The Daily Spark

"Four Women in Red," a new play by Chickasaw Nation’s Laura Shamas, addresses the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Opening on February 14 in Burbank, the play tells the story of four women mourning the loss of their loved ones, whose cases often go unsolved. Director Jeanette Harrison, an Onondaga Nation member, emphasizes the need for authentic Native representation in media. The play aims to raise awareness and spark action to address the systemic issues contributing to this ongoing crisis.

A proposed bill in Alaska would allow Native tribes to run public schools through education compacts, increasing tribal sovereignty over education. The initiative aims to close achievement gaps for Native students by integrating culturally relevant, place-based learning. Five tribes, including Tlingit and Haida, are part of a pilot program under the plan. If passed, the bill would provide state funding and autonomy for tribes to hire teachers and design curriculum.

A California man has been convicted of wire fraud, mail fraud, and violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act for selling counterfeit jewelry falsely attributed to renowned Hopi jeweler Charles Loloma. Prosecutors say Robert Haack sold fake pieces on eBay, defrauding buyers of over $400,000. Investigators found engraving tools, practice signatures, and unfinished jewelry in his home. Haack faces up to 20 years in prison for harming Native artists and the authenticity of Indigenous art.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program is helping Tribal Nations combat food insecurity, which affects 1 in 4 Native Americans. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have used CACFP for over 30 years, integrating traditional foods like Chinook salmon and huckleberries into meals for children. Leaders urge more tribes to participate, citing the program’s role in nutrition and cultural preservation.

Wells Fargo told a Florida jury it properly managed a multibillion-dollar trust for the Seminole Tribe, rejecting claims it mismanaged investments and secretly raised fees. Plaintiffs allege the bank overcharged minors by $818 million, while Wells Fargo argues it followed the tribe’s request for a low-risk “keep-it-safe” trust. The trial will examine whether the bank’s investment approach and fee structure violated financial obligations.

A federal judge ruled against the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in its effort to reclaim federally managed land in Utah. The tribe argued that an 1880 law entitled it to ownership, but the court sided with the U.S. government, stating the tribe had ceded its land earlier. The ruling reinforces federal control over the disputed area, impacting the tribe’s claims to ancestral lands.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin claims $20 billion in climate grants was improperly placed in a bank, reducing agency oversight. The funds, part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund under the Inflation Reduction Act, were awarded to nonprofits for clean energy projects, including in disadvantaged communities. Former EPA officials dispute Zeldin’s claims, citing existing oversight measures. The dispute raises concerns about environmental funding and tribal access to clean energy investments.

A federal judge denied the Ute Indian Tribe’s attempt to challenge a $16 million Clean Air Act settlement with Ovintiv USA Inc. The tribe argued it was not adequately consulted, but the U.S. Department of Justice and Utah officials said its concerns were considered and dismissed. The case stems from alleged air pollution violations at oil and gas sites on tribal land. Ovintiv has already paid penalties and begun corrective actions.

BIPoC individuals are invited to join a community gathering to connect, share experiences, and support each other. The first event will take place on Saturday, February 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Earthlodge at United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) in Bismarck, ND. This space is intended for meaningful conversation and building a sustainable path forward.

Event Details:

When: Saturday, February 15, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: UTTC Earthlodge, 3315 University Dr., Bismarck, ND

This gathering will be held every third Saturday of the month in 2025.

Federal data has long undercounted Native American college students, complicating efforts to assess their educational needs. New federal standards could lead to more accurate data collection, ensuring Indigenous students are better represented in federal records. This change could drive improvements in funding and support for Native American students pursuing higher education.

The Chickasaw Nation continues its efforts to support monarch butterflies by expanding butterfly-friendly habitats. The tribe has partnered with other First American tribes to plant milkweed and other butterfly-friendly plants across Oklahoma. The Chickasaw Cultural Center’s butterfly garden, a key part of this initiative, provides a space for educational programs and conservation efforts. The tribe also invites the public to celebrate National Learn About Butterflies Day on March 14, featuring butterfly activities and plant giveaways.

Following an incident in May where a Farmington High School student was told to remove a graduation cap adorned with Native American beads, New Mexico state senators are pushing a bill to protect Native American students' right to wear tribal regalia at graduation and school events. Senator Benny Shendo's bill aims to ensure students can proudly display their cultural heritage without fear of punishment. While some lawmakers raised concerns over potential misinterpretation of what constitutes regalia, the bill passed with unanimous support and will soon be considered by the Senate Education Committee.

The South Dakota Senate Education Committee has unanimously passed Senate Bill 196, which would make the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings (OSEU) a required part of public school curriculum. This bill aims to ensure that students across the state learn about the history, language, and culture of South Dakota’s nine tribes. The bill also requires the South Dakota Board of Education Standards to consult with the South Dakota Indian Education Advisory Council, a step praised by supporters but opposed by some who argue it may reduce educational flexibility.

First Peoples Fund has announced the 2025 recipients of its prestigious Artist in Business Leadership and Cultural Capital Fellowships, recognizing 30 Native artists for their contributions to the arts and culture. Nineteen artists will receive the Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship, aimed at transforming their creative practices into thriving businesses, while eleven artists are awarded the Cultural Capital Fellowship, dedicated to preserving Indigenous heritage. Each recipient will receive a $10,000 award and yearlong professional development. This year's fellowships bring total funding to $300,000.

List of recipients HERE

In a Florida courtroom, a jury heard that Wells Fargo and its predecessor, Wachovia, defrauded the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s minors trust by secretly raising fees and mismanaging investments. The tribe alleges that the bank tripled its fee rate from what was originally agreed upon and failed to disclose millions in unauthorized fees. The trust’s investments performed poorly, and the tribe claims it would have earned $818 million more if managed correctly. Wells Fargo’s defense will present its case Thursday.

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has remanded a dispute between the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Mille Lacs County officials, ruling that a 2023 amendment to Minnesota state law affirms the tribe's unqualified law enforcement jurisdiction over its reservation boundaries. The decision resolves a longstanding conflict, allowing tribal officers to enforce laws on nontrust lands within the reservation. The panel dismissed the county's appeal as moot, noting that the amended law had already settled the law enforcement jurisdiction issue.

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.