The Daily Spark

Oregon House Bill 3198, sponsored by Rep. Tawna Sanchez, will be heard this afternoon and, if passed, will require the Oregon Department of Justice to study missing and murdered Indigenous people. The study's findings will be submitted to the state Legislature by September 2026. The bill is part of ongoing efforts to address the crisis of violence against Indigenous communities.

The Department of Defense has canceled official observances of National Native American Heritage Month, citing concerns that such celebrations could divide the military and threaten mission execution. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in guidance issued on January 31, argued that celebrating racial, gender, and cultural heritage detracts from the focus on the character of service. Native American military service has long been recognized, with a notable contribution from the Code Talkers in past conflicts.

The Catawba Nation has signed its first compact under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program (TTSGP), making it the fifth tribe to enter into such an agreement. The compact grants the tribe greater authority over federal transportation funding, improving safety and connectivity in their community. This milestone follows 17 months of negotiations with USDOT officials.

A coalition of tribal organizations is urging the administration to avoid misclassifying tribal programs as diversity or environmental justice initiatives that could face cuts under recent executive orders. In a letter to President Trump and congressional leaders, the groups emphasized that tribal funding is legally mandated under trust and treaty obligations, not discretionary. They called for continued consultation and dedicated tribal offices within federal agencies.

A coalition of tribal organizations is calling on the administration to ensure recent executive actions do not undermine tribal sovereignty or disrupt federal funding for essential programs. While the Office of Management and Budget rescinded a funding freeze, concerns remain over how agencies will implement policies affecting healthcare, education, and economic development in tribal communities. The coalition emphasizes that these funds are legal obligations, not discretionary aid.

American Indians in North Dakota die, on average, more than 22 years younger than white residents, according to a study analyzing pre-pandemic mortality data. Researchers from the University of North Dakota found that between 2010 and 2019, the median age at death for American Indian males was 55, compared to 77 for white males. For females, the median age at death was 62 for American Indians and 85 for white residents. The study, which used death certificate data, revealed significantly higher all-cause mortality rates for American Indians across all age groups and both sexes. The leading causes of death for American Indians in North Dakota during this period were heart disease (17.8%), cancer (15.2%), and accidents (12.5%), mirroring national trends but occurring at disproportionately higher rates. Researchers concluded that approaches involving prevention, policy changes, and culturally sensitive healthcare are needed to address these disparities, emphasizing the importance of centering tribal voices and organizations in these efforts.

The proposed Waukegan Potawatomi Casino is arguing in the Seventh Circuit that a recent Illinois Supreme Court ruling strengthens its claim that the city of Waukegan intentionally discriminated against it during the 2019 casino licensing process. The city denies wrongdoing, citing sovereign immunity and past court rulings. The case could impact future tribal gaming projects in Illinois.

Interim U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. has pledged support for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), offering legal action against those who “impede” its work. The move comes amid lawsuits challenging DOGE’s transparency and access to federal data. Sen. Elizabeth Warren warned that DOGE’s authority could compromise Americans’ private financial information. Advocacy groups and unions have sued the Treasury Department over data-sharing concerns.

A group of Alaska rural carriers is urging the FCC not to require tribal consent for federally funded broadband projects, arguing it could delay service to non-tribal residents. The Alaska Remote Carrier Coalition said such a policy would give tribes "veto power" and described it as a holdover from the Biden administration’s DEI policies. The FCC is considering new rules as it transitions from the Alaska Plan to the Alaska Connect Fund.

A coalition of 24 tribal organizations is calling on the Trump administration to ensure recent executive orders do not undermine tribal sovereignty or disrupt federal funding tied to trust and treaty obligations. In a letter to federal leaders, the coalition urged the administration to protect tribal programs from misclassification under diversity and environmental initiatives. The groups emphasized the need for direct government-to-government consultation.

The Coquille Indian Tribe is defending its federal land-into-trust approval for a Medford, Oregon, casino, arguing in court that attempts to overturn the decision are unprecedented. Three tribes from Oregon and California claim the casino violates federal laws and threatens their gaming revenue. A federal judge previously denied a request to block the project. The Coquille Tribe maintains the approval follows federal guidelines.

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding, ruling the move may be unconstitutional. The pause, affecting up to $3 trillion, was challenged by nonprofits, including the National Council of Nonprofits and the American Public Health Association. The ruling follows a similar decision from a Rhode Island court. The funding freeze impacted grants for research and services for people with disabilities.

North Dakota lawmakers have passed House Bill 1259, which proposes adopting standard time year-round. The bill, introduced by Representative Roger Maki of Watford City, passed 55-37 following debates. Maki brought the bill forward after hearing concerns from constituents in western North Dakota about the disruption caused by the time change twice a year. Currently, only Hawaii and Arizona do not observe daylight saving time, and the Uniform Time Act of 1966 allows states to opt out.

The Boone Conservancy, a Northern Kentucky nonprofit, has successfully acquired 350 acres of Ohio River shoreline in Petersburg. The $2 million purchase, funded through community contributions, ensures the protection of valuable land that includes Native American sites, Revolutionary War-era ruins, and a burial ground of formerly enslaved individuals. Located near the I-275 bridge, the site features wetlands, forested areas, and 1.3 miles of riverfront. This acquisition highlights the impact of public-private partnerships in land conservation.

The Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute has selected its third cohort for the Brave Heart Fellowship, a program empowering Native youth to protect lands and food sovereignty. Fellows such as Danielle Frank(Hupa & Yurok) will advocate on issues like hydroelectric impacts. Supported by micro-grants and community projects, the program fosters leadership through cultural and environmental stewardship. Fellows like Giselle Alvarezand Alexio Lira will engage in advocacy efforts, ensuring Native voices in climate action.

New Mexico Senate Republicans have introduced a tipline for reporting federal actions targeting legal residents, amid growing concerns from tribal communities about ICE questioning their members. The Mescalero Apache Tribe reported an incident where an ICE agent questioned a tribal member, raising concerns over racial profiling and violations of tribal sovereignty. The state's Congressional delegation condemned such actions, calling for protection of tribal sovereignty and recognition of tribal IDs as proof of citizenship.

The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes on Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation are advocating for control over the Big Wind River amid decreasing snowpack and rising temperatures. The tribes aim to preserve water for agriculture, culture, and spirituality, challenging proposed legislation like the Pilot Butte Power Plant Conveyance Act, which they view as a threat to their sovereignty. Legal and political battles over water rights continue as climate change accelerates the urgency of their fight.

The Choctaw and Chickasaw nations are actively working to preserve their languages, with approximately 250 Choctaw and 50 Chickasaw fluent speakers remaining. Both nations are providing educational resources to create new speakers and ensure the survival of their languages. The Choctaw Nation Language Department and Chickasha Academy aim to share the language across generations, helping maintain cultural heritage.

A bill introduced by Rep. Tracy Sharp to allow non-tribal members to hunt on private land within the Flathead Indian Reservation has sparked opposition from tribal leaders and wildlife managers. Opponents argue that the bill threatens tribal sovereignty, violates treaty rights, and could disrupt successful tribal-state agreements. The bill aims to expand hunting opportunities for private landowners but has raised concerns about the impact on Native communities and long-standing cooperative agreements.