The Daily Spark

Arkansas is pushing to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Cherokee Nation businesses over the revocation of a casino license for a proposed Pope County resort. The state argues that the businesses lack standing to sue and that previous rulings dismissed the state and its commissioners as defendants. The dispute stems from the passage of Amendment 104, which rescinded the license granted to Cherokee Nation Entertainment. The case is part of a broader legal fight between the Cherokee and Choctaw nations over casino operations in the region.

A Massachusetts federal judge dismissed Boston's lawsuit against pharmacy benefits managers Express Scripts Inc. and OptumRx Inc. over their role in the opioid crisis, ruling that the city's claims were filed too late. Judge Patti B. Saris found that Boston knew or should have known about the harm caused by opioid over-prescribing by 2018, making the claims subject to expired statute of limitations. The ruling highlights the broader, ongoing legal battle involving municipalities and the opioid crisis.

Former President Donald Trump has nominated new leaders for key U.S. Environmental Protection Agency divisions, all of whom served during his first term. The picks, including Jessica Kramer for the Office of Water and Aaron Szabo for the Office of Air, have faced criticism from environmental groups, who warn of potential rollbacks on pollution regulations. Tribal nations, which rely on strong EPA oversight to protect water and air quality on and near their lands, could be impacted by policy shifts under the new leadership.

Top Democratic lawmakers are urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to halt a federal hiring freeze affecting the Indian Health Service, warning it could limit healthcare access for Indigenous communities. In a letter to HHS, Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Chellie Pingree said staffing shortages already strain IHS facilities, and further cuts could worsen access to emergency care, maternity services, and mental health treatment. The freeze, they argue, undermines the federal trust obligation to tribes.

Former President Donald Trump has nominated Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, to lead the Bureau of Land Management and Brian Nesvik, former head of Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department, to lead the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sgamma, a vocal critic of Biden-era energy policies, has faced backlash from conservation groups, who warn her leadership could prioritize oil and gas interests over public land protections. The nominations now head to the Senate for confirmation.

United Tribes Technical College will host a Hand Game Tournament and a Sweet Heart Kahomni Dance on Feb. 15.

The Hand Game Tournament will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Sweet Heart Kahomni Dance will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There is no entry fee for the Hand Game Tournament. Dinner will be provided at the round dance, and cash prizes will be awarded at both events.

A coalition of Tribal organizations is urging the administration to ensure executive actions do not undermine Tribal sovereignty or disrupt federal funding for critical programs. Concerns arose after multiple executive orders and Office of Management and Budget directives led to funding freezes affecting healthcare, education, and economic development. While initial restrictions have been lifted, questions remain about long-term impacts. Tribal leaders stress that federal funding is a legal obligation, not discretionary aid.

A new bill in Utah's 2025 legislative session seeks to extend the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Task Force for two more years. The task force, initially set to end in November 2024, works to address the crisis of missing Indigenous individuals, especially women and girls. The bill focuses on building trust with tribal communities, improving law enforcement responses, and enhancing data sharing across jurisdictions.

A Biden-era rule change set to take effect Friday could allow more than 30 tribes, including California’s Muwekma Ohlone, to reapply for federal recognition. The rule lifts a long-standing ban on re-petitioning after denial, offering tribes another chance to gain recognition and access federal resources. However, it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will allow the change to proceed. Tribal leaders and legal experts are closely watching the decision.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is urging a federal court to reject efforts to dismiss its lawsuit seeking to halt the Dakota Access Pipeline's operations, arguing federal law requires an easement for pipelines on public land. The tribe contends the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has failed to enforce key environmental regulations. Republican-led states intervening in the case argue the lawsuit threatens national energy security. A decision is pending.

Greenpeace filed a lawsuit against Energy Transfer, alleging intimidation tactics used during protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. The environmental group claims the company used legal threats to silence dissent and suppress free speech. The case highlights concerns over strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), which aim to deter individuals and organizations from protesting or speaking out. Native communities, heavily impacted by the pipeline, continue to face challenges regarding the protection of land and water resources.

At the 30th annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day in Arizona, tribal leaders, including Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and Hopi Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma, gathered to discuss critical issues such as Native water rights, economic development, and cultural preservation. Leaders highlighted the importance of inter-tribal collaboration, with a focus on business development, renewable resources, and environmental cleanup projects. They also addressed challenges like the closure of the Navajo Generating Station and uranium contamination concerns.

Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Chairman Mark Fox commended Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for exempting tribal nations from President Trump’s order cutting DEI programs. Fox said the move reflects Burgum’s respect for tribal sovereignty and treaty obligations. Many tribal leaders had expressed concerns about federal commitments under the new administration, but the exemption has offered reassurance. The debate over treaty and trust responsibilities continues as executive orders reshape federal policies.

Native organizations are raising concerns that recent executive orders and federal funding freezes under the Trump administration could harm tribal communities and violate U.S. treaty obligations. A late January Office of Management and Budget memo temporarily halted federal payments, sparking alarm over impacts on tribal law enforcement, health care, and education. While the freeze was rescinded, uncertainty remains. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has urged the administration to protect tribal funding.

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced her campaign for New Mexico governor, aiming to become the first Native American woman to hold the position. Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, pledged to tackle housing costs, crime, and education. She previously made history as the first Native cabinet secretary and has championed Indigenous rights, land protections, and the Federal Indian Boarding School initiative. The election is set for November 2026.

The Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee will hold a special meeting Thursday, Feb. 13, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Bismarck Public Schools Administration Building at 128 Soo Line Rd on the second floor. The meeting will cover the Memorandum of Understanding, Strategic Plan and Indigenous Governance training model. Committee members will also begin planning for graduation honors, eighth-grade recognition and review the impacts of federal grants.

American Student Assistance and Roadtrip Nation have teamed up to offer innovative career exploration tools for middle and high school students. The initiative includes the "Explore Your Interests Roadtrip," where three young adults will embark on a national road trip to meet role models and mentors. In addition, an AI-powered digital experience will give students personalized career exploration through Roadtrip Nation’s extensive interview archive, empowering them to connect with diverse stories and explore potential paths.

Cutcha Risling Baldy and Kaitlin Reed, co-directors of the Rou Dalagurr: Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute at Cal Poly Humboldt, have received the 2025 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. The award recognizes their work in promoting food sovereignty, land justice, and Indigenous science. Through their efforts, including the creation of California’s first Food Sovereignty Lab, they are revitalizing traditional food systems and empowering future generations of Indigenous leaders.

Two New Mexico lawmakers, Sen. Angel Charley and Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta, have introduced a bill to create a “Turquoise Alert” system for missing Indigenous people. The proposed system would send statewide alerts similar to Amber Alerts, aiming to address the high number of missing Native Americans in the state. With 198 Native Americans currently missing in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation, the bill seeks to provide timely help within the crucial first 48 hours of a disappearance.