The Daily Spark

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a petition by Montana's Secretary of State to reverse a state court ruling that two voting laws hindered Native American voters. These laws, related to absentee voting hours and registration deadlines, were ruled unconstitutional by the Montana Supreme Court. The decision marks a key win for Native American advocacy groups and tribal nations.

In slew of revoking existing executive orders, President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 withdrew Executive Order 14049 of October 11, 2021 (White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities).

​​The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is requesting public comments on whether the U.S. should join an international treaty requiring patent applicants to disclose when inventions use Indigenous traditional knowledge or genetic resources, such as medicinal plants. The treaty, adopted in May by the World Intellectual Property Organization, aims to prevent erroneous patents on non-novel inventions. Business groups, including PhRMA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have raised concerns about compliance challenges and potential impacts on innovation.

Comments due: March 18, 2025

Public hearing: April 29, 2025

Researchers in North Dakota have begun digitizing records from a Native American boarding school, aiming to preserve and make the documents more accessible. The project, which includes enrollment logs, letters, and photographs, is part of an effort to illuminate the impacts of the boarding school system on Indigenous communities. This initiative is also seen as a step toward healing and supporting educational efforts for future generations.

John Echohawk, Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), has spent over five decades asserting and defending the critical rights of Indigenous peoples. In a recent appearance on SideBar, Echohawk discussed NARF’s work in areas such as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and the protection of natural resources. Under his leadership, NARF has impacted tens of thousands of Native Americans, achieving victories in voting rights, religious freedom, and land protection. Echohawk has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2023 Thurgood Marshall Award.

Young artists from the Pueblo of Taos are dedicated to preserving their heritage through music, dance, and literature. The Aspen Song Kids, named after their great-great-grandfather, practice daily, speaking Tiwa and performing traditional arts. Their recently published book, The Sacred Spiral, shares cultural stories through paintings and has been presented to tribes across the U.S. The group has traveled widely, including to the Pacific Northwest, to raise awareness about Taos Pueblo traditions. They also continue to perform and engage with their elders, with plans for a second book of poems.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is pushing for a new complaint in its ongoing legal battle over a sacred burial ground in Alabama. The tribe alleges that the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, along with other parties, desecrated the Hickory Ground site by removing the remains of 57 ancestors for a casino project. The dispute has drawn national attention due to the site's historical significance and its place on the National Register of Historic Places. The Muscogee are seeking to halt the casino's operation and restore the site.

Republican Representatives Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) and Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) have introduced the Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act to transfer the power to designate national monuments from the president to Congress. The bill targets the Antiquities Act of 1906, which has been used to protect landmarks such as Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Chuckwalla, and Sáttítla Highlands. Environmental and tribal groups warn this change could jeopardize protections for sacred and historic sites.

A coalition of Louisiana-led states—Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi—and fossil fuel groups, including the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Gulf Energy Alliance, have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration. They are challenging memos that ban new oil and gas leasing across 625 million acres of federal waters, citing economic harm and constitutional overreach.

Demonstrators gathered to call for Leonard Peltier's release in the center of Milan, Italy, on January 15, 2025. Several human rights organizations and prominent Italian intellectuals joined the Milan-based Comitato di Solidarietà con Leonard Peltier (Justice for Leonard Peltier Committee), which has long advocated for his freedom. More than 50 people chanted outside the U.S. Consulate, urging President Joe Biden to grant Peltier a pardon.

Tribal nations and environmental organizations are pushing back against Michigan’s approval of a tunnel project for the Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. The groups argue that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) failed to consider the potential climate change impacts and alternatives to the project. They contend the approval overlooks the environmental risks, including possible oil spills, and ignores the concerns of Indigenous communities whose lands and waters could be affected. Legal proceedings are ongoing, with the Michigan Court of Appeals reviewing the case.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has reinstated a lawsuit filed by a Native American employee alleging race and sex discrimination by a university. The plaintiff claims she was terminated after reporting discriminatory treatment. The appellate court's decision overturns a lower court ruling that had dismissed the case, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.

This development underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing discrimination within academic institutions and highlights the importance of legal avenues for individuals seeking redress.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved a $700 million casino and housing development project by the Pequot Tribe in California. The project will include a new casino, hotel, and residential units, aiming to create economic opportunities for the tribe and the surrounding community. The approval marks a significant step in the tribe’s efforts to expand its economic base and enhance self-sufficiency. The project is expected to provide job opportunities and bolster the region’s economy.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has finalized a new rule aimed at simplifying the federal recognition process for Native tribes. The updated rule is designed to reduce bureaucratic delays and make it easier for tribes to obtain recognition, which is important for gaining access to federal resources, services, and protections. The new policy outlines clearer criteria and establishes a more consistent, transparent process. Advocates view this change as a positive move for supporting tribal sovereignty and improving resources for unrecognized tribes.

The city of Tacoma and the Puyallup Tribe are negotiating to resolve a dispute regarding a 24-hour emergency shelter for individuals in crisis. The shelter, operated by the tribe, was set to open in 2024 but has faced pushback over jurisdictional and safety concerns. Both parties are working towards a settlement that would balance tribal sovereignty with city regulations. The resolution aims to ensure the shelter’s success while providing essential services to the community.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's Game and Fish Department has resumed its annual buffalo roundup after a year-long break, aimed at supporting the tribe's efforts to manage its bison population. The tribe had paused the roundup due to logistical challenges but is now moving forward with plans to gather and relocate buffalo to grazing lands. The roundup is an important cultural and ecological project, as the buffalo is central to the tribe’s heritage, providing food and materials. The tribe’s efforts are also contributing to ecological restoration and sustainability.

Central Washington University (CWU) has opened a new exhibit celebrating Indigenous knowledge and culture. The exhibit showcases the rich traditions, practices, and perspectives of Native communities, with a focus on how Indigenous knowledge has contributed to environmental sustainability and cultural preservation. It serves as an educational resource for students and visitors, fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous contributions to modern society.

The Biden administration, in collaboration with five Native American tribes, has finalized a groundbreaking resource management plan for Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. This plan integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and ensures that Tribal leadership plays a key role in the stewardship of the monument. The new framework marks a significant step in recognizing Indigenous knowledge and authority over cultural and natural resources.

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld North Dakota’s legislative redistricting plan, which includes two Native-majority subdistricts. These districts were designed to ensure fair representation for Native communities, particularly the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Nation. The decision reinforces the importance of tribal voices in state governance and complies with the Voting Rights Act.