ozone air quality plan rejections. Justices questioned whether bundling multiple rulings makes them nationally applicable. A decision could impact how future environmental disputes are handled.

California Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, D-Encinitas, has introduced a bill to cap internet prices for low-income households, similar to a New York law that withstood legal challenges. The proposal follows the shutdown of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which had subsidized broadband costs for millions, including those on tribal lands. While telecom groups and state Republicans oppose the measure, digital equity advocates argue it will help struggling families stay connected.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to sign a bill creating the Turquoise Alert System, designed to quickly share information about missing Native Americans through law enforcement and media channels. The system, set to launch July 1, will function similarly to Amber and Silver alerts. New Mexico will become the fourth state to implement such a system, joining Colorado, California, and Washington.

The family of Renzo Bull Head, missing since March 16, 2025, thanks the community for its continued support as the search enters another week. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for weekday shifts of 10-12 people to assist in the search. The search base remains at United Tribes Technical College (UTTC), where daily briefings will take place at 10:00 AM in the Healing Room, and evening debriefings will be held at 6:00 PM. Transportation will be provided by UTTC after the daily debriefing, with pickups starting at 11:00 PM. After debriefing, contact Marcus at 701-595-1061 for a ride.

The Mandan Police Department is seeking help in locating 20-year-old Renzo Bull Head, who was last seen walking east on the railroad bridge between Mandan and Bismarck. Surveillance footage shows him entering the bridge but not exiting. Renzo is described as having black hair, brown eyes, standing 5'11" tall, and weighing approximately 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a puffy black jacket, white and black checkered sweatpants, and white and red Jordan basketball shoes. Jana Kate Walker, the family’s primary point of contact, can be reached at 701-329-9150.

For search resources:

Daily Briefings: 10:00 AM in the Healing Room

Evening Debriefing: 6:00 PM in the Healing Room

Transportation: Provided by UTTC Transportation, pickup begins at 11:00 PM

Volunteering: Contact Alva Cottonwood Gabe at 701-880-7060

Primary Contact: Jana Kate Walker at 701-329-9150

Dormitory Accommodations: Limited availability at Sakakawea Hall (bring your own bedding)

Dining Services:

Monday-Friday: Breakfast (7:00-8:30 AM), Lunch (11:45 AM-1:15 PM), Dinner (4:30-6:00 PM)

Saturday-Sunday: Brunch (10:00 AM-Noon), Supper (4:00-5:00 PM)

Additional food available at the UTTC Cultural Center outside dining hours.

For more details, contact Hoksila White Mountain, UTTC point of contact, at 605-926-9731.

Updates will be posted on the official Renzo Bullhead Search Page on Facebook.

North Dakota Senators John Hoeven, Kevin Cramer, and Representative Julie Fedorchak have reintroduced the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act. The bill would enable equal-value land and mineral exchanges between the state and the U.S. Department of the Interior, aimed at reducing land fragmentation and promoting energy development. The measure seeks to give tribes greater control over reservation lands while providing resources to support state education. The bill has passed the Senate and is expected to move forward in the 119th Congress.

Native American photographer Cara Romero uses her art to spark a conversation about environmental racism and its impact on Indigenous communities. Her latest solo exhibition, Panûpünüwügai (Living Light), currently on display at Dartmouth’s Hood Museum, includes over 60 powerful photographs addressing issues like land loss and the environmental exploitation of tribal lands. Romero’s work blends tradition with environmental development, aiming to open a dialogue about the connection between Indigenous cultures and the fight for environmental justice.

Indigenous communities have long faced displacement and environmental threats from natural resource extraction. A new documentary, Drowned Land, by Choctaw filmmaker Colleen Thurston, highlights the ongoing fight to protect Oklahoma’s Kiamichi River. The film, which premiered in select theaters on March 23, explores the deep connections between land, water, and Indigenous storytelling.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Education Department, a move that could significantly impact Native students. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) called the order a “betrayal of a sacred federal promise,” warning it could cut funding for special education, Native language programs, and tribal colleges. Advocates say Native students, most of whom attend public schools, would be left vulnerable to state budget decisions.

Six Michigan tribes have withdrawn from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' review of Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 tunnel project, citing concerns that a Trump-era executive order will fast-track approval. The tribes accuse the Corps of disregarding its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act and failing to engage in meaningful consultation. The proposed tunnel would relocate part of the pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac, raising environmental and sovereignty concerns.

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is supporting Portland General Electric’s bid to condemn five acres of public land at Willamette Falls for hydroelectric operations. The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community opposes the move, arguing it threatens their ceremonial fishing platform. A federal judge will hear arguments on April 21. The case highlights complex intertribal disputes over land use and treaty rights.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a lawsuit filed by 21 young plaintiffs, including Native Americans, who argued that federal energy policies violate their constitutional rights by worsening climate change. The case, first filed in 2015, was dismissed by the Ninth Circuit for lack of standing. Despite the ruling, attorneys say the case has fueled a growing youth-led climate movement.

The family of Renzo Bull Head is grateful for the community’s ongoing support as the search enters another week. To improve coordination, volunteers are asked to sign up for weekday shifts of 10-12 people. The search base remains at United Tribes Technical College, with a new meeting room location to be announced. Updates will be posted on the official Renzo Bullhead Search Page on Facebook.

The Mandan Police Department is seeking assistance in locating 20-year-old Renzo Bullhead, who has been missing since March 16, 2025. Renzo was last seen walking east on the railroad bridge between Mandan and Bismarck around 8 p.m. Surveillance footage shows him entering the bridge but does not show him exiting. Renzo is described as having black hair, brown eyes, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, and weighing approximately 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a puffy black jacket, white and black checkered sweatpants, and white and red Jordan basketball shoes.