The Daily Spark

A new report reveals that North Dakota's five tribal colleges have made a $170 million impact on the state's economy, contributing over $30 million in added tax revenue and public-sector savings in just one year. Despite these positive findings, concerns loom as the Trump administration's budget cuts threaten the survival of these vital institutions. With federal funding cuts on the horizon, tribal colleges face the potential for layoffs, rising tuition, and program closures. Tribal college leaders stress that the schools, which serve as cultural havens for Native students, must be exempt from cuts due to their unique obligations under federal treaty agreements.

In a meaningful act of cultural restoration, the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum recently returned four significant Chumash artifacts to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The items—two baskets, a stone model of a tomol (plank canoe), and an early 1900s photograph—were repatriated under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. This return, part of the tribe’s ongoing healing and cultural preservation efforts, highlights the importance of reclaiming sacred and historical items. For the Chumash people, this process not only heals past wounds but also strengthens connections to their heritage and future generations.

The 9th annual Ice Warrior Plunge at Lake Sakakawea saw over 100 courageous participants, all diving into the icy waters to support cancer awareness, particularly among Native Americans, who suffer from cancer at a higher rate. This year’s event raised $71,000, with proceeds going to the American Indian Cancer Foundation and the MHA Cancer Fund. Community involvement was strong, with groups like Chord Energy raising over $14,000. In addition to the plunge, there were ice fishing tournaments, chili cook-offs, and more, all dedicated to a great cause.

Despite Elon Musk's push for drastic downsizing, the Trump administration’s spending continues to rise. A recent Reuters analysis shows that government expenditures surged by 13% in the first month of Musk’s tenure, primarily due to mounting debt-related costs and an aging population. Musk's aggressive demand for more layoffs is causing disruption across federal agencies, including stalled construction and frozen research projects. Meanwhile, the administration’s efforts to pass $4.5 trillion in tax cuts could further exacerbate the nation's debt. With infighting and growing opposition, the future of the federal workforce remains uncertain.

Haskell Indian Nations University is staying open despite the challenges posed by widespread federal layoffs initiated by the Trump administration. Board of Regents member Brandon Yellowbird-Stevens, Oneida, assured the community on social media that the university will continue to operate, with classes disrupted by the layoffs being covered by existing faculty. Tribal leaders, BIE officials, and lawmakers are working on securing exemptions for affected employees. Haskell, one of two tribal colleges impacted by the cuts, remains committed to its mission, ensuring that Pell grants and student services are unaffected.

Stephen Silva-Brave, president of the Native American Student Association at the University of Texas at Arlington, is organizing the 29th annual UTA Powwow on March 1, a celebration of Native culture filled with traditional dance, music, and games. This year, Silva-Brave expects 1,500 attendees from various tribal backgrounds. Despite challenges from Texas legislation affecting cultural events, he emphasizes the powwow’s role in showcasing Native resilience and community. The event is free and open to all, with participants encouraged to come as they are or wear traditional regalia.

Republicans in Congress are leveraging the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to roll back key Biden-era environmental policies, including methane emission fees and water heater efficiency standards. Several CRA resolutions have already passed in both the U.S. House and Senate and are awaiting President Trump’s signature. The GOP's push against these rules reflects concerns about overregulation, with an emphasis on reducing energy-related red tape. Other targets include EPA regulations on harmful chemicals and the Interior Department’s updates to oil and gas safety standards.

A Ninth Circuit panel has upheld a ruling that several provisions of Arizona’s voting laws, including proof of citizenship requirements, violate federal law. The decision, which stems from a case involving Native American plaintiffs, found that certain aspects of the laws suppress voter participation. Provisions of H.B. 2492 and H.B. 2243, which demand proof of citizenship and can lead to voter registration cancellations, were challenged by groups like the Gila River Indian Community. Arizona lawmakers have signaled an intention to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Congress has voted to repeal the EPA’s rule enforcing a methane emissions fee on oil and gas companies, sending the measure to President Trump, who is expected to sign it. The Senate approved the resolution 52-47 after the House passed it 220-206. While the Inflation Reduction Act mandates the fee, the EPA can no longer enforce it under the overturned rule. Legal challenges are ongoing, and industry groups are pushing for full repeal of the fee through budget legislation.

The Trump administration has asked the First Circuit to allow enforcement of an executive order restricting birthright citizenship while it appeals a Massachusetts judge’s injunction blocking the order. The DOJ argues that states lack standing to challenge the order and claims failing to enforce it harms national security. Judge Leo Sorokin ruled the order contradicts over a century of legal precedent under the 14th Amendment. Courts in multiple states have issued similar injunctions.

The Shawnee Tribe is advocating for control over the former Shawnee Indian Mission in Fairway, Kansas, aiming to preserve the site’s history and address concerns about its current operations. The tribe’s second attempt to reclaim the land, where Native children endured assimilation practices from 1839-1862, faces opposition from the Kansas Historical Society, Fairway, and a nonprofit managing the site. A bill introduced by Rep. Tom Kessler would transfer the land to the Shawnee Tribe with stipulations, including prohibiting casino development. The tribe plans a multi-million dollar restoration, emphasizing cultural preservation.

The 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference brought together a record number of Native youth, advisors, and tribal leaders for a transformative four-day event in Phoenix. Participants honed digital storytelling skills, creating PSAs and advocacy campaigns to address community issues. Keynote speakers like actor Kusem Goodwin and journalist Mary Kim Titla inspired youth to amplify their voices. The conference also fostered global dialogue, with Indigenous youth leaders from across the world sharing insights on leadership, governance, and cultural preservation. UNITY's commitment to youth empowerment continues through programs and upcoming events, including the National UNITY Conference in San Diego this summer.

The ACLU of North Dakota is advising Indigenous residents, especially those near the Fort Berthold Reservation, to carry both state and tribal IDs amid reports of heightened ICE activity. With concerns over mistaken arrests, the ACLU stresses that having proof of U.S. citizenship could prevent wrongful detention. In response, 15 U.S. senators have called for better training of ICE agents to recognize tribal IDs. For more info, stay informed on your rights and the situation in your community.

A 22% decrease in Native American medical school enrollment in 2024 has raised concerns about the future of healthcare representation. Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and a 2023 Supreme Court ruling limiting racial or ethnic factors in admissions have contributed to this worrying trend. Native American physicians, who represent just 0.3% of the nation's doctors, face significant barriers to entry, including financial hardships and lack of mentorship. Experts stress the importance of increasing support for Indigenous students in healthcare to address disparities in underserved communities.

The University of Tulsa has been awarded $500,000 by the Mellon Foundation for a three-year research, teaching, and public humanities initiative titled "Sovereignty and Democracy in Indian Country." This project will explore Oklahoma's unique cultural geography, particularly focusing on the intersections of state, federal, and tribal sovereignties. It will bring together artists, historians, and leaders to examine the history of democracy in the Americas and imagine a thriving future. This work will be driven by the aftermath of the 2020 Supreme Court decision McGirt v. Oklahoma, which redefined the relationship between the U.S. and Native nations. UTulsa President Brad Carson, a Cherokee citizen, supports these efforts to explore the institution's own complex history, including research into the founding of the school as the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls. The Mellon grant is part of an initiative involving 30 universities and aims to foster inclusion and democratic values.

The Department of Health and Human Services has issued an Advisory Opinion (25-01) confirming that recent Executive Orders do not alter the Department’s legal responsibility to provide healthcare to American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes. The opinion emphasizes that trust and treaty obligations remain intact despite the impact of the EOs (EO 14151; EO 14168; EO 14173). The National Indian Health Board supports this stance, urging continued protection of Tribal Nations' political status. The HHS Advisory Opinion follows the Department of Interior’s alignment with these protections.

The White House has ordered federal agencies to submit plans for large-scale layoffs by mid-March, targeting "unproductive" and "unnecessary" functions to maximize efficiency. Probationary employees and political appointees are prioritized in the cuts. Union leaders have raised concerns about the impact on essential services, including programs vital to Native American communities, such as education and infrastructure. Agencies will also be required to reduce reliance on contractors. The restructuring is part of efforts to streamline federal operations and improve service delivery.

Chicago Women in Trades has sued the Trump administration, arguing that executive orders restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs violate the Constitution. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Illinois federal court, claims the orders are vague, unlawfully limit free speech, and improperly withhold congressionally approved funding. The nonprofit, which supports women in skilled trades, says the orders could force it to abandon its mission. The administration has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

Two Democratic lawmakers are demanding transparency from the U.S. Department of the Interior on orders by Secretary Doug Burgum to expand domestic energy production. In a letter Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman and Sen. Martin Heinrich criticized the DOI for missing a deadline to disclose action plans, raising concerns about potential rollbacks of national monument protections. Conservation groups say 13.5 million acres, including critical wildlife habitats and tribal lands, are under review.