The Daily Spark

Leonard Peltier (Ojibwe/Lakota), 80, recently participated in a wet plate photography session with Bismarck-based artist Shane Balkowitsch. Peltier, granted clemency by President Joe Biden, returned to Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in February after nearly 50 years of incarceration. The session, held at Sky Dance Casino & Resort, was facilitated by NDN Collective’s Holly Cook Macarro. One of the portraits, titled Clemency, was selected for the Library of Congress collection.

Yukon Minister of Education Jeanie McLean marked National Indigenous Languages Day by highlighting efforts to preserve Yukon First Nations languages in Canada. The territorial government invests $1.19 million annually in the Yukon Native Language Centre to support language learning and preservation. Programs in Yukon schools allow students to earn credits for learning their language from Elders and Knowledge Keepers. McLean encouraged all Yukoners to support Indigenous language efforts.

As federal environmental priorities change, sovereign tribal nations continue to lead efforts in land, water, and air protection. Native nations have long been at the forefront of environmental stewardship, from enforcing clean air protections to advocating for dam removal to restore salmon populations. Despite funding cuts under the Trump administration, tribes remain committed to scientific research and sustainability initiatives. Their legal sovereignty allows them to pursue long-term environmental strategies that benefit both Indigenous communities and the broader public.

The Heard Museum in Phoenix has unveiled its 2025 event schedule, focusing on family-friendly programming aimed at children and parents. Key offerings include the Heardlings program, which launched in 2024, providing a dedicated space for kids to engage with art and culture. In addition to family events, the museum will host First Friday celebrations, curator talks, and performances. Highlights for 2025 include a Bob Haozous retrospective, Día del Niño celebrations, and free summer Saturdays with art activities. These events aim to foster intergenerational learning and deepen connections to Indigenous art and culture. For more details, visit the Heard Museum website.

A Washington appeals court ruled that Lexington Insurance Co. does not owe business-loss coverage to the Tulalip Tribes after COVID-19 shutdowns impacted their casino. The court found that the virus did not cause direct physical damage to the property, upholding a lower court’s dismissal of the tribe’s claim. Similar cases in other courts have also rejected arguments that COVID-19 contamination qualifies as physical loss under insurance policies.

A coalition of 112 civil rights groups is urging Congress to reject the SAVE Act, which would require in-person proof of citizenship to register to vote. Native American advocates warn the bill would disproportionately impact Indigenous voters, many of whom lack traditional addresses or easy access to required documents. Similar laws have previously blocked thousands from registering. A congressional hearing on the bill was held Monday.

The White House’s rollback of National Environmental Policy Act regulations is drawing concerns from local and tribal officials, who warn it could weaken environmental protections and lead to legal uncertainty. The National Tribal Air Association says the change threatens tribal sovereignty by reducing transparency in federal project approvals. Environmental groups and transportation agencies have also raised alarms. The White House has not responded to requests for comment.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has temporarily suspended a gaming eligibility determination for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ $700 million casino project in Vallejo, Calif. The agency cited concerns that it had not fully reviewed evidence related to the "restored lands" exception under federal law. While the tribe’s land remains in trust, officials are accepting additional legal analysis until May 30. The suspension follows lawsuits from three California tribes challenging the project’s approval.

A federal judge has granted the U.S. government until May 30 to file an amicus brief in Osage Nation’s legal battle over its reservation status. The tribe is challenging a 2009 ruling that declared its reservation disestablished, citing the Supreme Court’s 2020 McGirt decision. The Oklahoma Tax Commission opposes the move, arguing that vacating the ruling could have major tax implications. The case could impact tribal sovereignty, taxation, and law enforcement.

A D.C. federal judge dismissed the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s lawsuit seeking to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline, ruling the case was filed too soon and lacked a clear request for relief. While the tribe has fought the pipeline’s operation for years, the judge determined it must wait until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes its court-ordered environmental review. The decision prolongs the tribe’s legal battle, leaving the pipeline operational for now.

Hundreds gathered at San Carlos High School on March 29, 2025, to honor Emily Pike, a 14-year-old girl who was unalived after running away from her Mesa group home. Family and community members shared memories of Emily, describing her as kind-hearted, creative, and passionate about art. The memorial service follows a growing call for justice, as no suspects have been identified. The community also highlighted the broader issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The San Carlos Apache Tribe and lawmakers are pushing for change.

For decades, U.S. tribes have struggled to access critical health data needed to protect their communities. Despite being sovereign nations, they often face roadblocks when requesting health statistics from state and federal agencies. Advocates say data sovereignty is essential for addressing health disparities, from disease outbreaks to chronic conditions.

Some states, like Washington, have begun to share data with tribes, but many still refuse, citing privacy concerns. Without this information, tribal leaders argue, they can't properly allocate resources or track the impact of health interventions.

As some colleges cancel Indigenous graduation ceremonies, Native scholarship organizations are ensuring students’ cultures remain celebrated. Native Forward Scholars Fund, alongside the American Indian College Fund, AISES, and Cobell Scholarships, is hosting a virtual graduation regalia walk. Native graduates are invited to share photos and videos showcasing their moccasins, ribbon skirts, beadwork, and other cultural regalia. This online event highlights the strength, resilience, and achievements of Native students.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe is demanding an investigation into Arizona’s state-licensed group homes after the death of 14-year-old Emily Pike. Pike, who ran away from the Sacred Journey group home in January, was found unalived weeks later. The tribe says at least 30 children have fled the same facility in recent years and is urging lawmakers to strengthen protections for Native youth in state care. A $75,000 reward is being offered for information.

As the Supreme Court reviews the constitutionality of the FCC’s telecom subsidy program, House Republicans signal readiness for legislative action. If justices rule against the current funding structure, Congress may enact a short-term fix to maintain subsidies for rural broadband, low-income phone services, and school connectivity. The long-term debate may expand funding responsibilities to tech companies. A ruling is expected by June.

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has reintroduced the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act, which would create Georgia’s first national park. The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Raphael Warnock (D) and Jon Ossoff (D), along with Reps. Austin Scott (R) and Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D), would expand protections for the ancestral lands and burial mounds of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. If passed, it would also establish the first national park co-managed by a removed tribe.

The Koi Nation of Northern California is asking a federal court to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the Interior Department’s decision to take 70 acres into trust for its proposed casino and hotel project. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria argue the project threatens their ancestral land and cultural artifacts. The lawsuits have been consolidated as FIGR seeks to reverse the land trust decision.

More than 300 local leaders are urging Congress and the Trump administration to reject proposals to sell public lands and reduce national monuments. In a letter to federal officials, the leaders emphasized the economic, environmental, and cultural importance of these lands, including Indigenous sacred sites. The letter warns against weakened protections, increased fossil fuel development, and threats to the Antiquities Act.

A divided Ninth Circuit panel has denied the Trump administration’s request to stay an injunction requiring the reinstatement of about 16,000 probationary federal employees across six agencies. The court found the administration unlikely to succeed in its argument that the firings were not directed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The case includes advocacy groups such as Vote Vets Action Fund, which argued the mass terminations disrupted government services. The administration is seeking an emergency stay from the U.S. Supreme Court.