The Daily Spark

The bald eagle’s designation as the official national bird of the United States brings renewed pride and hope to many Native communities, including members of the Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota, according to the Associated Press. At a recent graduation ceremony by Prairie Island’s riverbank, high school graduates received eagle feathers — symbols of achievement and reverence — as drummers and singers honored them.

Jim Thunder Hawk, Dakota culture and language manager for the Prairie Island Indian Community, said he hopes the nation will be less divided now that the eagle is respected. The bill, sponsored by Minnesota legislators, was signed into law in December 2024. It acknowledges the eagle’s spiritual significance to Indigenous peoples.

The National Congress of American Indians has named Meghan Bishop (Sugpiat/Native Village of Afognak) as its new policy director. Bishop has nearly 20 years of experience in law and public policy, focusing on justice reform, tribal self-governance and child and family welfare, according to NCAI.

Bishop previously served as senior counselor to the assistant secretary of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, managing public safety portfolios, social services, education, Tiwahe, the PROGRESS Act and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women initiatives. She also acted as associate director for Tribal Justice Support at the Office of Justice Services, overseeing a $65 million budget and providing technical assistance to tribal justice systems nationwide.

“Meghan’s expertise, leadership, and unwavering dedication to tribal sovereignty make her an outstanding addition to our policy team,” NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr. said in a press release. Bishop holds a law degree from Willamette University School of Law and a master’s degree from George Washington University.

A House-passed bill that would rescind $9.4 billion in federal funds could eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, threatening the future of tribally licensed radio and media stations, according to ICT. The Rescissions Act of 2025, approved by a 214-212 vote, has not yet reached the Senate. Among those affected would be 36 tribally licensed radio stations and Native-led media nonprofits like Vision Maker Media, Koahnic Broadcast Corporation and Native Public Media.

In a letter to Congress, National Congress of American Indians President Larry Wright Jr. said CPB funding is essential to maintaining tribal voices in media and providing critical services such as emergency information, public health messaging and culturally relevant content. Francene Blythe-Lewis, president and CEO of Vision Maker Media, said losing CPB support would “almost virtually eliminate” the organization. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Cherokee, said on X that he plans to vote ‘yes’ when the bill reaches the Senate.

Two North Dakota tribes and three tribal citizens plan to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to review an 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that found they lacked standing to sue the state over alleged voter discrimination, according to the North Dakota Monitor. The case involves the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Spirit Lake Nation and a 2021 redistricting map the plaintiffs argue illegally diluted Native voting power.

The 8th Circuit reversed a lower court decision favoring the plaintiffs and reaffirmed its position that only the U.S. attorney general can enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In a brief filed Wednesday, the plaintiffs asked to maintain the lower court decision. The request was denied on Thursday.

A Las Vegas resident has been indicted for allegedly misrepresenting goods as Native American-made in violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, Jose Skywolf Martinez, 61, made his initial court appearance Tuesday. He is charged with one count of violating the federal law. A jury trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.

Prosecutors allege Martinez sold goods he falsely suggested were produced by a Native person or tribe. The director of the Interior Department’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Meridith Stanton, was quoted as saying that the counterfeit art allegedly sold by Martinez harms Native “economies, culture, and traditions.” If convicted, Martinez faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

The Muscogee Nation filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the City of Henryetta and its attorney, John Insabella, for prosecuting Native citizens within reservation boundaries in violation of McGirt v. Oklahoma, according to KOSU. The tribe initially contacted Insabella in September 2024 after learning of the prosecutions but received no response. The tribe later discovered the city's police chief had instructed officers not to involve Muscogee Lighthorse Police in traffic stops involving tribal citizens. Insabella later stated the city would continue prosecuting tribal members.

The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District court, seeks a declaration that Henryetta lacks criminal jurisdiction over Native defendants. The filing comes amid similar disputes, including a recent Tulsa settlement and a January lawsuit against two district attorneys.

Native Americans are frequently misidentified in public health records, leading to undercounts in disease and mortality data, according to reporting by WUNC that cites a JAMA study. The study found that death certificates more often misclassify Native identity in cases involving cancer or heart disease than in deaths caused by drugs, alcohol or violence.

The data gaps impact public health responses, according to Lumbee citizen Ryan Dial, a program manager at University of North Carolina’s American Indian Health Center and Lineberger Cancer Center. “Public health action is driven by data,” Dial told WUNC. “People look at incidence rates and mortality rates of Native communities and assume, ‘Oh, there's not a disparity there. There's not a problem. We can move on.’”

Austin Peay State University students recently traveled through New Mexico as part of a summer study away program exploring Native American art and literature, according to Clarksville Now. The group from the Tennessee university visited Bandelier National Monument, Acoma Pueblo and other cultural sites while meeting with Indigenous artists and writers, including Diné painter Ryan Singer and Diné author Brendan Shay Basham.

ARTnews reports that 90 works of contemporary Native art from the John and Susan Horseman Collection have been acquired by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Art Bridges Foundation. The acquisition includes pieces by Kent Monkman, George Morrison, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Rose B. Simpson and T.C. Cannon. Crystal Bridges will receive nine works; the remaining 81 will go to Art Bridges.

The acquisition expands both institutions’ collections and exhibition offerings. Jordan Poorman Cocker, curator of Indigenous art at Crystal Bridges, was quoted as saying that the artists in the collection “tell stories about collective history that predates America.” Ashley Holland, director of curatorial initiatives for Art Bridges, said Native perspectives are foundational to American art.

The Caddo Nation Economic Development Authority (CNEDA) and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch customized training programs in renewable energy, construction and infrastructure, according to a July 3 press release. The agreement supports the Caddo Nation’s economic development plans by preparing citizens for careers aligned with tribally owned enterprises.

Under the partnership, OSUIT will provide non-credit training, credentialing, faculty expertise and access to facilities, while CNEDA will coordinate recruitment and ensure alignment with tribal priorities. According to Caddo Nation Chairman Bobby Gonzalez, the collaboration marks “a transformative moment” for the Nation’s long-term economic growth. The first programs are expected to launch in fall 2025.

The Navajo Nation has lifted all evacuation orders for the Oak Ridge Fire, allowing displaced residents to return home after nearly two weeks, according to the Arizona Mirror. The fire, which began June 29, has burned more than 11,000 acres and is 87 percent contained, according to the Arizona Mirror.

At a July 8 town hall, officials said no homes were lost and no injuries were reported. However, five families with homes inside the burn zone still require police escorts due to ongoing safety concerns. During the meeting, Oak Ridge resident Nelson Roanhorse expressed gratitude to the more than 600 fire personnel who responded. Navajo Nation Police Sgt. Wallace Billy was quoted as saying, “We didn’t lose anyone. We did not lose any structures. We won.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows Native American males and Black males had the highest death rates from illicit fentanyl in 2023, according to EIN Presswire. University of Oklahoma chemistry professor Donna Nelson presented the data at the InspireOK 25 Conference on June 27, with Oklahoma Secretary of State Ryan Walters in attendance.

While the CDC’s overall data for 2015 through 2023 revealed a leveling and slight decline in overall fentanyl-related death rates in 2023, the rates for Black males continued to rise. For Native American males, rates declined slightly but remained higher than those for white males.

Students gathered June 25 at the Anishinabe Learning, Cultural & Wellness Center in Belcourt, North Dakota, for a day camp focused on conservation, according to the North Dakota office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The Rolette County Soil Conservation District and the Anishinabe Center hosted the camp with support from NRCS.

The event featured six rotating learning stations covering soils, wetlands, engineering, rangeland, wildlife and tree identification. Presenters included NRCS staff and professionals such as Adam Flaagan, tribal liaison for Spirit Lake Nation, and Beth Miller, of the North Dakota Forest Service.

The Muscogee Nation held a Sovereignty Day celebration to mark the fifth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt v. Oklahoma decision, according to Native News Online. The event took place at the College of the Muscogee Nation’s STEM Building Lecture Hall and included tribal leadership, citizens and special guests.

Principal Chief David Hill said the ruling confirmed the nation’s longstanding self-governance. A panel titled “Sovereignty in Action” highlighted efforts in justice, health, language revitalization and economic development. Riyaz Kanji, lead counsel in the McGirt case, spoke at the event. A time capsule filled with items from the Muscogee Nation will remain on display until 2050.

The National Congress of American Indians issued a statement condemning Ann Coulter’s July 6 post on X in which she stated, “We didn’t kill enough Indians.” The organization called the comment “a violent attack on Native people and Tribal Nations” and demanded an immediate retraction, public apology and platform ban.

“These words are not provocative social commentary; they are a violent attack,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr. added that the statement “fuels harassment, hate crimes, and political violence.” The organization called on elected officials, media and X to denounce the comment and take action. NCAI urged the public to uplift Native contributions and voices, noting it will continue to confront rhetoric that threatens Native communities.

Mescalero Apache Reservation Vice President Duane Duffy is calling on New Mexico officials to address online sports gambling apps that he says threaten tribal gaming rights, according to Source New Mexico. Duffy told state lawmakers that companies like Kalshi operate under the guise of financial trading to offer online betting, which violates state-tribal gaming compacts.

Duffy said the Mescalero Apache Tribe will seek support from the Legislature and the New Mexico attorney general during the 2025 legislative session. Lauren Rodriguez, chief of staff for the attorney general, confirmed receipt of a letter from gaming tribes. Duffy cited a similar case involving the app Jackpocket, which ceased operations following the attorney general’s determination that it constituted unauthorized internet gaming.

With the Oak Ridge Fire 87% contained, response efforts on the Navajo Nation have shifted toward recovery, according to the Arizona Mirror. The fire, which began June 28, has burned more than 11,000 acres and prompted evacuations across several communities.

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Brenda Jesus said no structures were lost and called for stronger emergency planning.

Officials from the St. Michaels Chapter led door-to-door relief efforts and distributed donations with help from volunteers. Native Health and other organizations coordinated donation drives, while certified volunteers like Glenda Tsosie Wheeler assisted evacuees. As of July 6, the chapter house stopped its emergency response team, with recovery and mitigation efforts now underway.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to rehear a case brought by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Spirit Lake Nation and three tribal citizens challenging North Dakota’s 2021 redistricting plan, according to reporting by the North Dakota Monitor. In a 7-3 decision, the court rejected a request for an en banc hearing. Chief Judge Steven Colloton, former Chief Judge Lavenski Smith and Judge Jane Kelly were in support of the hearing.

The Native American Rights Fund called the decision “a loss for Native American voters in North Dakota.” The case stems from a 2022 lawsuit alleging the redistricting plan diluted Native voting power in violation of the Voting Rights Act. U.S. District Judge Peter Welte initially ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, but the 8th Circuit reversed the decision. The plaintiffs may still file a petition for the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.

The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center will host the 2025 Women Are Sacred Conference from July 29-31 at the Baird Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, according to an announcement by NIWRC. Held every two years, the event is one of the largest gatherings focused on ending violence against Native women and children.

This year’s theme, “Committed to Our Relatives: Tradition in Our Hearts, Future in Our Hands,” emphasizes the role of Native women as changemakers and protectors. The conference will include training sessions and networking opportunities for advocates, survivors, law enforcement, tribal leadership and court personnel. According to NIWRC, the event aims to strengthen tribal responses to violence through capacity-building and shared learning.