The Daily Spark

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment, and other conservation groups have filed to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s decision to end new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. Wyoming and Montana filed the suit to revive the coal industry. The groups argue the ban protects public lands, water, and communities from mining impacts, while supporting a shift toward renewable energy. The region supplies over 40% of U.S. coal production.

Brenna Clani-Washinawatok, a member of the Navajo Nation, will become the first Native American to serve as a judge for New Mexico’s Eleventh Judicial District, covering San Juan and McKinley counties. Appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, she will succeed Judge Daylene Marsh. Clani-Washinawatok, a fifth-generation Diné weaver, has previously served as a child support hearing officer and domestic violence commissioner.

A Rhode Island federal judge is questioning the Trump administration's authority to freeze obligated funds across federal programs. The temporary restraining order will remain in place as 22 states and the District of Columbia seek a preliminary injunction. According to court documents, Judge John McConnell noted the administration has not provided evidence of compliance with constitutional requirements. The case raises concerns about executive power over funds appropriated by Congress.

U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, vice chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, led 13 Democratic colleagues in urging the Department of Homeland Security to end what they call wrongful Immigration and Customs Enforcement searches and interrogations of Tribal members. In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the lawmakers said ICE’s actions since President Donald Trump’s executive order challenging birthright citizenship have stoked fear among Native communities and violate federal trust and treaty responsibilities.

The senators requested that DHS issue clear guidance and training for ICE agents on acceptable forms of Tribal identification, consult with Tribal governments, and provide answers by March 4, 2025. They noted that Native citizens may carry only Tribal identification, which should be recognized as valid proof of U.S. citizenship, and raised concerns about agents’ lack of understanding or respect for Native rights. The letter highlights the potential impact on Tribes whose lands cross international borders and emphasizes Congress’ authority and Supreme Court rulings affirming the citizenship status of Native Americans born in the United States.

Recent layoffs at the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service are raising concerns about the protection of culturally significant Native sites. The cuts impact about 1,000 NPS employees and 3,400 Forest Service staff, affecting park maintenance, educational programs, and conservation efforts. Sites like Effigy Mounds National Monument and Yellowstone National Park are already feeling the effects. Tribal leaders warn that reduced staffing could harm partnerships and preservation efforts.

Jesse Laslovich has stepped down as U.S. Attorney for Montana after nearly two years in office. Appointed by President Joe Biden, Laslovich focused on prosecuting drug and violent crimes, including major cases in Indian Country. His office worked with tribal and federal partners to combat trafficking and protect civil rights. Under his leadership, firearm prosecutions increased, and initiatives addressing hate crimes and fraud were launched. His departure leaves the position open as federal law enforcement efforts continue.

The Native Village of Eklutna has asked a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Anchorage residents seeking to block its 58,000-square-foot casino. The tribe argues it has sovereign immunity and is a required party that cannot be sued without consent. The lawsuit challenges the tribe’s legal status and claims the land is not eligible for gaming. Eklutna officials say federal law recognizes their sovereignty and economic interests. The case raises broader issues of tribal self-governance in Alaska.

Energy industry leaders and legal experts are seeking clarity after former President Donald Trump issued an executive order limiting the independence of federal agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The order subjects FERC’s major rules to White House review and could allow presidential override of legal decisions. Critics argue this threatens regulatory stability, impacting long-term energy investments, including projects affecting tribal lands. FERC’s response is expected at its next meeting.

The Yakama Nation and the city of Toppenish have settled a lawsuit over a 24-hour emergency cold weather shelter on reservation land. The city acknowledged the shelter is under the tribe’s jurisdiction and agreed to support efforts to build a permanent facility. The Yakama Nation plans to establish a long-term shelter within five years. The settlement reaffirms tribal sovereignty in governing its lands and services.

Conservation groups have sued former President Donald Trump, arguing he lacks authority to revoke prior withdrawals of federal waters from oil and gas leasing. The lawsuits challenge Trump’s executive order aiming to undo protections for millions of acres in the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and Arctic waters. Many tribes and coastal communities depend on these ecosystems for subsistence and cultural preservation. A federal court previously ruled against a similar Trump action in 2019.

Conservation groups have sued the U.S. Forest Service, seeking to block approval of the Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho’s Boise and Payette national forests. The lawsuit argues the agency failed to assess environmental harm, including risks to salmon, bull trout and wolverines. The mine, backed by $75 million in U.S. defense funding, is expected to impact over 3,600 acres of public land. Perpetua Resources says the project will restore habitat and provide jobs.

A North Dakota state senator’s comments about the proposed Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians casino in Grand Forks sparked backlash. Sen. Diane Larson (R-Bismarck) questioned the funding source, speculating it could be tied to drug cartels, despite the tribe's clarification that the $300 million project would be financed through private and tribal funds. Larson's remarks led to strong criticism, with some Republican colleagues calling the comments inappropriate. The proposed casino, which aimed to revitalize the tribe’s economy, was ultimately voted down 29-1.

In Southern Oregon, efforts to restore wetlands are helping to revive wocus plants, a vital food for the Klamath Tribes. These plants, known for their nutritious bulbs, have been threatened by agricultural drainage and pollution. The Riddle family, along with local farmers and organizations, are working to restore habitats and reintroduce wocus through innovative techniques like planting in biodegradable pots. The project highlights the connection between wetland restoration and tribal food sovereignty.

A federal funding pause is jeopardizing the “Northern Plains Tribal Solar for All” program, an initiative designed to lower energy costs and create jobs in Native communities. Led by Indigenized Energy and the Tribal Renewable Energy Coalition, the program aimed to provide solar power to households across Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Advocates say the delay threatens tribal economies and energy sovereignty, calling for urgent action to restore funding.

Dr. Matthew Costello, a Wisconsin native and chief education officer at the White House Historical Association, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the White House. Founded by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961, the WHHA collects artifacts, supports research, and educates the public. Costello, who grew up in Muskego, leads efforts to encourage new scholarship and make White House history more accessible to all.

The Bureau of Indian Education is laying off 40 employees, including Communications Specialist Paige Willett, as part of broader federal job cuts affecting Indian Country. Tribal leaders warn the layoffs will have widespread economic and social effects, particularly in Oklahoma, where multiple tribal schools and BIA offices operate. It remains unclear if some cuts will be reversed, but officials say the reductions threaten promised services to Indigenous nations.

The Nebraska State Capitol will be illuminated in orange on Feb. 27 to honor survivors and descendants of the Genoa Indian Industrial School. Originally scheduled for Feb. 20, the lighting was postponed due to unsafe roof conditions. The school, which operated from 1884 to 1934, was part of a federal effort to forcibly assimilate Native children. Officials say the event acknowledges this painful history while recognizing survivors' resilience.

Sierra Club and Public Citizen are urging the D.C. Circuit to reject the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision to review only a 1,000-foot section of the 157-mile Saguaro Connector Pipeline. The groups argue FERC lacked evidence to support its claim that the pipeline would transport only Texas-produced gas, which affects its jurisdiction. They say the project should be reviewed in full, as its sole purpose is to export gas to Mexico. The case is ongoing.

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is seeking to file an amicus brief in a lawsuit over a proposed tide-gate project that federal officials say threatens salmon populations. A Skagit County dike district opposes the tribe’s request, arguing its treaty rights are not central to the case. The tribe says its perspective is vital, as Chinook salmon are crucial to its culture and subsistence. A judge previously denied the tribe’s request to intervene directly. The case is ongoing.