The Daily Spark

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) criticized former President Donald Trump’s plan to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, warning it would violate federal trust responsibilities and harm Native students. More than 92% of Native students attend public schools, which rely on federal funding for special education, language programs, and school operations. Tribal colleges could also face severe cuts. Schatz called the proposal a “betrayal of a sacred federal promise.”

A North Dakota jury has ordered Greenpeace to pay more than $660 million in damages to Energy Transfer, the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline. The lawsuit alleged Greenpeace spread false claims about the pipeline, contributing to protests, vandalism, and financial losses. Greenpeace argues the case is a strategic attack on free speech and is pursuing an anti-SLAPP lawsuit in the Netherlands. The verdict comes years after mass protests near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation.

On March 19, 2025, Native America Calling highlighted the ongoing challenges Native students face in higher education under the Trump Administration. New policies are pressuring colleges and universities to dismantle scholarship programs, recruitment efforts, and academic initiatives that support Native students, with schools risking federal funding losses and investigations. At least 50 institutions are under scrutiny for practices deemed "race exclusionary." Advocates from organizations like the American Indian College Fund and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium are discussing responses to these changes and the impact on Native education.

The U.S. Senate has introduced the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025, a groundbreaking proposal to secure reliable water access for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The settlement will guarantee over 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water, ensure water infrastructure, and provide economic opportunities for these tribes. Backed by Arizona senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, the bill aims to end decades of litigation, strengthen tribal sovereignty, and secure clean water for future generations.

The recent discovery of Sahela Sangrait's body has drawn attention to the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIW) in South Dakota. Sangrait, missing since August 2024, was found near Hill City. This tragic case underscores the disproportionate violence faced by Native communities across the U.S., including the Black Hills. Organizations like the Red Ribbon Skirt Society, founded by Lily Mendoza, are working to raise awareness, support families, and push for continued conversations to address this crisis.

The 25th Navajo Nation Council has expressed disappointment over the White House’s recent decision to remove references to the Navajo Code Talkers from U.S. military websites. This action follows Executive Orders aimed at limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Speaker Crystalyne Curley condemned the removal, stressing the critical role the Code Talkers played in securing victory in WWII. The Council is engaging with the administration to clarify the decision and ensure the legacy of the Code Talkers remains honored in military history.

A Maryland artist, Jasmine Battle, was sentenced to 24 months of probation and fined $2,500 for violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. Battle misrepresented herself as a Cherokee artist between 2013 and 2020, selling dreamcatchers as authentic Cherokee creations. An investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed she was not enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. Agents also seized feathers from protected birds during a federal search. The case highlights ongoing efforts to protect Native artists from counterfeit claims.

Chairman Thomas Fowler of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin delivered the 21st annual State of the Tribes address at the Wisconsin State Capitol, highlighting public health, education, and sovereignty. He emphasized harm reduction, clean water access, medical marijuana legalization, and increased mental health resources. The Wisconsin Assembly passed three bills, including protections for tribal regalia at graduation and improved reporting on Native language and cultural education programs.

The Eighth Circuit has denied the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s request for a rehearing on its law enforcement jurisdiction case. The court upheld a ruling that a 2023 Minnesota law grants the tribe full authority over its reservation, affirming an 1855 treaty. Mille Lacs County officials had challenged the tribe’s jurisdiction, but the court ruled their appeal moot. The dispute has lasted nearly a decade.

The New York Times recently highlighted the groundbreaking contributions of Louis W. Ballard, a pioneering Native American composer. In 1977, his National Indian Honor Band performance before 50,000 spectators at Kennedy Stadium was a milestone for Native American music. Ballard, known for blending Native and Western classical traditions, faced challenges that continue to impact younger artists. Despite his extensive work as a composer, educator, and activist, his contributions have not been fully recognized.

The legal battle between Greenpeace and pipeline developer Energy Transfer is now in the hands of a jury. The three-week civil trial, which concluded on March 17, 2025, involves allegations that Greenpeace incited destructive acts during the 2016-2017 Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Energy Transfer seeks up to $1 billion in damages. Greenpeace denies these claims, asserting that it supported nonviolent protests led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The jury began deliberations after the final arguments.

Energy Transfer Executive Chairman Kelcy Warren testified that he attempted to negotiate a settlement with Standing Rock Sioux Tribe leaders in December 2016 over the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Warren offered land and a new school, but former tribal chair Dave Archambault II disagrees, stating the meeting focused on de-escalating violence, not settlement. Archambault emphasized the resistance against the pipeline stemmed from broader concerns about Indigenous rights. The case is part of a lawsuit filed by Energy Transfer against Greenpeace regarding protest activities.

The Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh is showcasing the art of Ho-Chunk basket making with its exhibition, "Weaving a Legacy: Ho-Chunk Black Ash Basketry." The display features over 100 works, ranging from early 1900s to contemporary pieces, emphasizing the tradition of black ash basketry. The exhibition also highlights the threat posed by the emerald ash borer to these trees, which are vital to the craft. Curated by Ho-Chunk artist Tom Jones, this exhibition stands as the only one dedicated to preserving this Native art form.

The "Indigenous Whispers" project, founded by Judith Anderson and Christine Michaels, aims to preserve Miami’s Native American heritage by creating a historical trail along the Miami River. The project will use augmented reality to highlight the stories of the Tequesta tribe, who inhabited the area from 500 B.C. to the mid-1700s. Visitors will use smartphones to scan QR codes at 20 stops, learning about the tribe’s lifestyle, commerce, and relationship with the land. The initiative seeks support to develop the technology needed to launch the project.

Sixteen Tribal Nations from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, supported by the Native American Rights Fund, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, urging accountability for BNSF Railway. The case stems from BNSF's violation of an easement agreement with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. A district court ordered the company to disgorge $394 million in profits gained from violating the terms. Tribal leaders argue that holding BNSF accountable is critical for protecting sovereignty and ensuring corporations uphold agreements with Native communities.

On March 17, 2025, tribal leaders and state lawmakers gathered in St. Paul for Sovereignty Day at the Capitol, fostering dialogue and collaboration. The event included discussions on issues such as tribal sovereignty, nuclear power concerns, and the impact of federal funding cuts. Leaders emphasized the importance of "legislative consultation" to ensure ongoing partnerships between state and tribal governments. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith addressed concerns about Medicaid funding cuts, and leaders like Red Lake’s Darrell Seki Sr. urged lawmakers to uphold treaty obligations.

Tribal leaders are sounding the alarm over federal cuts affecting Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs facilities. The Trump administration has canceled leases for 12 IHS clinics and 25 BIA offices, raising concerns about access to healthcare, education, and social services. Leaders say the cuts violate trust obligations and could destabilize essential programs for Native communities.

Tesoro High Plains Pipeline Co. is urging the Eighth Circuit to reject an appeal from members of the Three Affiliated Tribes seeking to intervene in its lawsuit over federal trespassing claims. Tesoro argues the U.S. government adequately represents the landowners' interests and that their involvement would complicate the case. The dispute centers on a 500-mile pipeline crossing Fort Berthold Reservation lands without a valid right-of-way. The federal government does not oppose their intervention.

The U.S. Department of Defense has removed several articles about Navajo Code Talkers from its websites. These articles, which celebrated the Navajo Code Talkers' vital role in securing victories in the Pacific Theater during World War II, were deleted after a 2017 executive order ended federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Other Indigenous American contributions, including profiles of Native veterans and stories about Native American women in the military, have also disappeared. While the U.S. Marines have retained some pages, the removals raise concerns about erasing significant military history.