The Daily Spark

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians is moving forward with major tourism infrastructure projects designed to boost local economies and honor Native heritage. Funded by a $1.5 million state grant and other tribal and partner contributions, the projects include a traditional roundhouse west of Belcourt, a veterans memorial park in Dunseith, and a 170-foot powwow arbor at Chief Little Shell Heritage Park. Completion is planned by summer 2026, ahead of an international Indigenous peace conference at the International Peace Garden.

The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is participating in the 24th session of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, held April 21–25. The Canadian delegation includes leaders from over 100 Friendship Centres, the Indigenous Youth Council, and provincial associations.

The NAFC will host a side event titled Living UNDRIP: Indigenous Rights in Urban Spaces to highlight how the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples applies in urban areas.

A new law signed by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders enhances law enforcement cooperation between Tribal, state, and local agencies. Senate Bill 510 authorizes cross-deputization agreements, allowing officers to work across jurisdictions for faster, more coordinated public safety responses.

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton called the law “a huge step forward,” while Rep. Zack Gramlich, who authored the bill and is a Choctaw Nation member, praised its impact on Fort Smith and beyond. Fort Smith Mayor George McGill added, “We’re removing barriers to timely, effective public safety responses.”

The Choctaw Nation already has 75+ similar partnerships in Oklahoma and continues expanding its Lighthorse Police force.

Professional golfer Notah Begay III has teamed up with AMERIND to promote stronger, safer Tribal communities through culturally grounded insurance solutions. As the only 100% Tribally owned insurance carrier in the U.S., AMERIND offers tailored coverage to Tribal governments, enterprises and workers. Their partnership supports Native youth through the Notah Begay III Foundation, which promotes active lifestyles and wellbeing.

A bill banning Native American-themed school mascots and logos in Illinois is advancing to the state Senate. The legislation, passed by the House, affects about 90 school districts and allows existing materials to be used until 2030. Schools must update facilities bearing banned imagery during future renovations. Supporters cite mental health concerns raised by the American Psychological Association. Critics call the bill costly and politically motivated.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is fast-tracking the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline tunnel project under a Trump-era executive order declaring a national energy emergency. Tribes in at least three states, including the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, oppose the project, citing environmental risks to the Great Lakes. The Corps will host a virtual public hearing May 13–14 to gather testimony on potential violations of tribal water quality standards.

As the White House signals potential executive orders targeting nonprofits, organizations across the U.S. are preparing a unified response. According to NPR, the orders could allow the government to audit nonprofits, particularly those involved in immigrant legal services and environmental work, and possibly seize their assets. Nonprofits are already mobilizing, with 11,000 representatives from across the sector meeting virtually to discuss strategies, including legal preparedness. While the White House denies any immediate plans for such orders, nonprofits remain concerned.

Tribes in the Columbia River Basin are actively working to preserve Pacific Lamprey, a vital traditional food source. Climate change and dams have severely impacted lamprey populations, but conservation efforts, including translocation and improving dam passage, are showing positive results. Kanim Moses-Conner, Lamprey Technician for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has been a vocal advocate for the species for over 16 years. He emphasizes the need for community education to support these efforts.

The Trump administration announced plans to approve the land transfer for the Resolution Copper mine, which would destroy Oak Flat, a sacred site for the Western Apache. This decision comes as three lawsuits challenging the project remain unresolved in the courts. Oak Flat, located in Arizona, is integral to Apache religious practices. Environmentalists and tribal leaders argue the mine will cause irreparable harm to the land, water, and culture. The Supreme Court's decision on whether to hear the religious freedom case could impact the future of the project.

A U.S. judge has ordered the Trump administration to issue written statements to thousands of probationary federal workers fired en masse in February, clarifying they were not terminated for poor performance.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup called the performance claims “a false pretense” and gave agencies until May 8 to comply. The order follows a lawsuit challenging the Office of Personnel Management’s authority in the firings.

The city of Escondido and the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians hosted the first Indigenous Culture & Art Festival on Saturday at Grape Day Park. The event showcased Indigenous food, art, and performances, honoring the region’s Kumeyaay heritage.

Organizers, including the Native Youth Foundation, emphasized youth empowerment through culture and the arts. The San Pasqual Band contributed $10,000 toward the event, with nearly $62,000 approved by the City Council.

A bill proposing a legislative study of oil and chemical spill risks on highways within the Fort Berthold Reservation failed to pass the North Dakota House, but Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, D-Mandaree, says she remains dedicated to raising awareness. House Bill 1611 aimed to assess environmental and health risks through collaboration with tribal and state agencies. Despite its 62-24 defeat, Finley-DeVille emphasized the need for site-specific data to guide future policy.

Pastor Duane Fox was honored for over 40 years of service to the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation during a community Easter dinner Wednesday at the Ralph Wells Community Center. Fox, a former police officer and founding member of the White Shield Spirit Riders, received a warbonnet, satin star quilts and an award from MHA Nation Chairman Mark Fox. The event, hosted by Councilman Fred Fox, also featured announcements of new bikes for White Shield students and tribal interest in a potential woolly mammoth project.

Native American artist Monte Yellow Bird Sr., also known as Black Pinto Horse, will speak at Cloud County Community College’s Cook Series on Thursday, April 24. The event, titled “If You're Going to Shine, Shine Brightly,” begins at 7 p.m. at Cook Theatre and is free and open to the public. Yellow Bird, known for work blending Indigenous heritage and fine arts, is a descendant of Bears Teeth, Iron Bear, Strikes Enemy and Sitting Bear.

The Trump administration has cut at least $1.6 million in federal grants for Native American boarding school research projects, ending efforts to preserve and share stories of survivors. According to the Associated Press, the National Endowment for the Humanities cited a shift in agency priorities. Impacted projects include a $282,000 grant to the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, which had been digitizing records used by families to trace relatives.

The Youth Empowerment Project’s Springfield chapter awarded $10,000 to six nonprofits for youth-focused education and community service programs.

Recipients include the American Indian Center of Springfield, which received $2,025 to enhance its Youth Drum Group Program, a cultural initiative promoting Powwow drumming. Other grants support mental health, crisis support, food security, employment training and domestic violence education.

YEP is supported by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and includes students from three area high schools.

Northwestern University’s seventh annual Indigenous research symposium, hosted by the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research, highlighted community-driven scholarship and language revitalization projects led by Native scholars across the U.S. The event honored 100 years since the Indian Citizenship Act with the theme “Indigenous Futures: 100 years back, 100 years forward.”

Projects included Zapotec language workshops in Los Angeles and Ojibwe wild rice research in Minnesota. Speakers emphasized data sovereignty, mentorship and Indigenous self-determination in research.

The University of North Dakota will hold its 53rd annual Time Out Wacipi Powwow on April 25–26 at the Alerus Center. The free, public event celebrates Indigenous culture with dancing, singing and a traditional feed on Saturday at 5 p.m. Hosted by the Indigenous Student Center, the powwow is part of Time Out Week, featuring talks, art, and community events.

For full schedule and visitor info, visit: University of North Dakota

The Cocopah Indian Tribe is launching a 400-acre restoration project in Arizona’s Colorado River floodplain, aiming to remove invasive species and replant native vegetation. With support from the National Audubon Society and federal funding, the project will restore access to traditional gathering spaces and reconnect youth to the river’s cultural significance. Vice Chairman Neil White said the effort is “going to empower us to get back to our traditional ways.”