The Daily Spark

The Spirit Lake Tribal Council launched an emergency water distribution plan May 28 following the detection of elevated manganese levels in the water system, according to a public notice issued May 27. All residents of the Spirit Lake Reservation are affected, and bottled water will be distributed through June 11.

Each household is eligible to receive one case of water per two people after submitting a request form. Distribution sites include recreation centers in the Mission, Fort Totten, Woodlake and Crow Hill districts. Priority will be given to families with infants, elders and residents with medical conditions. A temporary water filtration system is expected within 14 days. According to the Tribal Council, the Office of Environmental Health will test water safety at all distribution sites. Community members needing transportation assistance may contact local emergency and public health officials listed in the notice.

Montana lawmakers passed several new laws aimed at addressing the state’s disproportionately high number of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Native Americans make up 6.5% of the state’s population but account for 24% of active missing persons reports, according to the Montana Department of Justice.

Among the measures, House Bill 83 allows the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Advisory Council to receive donations and other funding, effective July 1. The council also received a $20,000 allocation in the state’s budget. House Bill 545 renames the group, removing “task force” from its title to reflect its advisory role. Senate Bill 107 requires the Montana Office of Public Instruction to create a curriculum on human trafficking prevention. House Joint Resolution 1 urges Congress to fully fund tribal law enforcement, though the governor has not confirmed whether he will send the requested letter according to Montana Free Press.

Indigenous leaders at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues emphasized the critical importance of free, prior and informed consent, or FPIC, in protecting tribal rights. Forum Chair Aluki Kotierk (Inuit) called for development “on our terms” and urged embedding Indigenous rights at the center of policy. Albert Barume, UN special rapporteur on Indigenous peoples, described FPIC as a “gatekeeper” safeguarding land, water and self-determination rights. Fawn Sharp (Quinault) noted climate change offers a chance to align global actions with Indigenous worldviews. Leaders stressed that FPIC protocols must be community-led and ongoing, not just formalities imposed by states or companies, with examples from the Maya in Belize, Sarayaku in Ecuador and Kenya illustrating effective models, according to High Country News.

Justice For Natives praised recent developments in Arizona’s Medicaid sober-living fraud probe, citing 22 new indictments announced May 20 that bring the total charged to more than 120, according to a May 28 press release. The grassroots coalition highlighted $140 million recovered and 25 convictions to date.

The coalition credited Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Gov. Katie Hobbs for decisive action. Key developments include a $60 million fraud case tied to Happy House Behavioral Health and a $34 million restitution order against L & L Investments. The April 30 resignations of AHCCCS Director Carmen Heredia and ADHS Director Jennie Cunico followed confirmation issues. Senate Bill 1308, signed April 18, mandates licensing and inspections of sober-living homes. A $6 million grant program was also launched to support Tribal Nations and nonprofits aiding victims.

Attorneys for Greenpeace are seeking to overturn a $667 million jury verdict awarded to the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, arguing the decision was driven by bias rather than fact, according to the North Dakota Monitor. During a hearing Tuesday, Greenpeace attorney Everett Jack said the jury aimed to "punish someone who was involved in the protests." The March 19 verdict followed a three-week trial in Morton County, where jurors found Greenpeace liable for defamation, trespassing and other damages tied to protests in 2016 and 2017.

Energy Transfer, the pipeline’s developer, is urging Southwest Judicial District Court Judge James Gion to uphold the full award. Greenpeace attorneys contend the evidence presented did not meet legal standards for defamation and emphasized that only Greenpeace USA had a limited presence at the protests. Gion has taken the motions under advisement.

NATIVE, Inc. will host a community-wide Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) awareness walk in partnership with the Renzo Bullhead family at the Memorial Bridge on Saturday, May 31, 2025, beginning at 12 p.m. The walk will start with a ceremony in the parking lot underneath the Memorial Bridge on the Bismarck side. A meal will follow at the Native American Development Center/NATIVE, Inc., located at 2403 E. Thayer Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501.

On Monday, June 9, 2025, NATIVE, Inc. will host a community-wide prayer circle in partnership with the Renzo Bullhead family and in honor of all other MMIPs. The prayer circle will be held twice that day, at 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., at the Native American Development Center/NATIVE, Inc., 2403 E. Thayer Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501.

The public is welcome to attend all MMIP events.

To donate to North Dakota’s MMIP awareness events, visit NATIVE, Inc. at https://www.ndnadc.org/make-a-donation.

The Spirit Lake Tribe held an inauguration ceremony May 27 at the Spirit Lake Casino Ballrooms to welcome newly elected Tribal Council representatives and honor outgoing members, according to a Spirit Lake Tribe press release.

Judge Joe Vetsch administered the oath of office to ReNa Lohnes, Mission District representative; Kevin Dauphinais, Fort Totten District representative; and Darcie Lohnes, secretary/treasurer. Russell McDonald served as master of ceremonies. The Spirit Lake VFW Post 6547 Color Guard and Lake Region Singers opened the ceremony.

Chairwoman Lonna Street acknowledged Memorial Day and emphasized the importance of leadership during difficult times. Outgoing council members Charmayne Bohanon and Kim Three Irons were recognized for their service.

North Dakota officials say the state is well-positioned to adapt to proposed Medicaid changes under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which passed the House on May 22 by a 215-214 vote. But the bill includes new work and eligibility requirements that could add bureaucratic burdens and cause some residents to lose coverage, according to reporting by the North Dakota News Cooperative. According to Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., the state may hold a special session to approve more Medicaid eligibility staff and budget changes.

Only about 10% of North Dakota’s Medicaid recipients fall into the category affected by the work rule, and enrolled tribal members are exempt. Sioux, Rolette and Benson counties — home to Standing Rock, Turtle Mountain and Spirit Lake reservations — have the state’s highest Medicaid enrollment rates. The bill still requires Senate approval before becoming law.

The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service plans to expand its Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons education efforts across Cherokee communities, according to reporting by the Cherokee Phoenix. The initiative aims to increase awareness and promote proactive steps in response to the MMIP crisis.

Shawna Roach, Cherokee Nation Marshal Service investigator, said families and schools need to understand how predators operate, particularly through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. The Marshal Service also plans in-person events to help locate missing individuals. According to Roach, approximately seven Cherokee Nation citizens are currently listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, a number that could be higher due to investigations by other agencies.

Acting Marshal Daniel Mead announced a new QR code system that will allow individuals in danger to discreetly contact dispatch from restrooms in high-risk areas.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by the nonprofit group Apache Stronghold over the proposed Resolution Copper mine in Arizona, which would destroy Oak Flat, a sacred Apache site used for ceremonies, according to a report by NBC News. The nonprofit group argued the project violates tribal members’ religious rights under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Resolution Copper, a joint venture of Rio Tinto and BHP, said it has held “extensive consultation” with tribes and will continue dialogue. Wendsler Nosie Sr., a member of Apache Stronghold, issued a statement saying the fight would continue and urging Congress to intervene.

Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissented, with Gorsuch calling the decision a “grievous mistake.” The case centers on a 2014 law transferring federal land to Resolution Copper for mining development.

North Dakota Health and Human Services confirmed two measles cases in Grand Forks County, marking the first cases in that area and the third county affected in the state. The Grand Forks cases are linked to international travel. Since May 2, the state has recorded 21 confirmed cases, including four in Cass County, two in Williams County, and one hospitalization. All cases involve unvaccinated individuals.

Due to community transmission in Williams County, HHS advises early MMR vaccination for residents and travelers there. No community spread has been found in Cass or Grand Forks counties, so early vaccination is not currently recommended. Molly Howell, immunization director at HHS, stressed that unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles should stay home for 21 days and monitor symptoms. Vaccination records and more information are available at hhs.nd.gov/measles.

Arizona tribal leaders and state officials gathered May 21 to witness Gov. Katie Hobbs ceremonially sign House Bill 2281, also known as Emily’s Law, according to the Arizona Mirror. The law establishes the Turquoise Alert System to issue statewide alerts for missing Indigenous or endangered persons under age 65 who do not qualify for Amber or Silver Alerts.

The law honors 14-year-old Emily Pike, a San Carlos Apache girl who was found dead earlier this year. Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said the system closes jurisdictional and age-related gaps and encourages collaboration between tribal, state and local law enforcement. The Department of Public Safety will oversee the system, which can be implemented immediately when the law takes effect later this year. Arizona is the fifth state to enact such an alert system.

Registration is now open for the seventh Government-to-Government (G2G) Conference, set for June 4-5 at the Bismarck Event Center, according to the North Dakota Office of the Governor.

The free two-day event is open to the public and aims to strengthen partnerships among tribal, state, federal and private sector leaders. It includes breakout sessions on regional issues and speakers from tribal nations, state government and federal agencies. Gov. Kelly Armstrong is scheduled to deliver welcome remarks on June 4. The conference is hosted by the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission and focuses on collaboration with the state’s five federally recognized tribal nations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued an emergency directive in April to accelerate logging across nearly 60 percent of the Black Hills National Forest, citing wildfire risk as a justification for increased timber production. According to reporting by Grist, the directive follows a March executive order mandating an “immediate expansion” of timber output and allows the Forest Service to bypass some environmental review processes.

NDN Collective, a national Indigenous-rights nonprofit, and other groups criticized the directive, saying it threatens endangered species, reduces carbon storage and violates a 2024 memorandum of understanding with eight Oceti Sakowin Oyate tribal nations. Taylor Gunhammer, an Oglala Lakota Nation member and local organizer with NDN Collective, called the directive “a U-turn” from tribal agreements on forest stewardship.

President Donald Trump’s recent executive order directing the Department of the Interior to create a pathway for federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has raised concerns among tribal leaders about bypassing established procedures. According to NBC News, the order follows campaign promises to support the Lumbees’ long-standing efforts for federal recognition.

Chief Michell Hicks of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Chief Brad KillsCrow of the Delaware Tribe of Indians criticized the move for circumventing the Office of Federal Acknowledgment, which has recognized over 500 tribes through a formal process since 1978. “Don’t try to take a back door,” KillsCrow said. Hicks emphasized the need for a “diligent process,” urging that recognition not become a political tool.

The Administration for Children and Families is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Head Start program, which has provided early learning, health and nutrition, and family support to more than 40 million children and families since 1965. “I am committed to protecting the promise of Head Start,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., noting the program was created by his uncle.

According to Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison, the program continues to evolve to meet modern needs. Head Start currently reaches about 750,000 children annually, including many in rural and tribal communities. It also supports parents through job training, housing assistance and opportunities to shape the program through classroom volunteering and policy councils.

Chickasaw artist Gary Maytubby will showcase handcrafted traditional weapons at the 12th annual Artesian Arts Festival in Sulphur, Oklahoma, on June 7. Maytubby, a retired Chickasaw Telephone Company employee, draws on ancestral knowledge and family teachings to create war clubs, bows, arrows, knives and more using traditional methods and materials.

According to the Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office, Maytubby began learning weapon-making from his uncles at age 7 and returned to the art in retirement. He researches Chickasaw history to ensure authenticity in his work, including crafting arrows with flint-knapped “Chickasaw points” and river cane shafts. Maytubby will enter the festival’s juried competition with a war club and display a range of pieces for public viewing and purchase.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong unintentionally vetoed $35 million allocated for housing programs in North Dakota due to a staff markup error, according to a Thursday statement from his office. The error occurred in Senate Bill 2014, which funds the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and removed $25 million for housing projects and $10 million for homelessness initiatives. Armstrong said he meant to veto a $150,000 grant for a Native American-focused homelessness liaison and that nearby language was mistakenly crossed out.

During a Thursday Industrial Commission meeting, Armstrong said he supports the Housing Incentive Fund and is consulting Legislative Council and lawmakers to avoid a special session. Legislative Council Director John Bjornson said a special session, which would cost about $65,000 per day, may be the only legal remedy. Lawmakers could also consider a new bill to restore funding.

A coalition opposing a multi-state carbon dioxide pipeline said the U.S. House removed language from the budget reconciliation bill that would have allowed federal regulators to override state laws restricting pipeline approvals, according to reporting by South Dakota Searchlight.

South Dakota passed a law this year banning eminent domain for carbon pipelines. The $9 billion Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, which would transport ethanol-plant carbon emissions to a sequestration site in North Dakota, requires eminent domain and has faced two permit rejections from South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission.

Opponents remain concerned about a “fast-track” provision that would let pipeline operators pay $10 million for expedited federal environmental reviews, although that review is not required for the Summit pipeline, South Dakota Searchlight reported.