The Daily Spark

A new Native American curriculum and documentary film explore the life and legacy of Billy Caldwell, a leader and diplomat of the Potawatomi Nation in the 19th century. The resources aim to educate students and the public about Caldwell’s efforts to secure land and protect his people amidst U.S. westward expansion. The project sheds light on an often-overlooked figure in Chicago’s history.

Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a U.S. Cabinet secretary, is reflecting on her legacy as Secretary of the Interior. A member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, Haaland has focused on climate action, advancing tribal sovereignty, and addressing the painful history of Indian boarding schools. Her leadership has brought critical Native issues to the forefront of federal policy.

The University of Mary, in partnership with United Tribes Technical College, will host the 2025 Mid-Winter Powwow on Sunday, Jan. 19. The event will feature Mass, a buffalo feed and a contest powwow, celebrating Indigenous culture in North Dakota.

Cost of Attendance

• General Public: $5
• Mary, UTTC, and BSC Students/Faculty/Staff: Free with ID
• Under 5 or Over 65: Free
• Vendor Booth: $150

Sacred Pipe Resource Center will host Family Game Night tonight at 5:30 p.m. Participants are invited to join in working on puzzles and enjoy time with friends and family. The event aims to provide a safe space for community members to interact and meet new people.

A first-of-its-kind Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) database and map has been launched for Arizona. This project, developed by Arizona Luminaria, focuses on tracking cases of missing and murdered Indigenous individuals, particularly women and girls. The database includes nearly 100 cases spanning decades, primarily involving the Navajo Nation. The initiative aims to raise awareness and provide valuable resources to families and communities affected by these crimes.

More than 250 tribal leaders and Indigenous organizations have signed a letter urging President Joe Biden to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier, citing concerns over his health and fairness in his trial. Peltier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, has been imprisoned for nearly 50 years in connection with the 1975 deaths of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Advocates emphasize the need for justice and healing in Native communities.

Authorities have arrested a suspect in the decades-old murder of Terri McCauley, a 22-year-old Native woman from Sioux City, Iowa. McCauley was found strangled in her apartment in September 1983. According to police, advancements in DNA technology led to the recent breakthrough, culminating in the arrest of 66-year-old Danny Ray Abshear. The case highlights ongoing efforts to bring justice to victims and their families, even after decades.

Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming have announced enhanced measures to fight human trafficking, including specialized training for employees to identify and respond to trafficking indicators. The initiative aligns with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and underscores their commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, including Native communities. According to company officials, these efforts aim to foster safer environments across their properties.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque is hosting the 44th Annual Native American Student Art Show, showcasing works by Indigenous youth from kindergarten through 12th grade across New Mexico. The exhibition, themed "Water is life," features diverse artistic interpretations emphasizing water's significance in Native communities. Open since Nov. 23, the show runs through Feb. 6, offering visitors a chance to appreciate and support the creativity of young Native artists.

The Koi Nation has announced plans to build a $600 million casino near Windsor, California, aiming to boost tribal economic development. However, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have raised concerns about the proposal, questioning its environmental and community impact. Tribal representatives are urging further dialogue to address potential issues and ensure the project aligns with community and cultural values.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is collaborating with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) to improve fish passage on the Umatilla River in Oregon. The project focuses on restoring habitat and migration routes for salmon and lamprey, species vital to the tribes’ cultural and ecological heritage. Tribal leaders emphasized the importance of this partnership in sustaining traditional fishing practices and environmental stewardship.

Rich Holschuh has stepped down as chair of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs (VCNAA). Holschuh, who served since 2022, cited personal reasons for his resignation. His term was set to expire in February 2026. The VCNAA plays a crucial role in advising the governor and legislature on issues affecting Native American communities in Vermont.

Accessing documents related to investigations on North Dakota's tribal lands has proven challenging, with delays and difficulty obtaining key materials. Tribes and advocates seeking transparency have expressed frustration, as the process impacts efforts to address unresolved issues on these lands. This lack of access raises concerns about accountability and tribal rights.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations for the Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) to fill open delegate positions across various IHS Areas and national at-large roles. These delegates will collaborate with HHS leadership to address healthcare priorities impacting Tribes and AI/AN populations. Nominations are open until January 16, 2025. Elected or appointed Tribal officials may submit nominations.

The Association on American Indian Affairs will host the 10th Annual Repatriation Conference from Nov. 14-16 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The conference focuses on the protection and return of Native ancestors, cultural items, and sacred lands. This year's theme, “Past, Present, and Future,” will explore collaborative solutions to repatriation challenges. Tribes, museums, and federal agencies will gather to strengthen relationships and advance Indigenous rights.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has finalized its leadership and membership for the 119th Congress. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will serve as Chair, with Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) as Vice Chair.

The bipartisan committee, which oversees issues related to Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, includes the following members:

Majority (Republican):

• Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chair
• Senator John Hoeven (R-North Dakota)
• Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana)
• Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
• Senator Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota)
• Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)

Minority (Democratic):

• Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Vice Chair
• Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington)
• Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada)
• Senator Tina Smith (D-Minnesota)
• Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

Chair Murkowski has indicated her leadership will focus on advancing economic development, healthcare, and education initiatives within Indigenous communities.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has granted final approval for the Coquille Indian Tribe's plan to establish a Class II gaming facility in Medford, Oregon, marking the state's first off-reservation casino. This decision concludes a nearly 13-year process, allowing the tribe to convert a former bowling alley into a gaming venue.

The project has faced opposition from neighboring tribes, including the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Karuk Tribe, and the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, who have expressed concerns about potential impacts on their gaming operations.

Executives of two Minnesota tribal casinos, Grand Casino Hinckley and Grand Casino Mille Lacs, are urging a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the commercial casino Running Aces. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and state gambling laws, claiming the tribal casinos’ Class III gaming activities provide an unfair competitive advantage.

The tribal executives argue sovereign immunity shields the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which owns the casinos, from being joined in the lawsuit. They cite a recent Ninth Circuit ruling in a similar case as precedent for dismissal.

Oral arguments on the motion are scheduled for Jan. 28 in U.S. District Court in Minnesota.

Native Americans in Washington state are stopped by law enforcement at disproportionately higher rates than other racial groups, according to an investigation by Investigate Midwest. The report analyzed traffic policing data, revealing significant racial disparities.