The Daily Spark

Congress has voted to repeal the EPA’s rule enforcing a methane emissions fee on oil and gas companies, sending the measure to President Trump, who is expected to sign it. The Senate approved the resolution 52-47 after the House passed it 220-206. While the Inflation Reduction Act mandates the fee, the EPA can no longer enforce it under the overturned rule. Legal challenges are ongoing, and industry groups are pushing for full repeal of the fee through budget legislation.

The Trump administration has asked the First Circuit to allow enforcement of an executive order restricting birthright citizenship while it appeals a Massachusetts judge’s injunction blocking the order. The DOJ argues that states lack standing to challenge the order and claims failing to enforce it harms national security. Judge Leo Sorokin ruled the order contradicts over a century of legal precedent under the 14th Amendment. Courts in multiple states have issued similar injunctions.

The Shawnee Tribe is advocating for control over the former Shawnee Indian Mission in Fairway, Kansas, aiming to preserve the site’s history and address concerns about its current operations. The tribe’s second attempt to reclaim the land, where Native children endured assimilation practices from 1839-1862, faces opposition from the Kansas Historical Society, Fairway, and a nonprofit managing the site. A bill introduced by Rep. Tom Kessler would transfer the land to the Shawnee Tribe with stipulations, including prohibiting casino development. The tribe plans a multi-million dollar restoration, emphasizing cultural preservation.

The 2025 UNITY Midyear Conference brought together a record number of Native youth, advisors, and tribal leaders for a transformative four-day event in Phoenix. Participants honed digital storytelling skills, creating PSAs and advocacy campaigns to address community issues. Keynote speakers like actor Kusem Goodwin and journalist Mary Kim Titla inspired youth to amplify their voices. The conference also fostered global dialogue, with Indigenous youth leaders from across the world sharing insights on leadership, governance, and cultural preservation. UNITY's commitment to youth empowerment continues through programs and upcoming events, including the National UNITY Conference in San Diego this summer.

The ACLU of North Dakota is advising Indigenous residents, especially those near the Fort Berthold Reservation, to carry both state and tribal IDs amid reports of heightened ICE activity. With concerns over mistaken arrests, the ACLU stresses that having proof of U.S. citizenship could prevent wrongful detention. In response, 15 U.S. senators have called for better training of ICE agents to recognize tribal IDs. For more info, stay informed on your rights and the situation in your community.

The University of Tulsa has been awarded $500,000 by the Mellon Foundation for a three-year research, teaching, and public humanities initiative titled "Sovereignty and Democracy in Indian Country." This project will explore Oklahoma's unique cultural geography, particularly focusing on the intersections of state, federal, and tribal sovereignties. It will bring together artists, historians, and leaders to examine the history of democracy in the Americas and imagine a thriving future. This work will be driven by the aftermath of the 2020 Supreme Court decision McGirt v. Oklahoma, which redefined the relationship between the U.S. and Native nations. UTulsa President Brad Carson, a Cherokee citizen, supports these efforts to explore the institution's own complex history, including research into the founding of the school as the Presbyterian School for Indian Girls. The Mellon grant is part of an initiative involving 30 universities and aims to foster inclusion and democratic values.

The Department of Health and Human Services has issued an Advisory Opinion (25-01) confirming that recent Executive Orders do not alter the Department’s legal responsibility to provide healthcare to American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes. The opinion emphasizes that trust and treaty obligations remain intact despite the impact of the EOs (EO 14151; EO 14168; EO 14173). The National Indian Health Board supports this stance, urging continued protection of Tribal Nations' political status. The HHS Advisory Opinion follows the Department of Interior’s alignment with these protections.

A Montana federal judge has ruled that the Bureau of Indian Affairs is liable for the 2015 sexual assault of a Northern Cheyenne woman by former BIA officer Dana Bullcoming. The court ordered the agency to pay $1.6 million in damages, citing its failure to investigate reports of misconduct. Bullcoming, who was convicted in 2018, assaulted the woman while responding to a call. The ruling follows a Ninth Circuit decision that reinstated the case, questioning whether Bullcoming acted within the scope of his employment.

Two Democratic lawmakers are demanding transparency from the U.S. Department of the Interior on orders by Secretary Doug Burgum to expand domestic energy production. In a letter Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman and Sen. Martin Heinrich criticized the DOI for missing a deadline to disclose action plans, raising concerns about potential rollbacks of national monument protections. Conservation groups say 13.5 million acres, including critical wildlife habitats and tribal lands, are under review.

Chicago Women in Trades has sued the Trump administration, arguing that executive orders restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs violate the Constitution. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Illinois federal court, claims the orders are vague, unlawfully limit free speech, and improperly withhold congressionally approved funding. The nonprofit, which supports women in skilled trades, says the orders could force it to abandon its mission. The administration has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

The White House has ordered federal agencies to submit plans for large-scale layoffs by mid-March, targeting "unproductive" and "unnecessary" functions to maximize efficiency. Probationary employees and political appointees are prioritized in the cuts. Union leaders have raised concerns about the impact on essential services, including programs vital to Native American communities, such as education and infrastructure. Agencies will also be required to reduce reliance on contractors. The restructuring is part of efforts to streamline federal operations and improve service delivery.

A historic transfer of Yellowstone bison from the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes in Montana to the Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, and Lean Man First Nations in Canada took place on January 31. The animals were welcomed with ceremonies, songs, and dances, marking a significant cultural and spiritual moment for the tribes. After a year of planning and overcoming border challenges, the transfer symbolizes the restoration of bison to Indigenous lands and strengthens the bond between these communities.

The Arizona Two Spirit Powwow returned to Phoenix on Saturday, celebrating Indigenous LGBTQ+ and two-spirit people in a day of cultural expression. Hosted at South Mountain Community College, the event featured dancers, drum groups, and a sense of unity for those who identify as two-spirit. Founder Sheila Lopez emphasized the powwow as a safe space for individuals to express themselves freely. The event highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transgender and two-spirit communities, underscoring their resilience. The gathering also provides a platform for the cultural significance of two-spirit identities across different tribes.

President Trump’s executive order to halt funding from the Inflation Reduction Act has paused vital conservation programs for the Colorado River. Among the programs affected is $4 billion allocated to support water-saving efforts in the river’s basin, including payments to farmers, tribes, and local governments. The move puts at risk key water conservation initiatives aimed at sustaining reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Water experts warn that this disruption could undermine years of collaborative efforts to safeguard the river’s flow and its crucial role in agriculture and hydropower.

Museums, universities, and federal agencies returned over 10,300 Native American ancestors in 2024 under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, marking the third-highest repatriation year. Efforts, led by the U.S. Department of the Interior, continue with new regulations and state support. Despite progress, around 90,000 ancestors remain to be repatriated. Institutions like the Arizona State Museum are seeking additional funding to advance this vital work.

For more details, visit ProPublica's updated database.

Minnesota tribal nations are preparing to enter the adult-use cannabis industry, leveraging first-mover advantages to boost economic development. Mitchel Chargo, chair of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP’s national cannabis practice, said cannabis could generate revenue for education, health care, and infrastructure while creating jobs in remote areas. However, he noted challenges in aligning tribal and state regulations. State officials acknowledge tribes will play a key role in supplying the market.

The Pueblo of Acoma and the Pueblo of Laguna are seeking to intervene in the Navajo Nation’s lawsuit challenging a Biden administration order that bans new mineral leasing near Chaco Canyon. The pueblos argue the lawsuit threatens their cultural and historical ties to the land. The Navajo Nation opposes the 20-year ban, citing financial hardship for tribal allottees, while the pueblos emphasize the need to protect sacred sites. A federal judge will decide whether they can join the case.

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is asking the Eighth Circuit to reconsider its decision to vacate and remand a dispute over law enforcement authority on its reservation. In a petition filed Monday, the tribe argues the court overstepped its jurisdiction and created legal uncertainty. The case stems from a long-running battle with Mille Lacs County over policing rights under an 1855 treaty. The tribe seeks a panel or en banc review to maintain legal consistency.

The Chickasaw Nation is recognizing Youth Arts Month (YAM) with a focus on visual arts and art education. This year’s theme, “Healing Through Color,” highlights the therapeutic benefits of art and chromotherapy. The Chickasaw Nation offers numerous year-round programs for youth, including the Chickasaw Arts Academy, After School Art Program, and the Chickasaw Young Artist Studio. These initiatives provide creative opportunities for children to explore art while promoting healing and expression. For more information about Chickasaw Nation’s youth art programs, visit the Arts and Humanities Division.