The Daily Spark

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.

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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.

Students at Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) are rallying after 35 employees were terminated as part of federal workforce downsizing. The layoffs, which affected about 23% of staff, have sparked chaos among students, with some fearing graduation delays. Student Tyler Moore expressed frustration over losing key instructors, while others, like Aiyanna Tanyan, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, emphasized the loss of stability and opportunities. In response, HINU’s Board of Regents has called for an exemption from the cuts. Students protested at the Kansas State Capitol on Feb. 24.

The Payne Institute for Public Policy launched the Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty (NAMES) Initiative in 2023. Focused on supporting Native sovereignty, the initiative aims to foster collaboration between Native nations and the energy sector. NAMES seeks to improve decision-making and create opportunities for research, development, and STEM education relevant to Native communities. Industry partners, including Ivanhoe Electric and Resolution Copper, have joined the effort. For more information, visit payneinstitute.mines.edu/names.

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians recently participated in a program focused on educating the community and testing for lead contamination. Lead, a naturally occurring element, becomes harmful when human activities cause it to contaminate the environment, affecting air, water, soil, and indoor dust. Lead exposure can cause severe health issues, especially in children, including learning and behavior problems and damage to the brain and nervous system. The tribe is partnering with the National Indian Health Board, Badlands, Inc., and others to conduct testing for lead in water, soil, and paint.

The Ninth Circuit Court reversed portions of a lower court's decision regarding the controversial Black Ram logging project in Montana’s Kootenai National Forest. While it upheld the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s grizzly bear analysis, the court found that the U.S. Forest Service failed to meet motorized vehicle access standards and improperly assessed unauthorized road use, violating the National Environmental Policy Act. The project, which includes commercial timber harvesting, is paused pending further review.

The U.S. government is moving to dismiss the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s lawsuit seeking to block operations of the Dakota Access Pipeline. According to court documents, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers argues the tribe’s claims are too vague and that the court lacks the authority to enforce the requested actions. Fourteen Republican-led states, including North Dakota, support this position. The tribe contends that Energy Transfer LP is operating without a valid easement, violating environmental laws.