The Daily Spark
Small sparks from Indian Country, built to catch fire
44th annual Native American student art show opens in Albuquerque
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque is hosting the 44th Annual Native American Student Art Show, showcasing works by Indigenous youth from kindergarten through 12th grade across New Mexico. The exhibition, themed "Water is life," features diverse artistic interpretations emphasizing water's significance in Native communities. Open since Nov. 23, the show runs through Feb. 6, offering visitors a chance to appreciate and support the creativity of young Native artists.
HHS seeks nominations for Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee
Open until January 16
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations for the Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) to fill open delegate positions across various IHS Areas and national at-large roles. These delegates will collaborate with HHS leadership to address healthcare priorities impacting Tribes and AI/AN populations. Nominations are open until January 16, 2025. Elected or appointed Tribal officials may submit nominations.
10th annual repatriation conference highlights protection of Native heritage
The Association on American Indian Affairs will host the 10th Annual Repatriation Conference from Nov. 14-16 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The conference focuses on the protection and return of Native ancestors, cultural items, and sacred lands. This year's theme, “Past, Present, and Future,” will explore collaborative solutions to repatriation challenges. Tribes, museums, and federal agencies will gather to strengthen relationships and advance Indigenous rights.
Interior Department Approves Coquille Tribe’s Medford Casino Project
The U.S. Department of the Interior has granted final approval for the Coquille Indian Tribe's plan to establish a Class II gaming facility in Medford, Oregon, marking the state's first off-reservation casino. This decision concludes a nearly 13-year process, allowing the tribe to convert a former bowling alley into a gaming venue.
The project has faced opposition from neighboring tribes, including the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Karuk Tribe, and the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, who have expressed concerns about potential impacts on their gaming operations.
Murkowski Takes Leadership as Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chair
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has finalized its leadership and membership for the 119th Congress. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will serve as Chair, with Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) as Vice Chair.
The bipartisan committee, which oversees issues related to Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, includes the following members:
Majority (Republican):
- Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chair
- Senator John Hoeven (R-North Dakota)
- Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana)
- Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
- Senator Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota)
- Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)
Minority (Democratic):
- Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Vice Chair
- Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington)
- Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada)
- Senator Tina Smith (D-Minnesota)
- Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
Chair Murkowski has indicated her leadership will focus on advancing economic development, healthcare, and education initiatives within Indigenous communities.
Minnesota Tribal Casino Executives Seek Dismissal of Federal Lawsuit
Executives of two Minnesota tribal casinos, Grand Casino Hinckley and Grand Casino Mille Lacs, are urging a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the commercial casino Running Aces. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and state gambling laws, claiming the tribal casinos’ Class III gaming activities provide an unfair competitive advantage.
The tribal executives argue sovereign immunity shields the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, which owns the casinos, from being joined in the lawsuit. They cite a recent Ninth Circuit ruling in a similar case as precedent for dismissal.
Oral arguments on the motion are scheduled for Jan. 28 in U.S. District Court in Minnesota.
Native Americans Face Higher Traffic Stop Rates in Washington State
Native Americans in Washington state are stopped by law enforcement at disproportionately higher rates than other racial groups, according to an investigation by Investigate Midwest. The report analyzed traffic policing data, revealing significant racial disparities.
Modoc Nation and Partners Challenge Counterclaims in Federal Court
This week, the Modoc Nation and its associated enterprises filed a reply brief in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, seeking dismissal or a stay of counterclaims against them. The case centers on disputes involving tribal businesses, raising significant questions about the application of federal and state laws to tribal entities.
The Modoc Nation’s filing underscores broader concerns across Indian Country about the balance of tribal sovereignty and external legal challenges, especially regarding the jurisdictional overlap between state and federal courts in tribal matters.
BIA Awards Tribal Resilience Grants to Tribes in South Dakota
The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced funding awards under the FY24 Tribal Community Resilience Program on January 8. Recipients include several tribes and organizations in the South Dakota:
- The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe received $250,000 to update its Tribal Water Code and implement GIS mapping for climate resilience.
- The Yankton Sioux Tribe was awarded $240,100 to develop a drought vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan.
- The Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance was granted $246,750 to create a Tribal Climate Adaptation Plan focused on water resource management.