The Daily Spark

The Trump administration’s freeze on funding for domestic violence programs is raising alarm. Advocates warn that delays and potential cuts to grants, particularly from the DOJ's Office on Violence Against Women, threaten services for marginalized groups, including Indigenous survivors. Nonprofits face challenges with possible layoffs and reductions in emergency shelters. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the freeze, emphasizing the critical need for continued support for survivors.

Seneca-Cayuga filmmaker Erica Tremblay is redefining Native American storytelling in Hollywood. Known for her work on Reservation Dogs and Dark Winds, Tremblay challenges stereotypes by portraying the depth and resilience of Indigenous communities. Her feature film debut, Fancy Dance, explores themes of cultural preservation and family. As Native filmmakers gain more opportunities, Tremblay’s success highlights a shift toward authentic representation in the industry.

Native Forward Scholars Fund will mark its 55th anniversary with a gala on April 2 in San Diego. The event, themed “Empowering Native Futures,” will celebrate the achievements of Indigenous scholars and the impact of education in Native communities. Since its founding, Native Forward has awarded $15 million annually in scholarships and support services, increasing Native student graduation rates. The evening will feature live performances, storytelling, and a Hall of Fame induction.

Save the Poudre and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (Northern Water) have reached a $100 million settlement to end a lawsuit challenging federal approvals for the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP). The settlement allows construction to proceed on the $2 billion project, which includes two reservoirs and a pipeline to supply 40,000 acre-feet of water to Northern Colorado communities. The settlement also funds the creation of a recreational river trail along the Cache la Poudre River. The environmental group had previously filed suit, arguing that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to consider less damaging alternatives to the project.

A federal judge has paused a lawsuit against Sharon M. Avery, acting chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission, regarding the approval of a casino in Anchorage, Alaska. The lawsuit, filed by local residents, alleges that Avery improperly approved a 58,000-square-foot casino project. The judge granted a 30-day stay while determining whether the Native Village of Eklutna must be included as a required party in the case. The tribe argues the lawsuit implicates its sovereign interests and may interfere with its gaming operations. The court will also consider the tribe’s motion to dismiss the case, citing its legal rights under federal rules.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is asking its internal watchdog to investigate the allocation of $20 billion in grant funding from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized the need for accountability, stating that the funds for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund require responsible management. Zeldin's call for the investigation follows concerns raised by Project Veritas about the distribution of the funds, with the DOJ and FBI also reportedly examining the program.

The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit against five federal agencies, alleging they are violating transparency laws by failing to disclose key information about advisory committees created under the Department of Government Efficiency. The agencies—Interior, Agriculture, Transportation, Commerce, and the EPA—are accused of not adhering to the Federal Advisory Committee Act in their coordination with DOGE teams led by Elon Musk. Environmentalists argue that the lack of disclosure undermines public accountability and potentially benefits private interests at the expense of environmental protection.

Two Oklahoma district attorneys, Matthew Ballard and Carol Iski, have filed motions to dismiss a federal lawsuit challenging their authority to prosecute Native Americans on tribal lands. The U.S. Department of Justice filed the lawsuit, citing the McGirt ruling, but the prosecutors argue the case should be handled at the state level. The dispute centers on the jurisdiction of state courts to prosecute crimes on reservation lands. The federal government contends these cases violate tribal sovereignty, while the prosecutors emphasize ongoing state court proceedings.

Montana's Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force is set to strengthen its efforts with the signing of House Bill 83 into law. The new law creates a special revenue account for the task force, enabling it to receive donations, grants, and other funding for training and operational expenses. This move comes as Montana, an epicenter of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis, works to address the disproportionate number of Native Americans among the state’s missing persons cases. The law takes effect July 1.

A vital program aimed at increasing Native American representation in STEM fields is in jeopardy due to federal funding cuts. The Cultural and Academic Research Experience (CARE) at Northern Arizona University has served over 100 Indigenous students since 2019, providing research opportunities and support. However, the loss of $150,000 in federal funding following executive orders against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs has forced CARE to scale back, impacting students' future opportunities.

The Trust for Public Land has transferred 870 acres of ancestral land to the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia. This land, located along the Rappahannock River, was previously managed by The Nature Conservancy. The transfer allows the tribe to preserve sacred traditions, vital habitats, and strengthen connections to their ancestral lands. Chief Charles Bullock emphasized the importance of this land for future generations. The Virginia Outdoors Foundation holds a conservation easement on the property. The tribe continues its efforts to gain federal recognition.

Congressman John Moolenaar has introduced two bills aimed at restoring Native American tribes' rights to self-governance and improving healthcare savings access. The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act would reverse a 2004 ruling that limited tribal businesses' control over labor practices, reinforcing tribal sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Native American Health Savings Improvement Act removes the waiting period for tribal citizens using Indian Health Service facilities to contribute to Health Savings Accounts. Moolenaar emphasizes that these bills eliminate unnecessary barriers for Michigan’s Native American communities and all tribes across the U.S.

The U.S. government has returned 680 acres of land to North Dakota's Spirit Lake Nation, ending a 65-year effort to reclaim lands deemed "submarginal" and previously used for hay production to support buffalo at White Horse Hill National Game Preserve.

Chairperson Lonna Jackson-Street called the return a "significant step towards healing and reconciliation," emphasizing its importance for the tribe's history, culture, and future.

A new measure, Senate Bill 219, requiring South Dakota public schools to accept cash for event tickets, has passed the House and is now headed to Governor Larry Rhoden. The bill responds to complaints over the Sioux Falls School District’s policy banning cash at events. Proponents argue it helps families who do not use debit cards, while critics contend it may create logistical issues. The bill excludes state universities and third-party vendors.

The Redding Rancheria will begin construction on a $230 million health village on March 17, aiming to transform Native healthcare with a whole-body approach. The 185,000-square-foot facility in Shasta County, Calif., will integrate Western medicine with Indigenous healing practices, offering fitness spaces, hydrotherapy, and traditional Native healers. The project, self-funded by the tribe, is set to open in 2027 and will serve both Native and non-Native patients.

Flooding at Dunbar Cave State Park in Tennessee has raised concerns over potential damage to 800-year-old Mississippian charcoal drawings, according to park officials. Heavy rains submerged the artwork for the first time, leaving a layer of mud that could cause permanent harm. Rangers are working with archaeologists to assess the impact and explore why flooding has worsened. Dunbar Cave houses the only publicly accessible dark-zone cave art in the U.S.

Weedon Island Preserve, one of Florida’s oldest inhabited sites, has a history spanning over 12,000 years. Indigenous peoples thrived here long before European contact, leaving behind a rich archaeological legacy, including ornate pottery and a 40-foot-long saltwater dugout canoe. Today, the 3,190-acre preserve in Tampa Bay offers hiking, birding, and cultural tours. Kayak excursions in March will explore underwater archaeological sites, connecting visitors to the island’s deep past.

A California federal judge ruled that federal regulators were justified in blocking the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians from shipping cigarettes after their products were resold to non-Native customers without collecting state taxes. The tribe argued the decision violated tribal sovereignty, but U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes upheld the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' enforcement under the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act. The case highlights ongoing legal tensions between tribal commerce and state regulations.

The U.S. Department of the Interior and the Coquille Indian Tribe are opposing an emergency motion by three tribes seeking to block a new gaming facility in Medford, Oregon. The DOI approved the Coquille tribe’s application in January, but the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Karuk Tribe, and the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation argue the decision violated federal law. A D.C. judge declined to halt the project. The case is now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.