The Daily Spark

Over 1,000 Kaiser Permanente staff and their families volunteered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to restore cultural sites across Hawaii. Projects included clearing invasive species, planting native plants, and preserving taro patches. On O‘ahu, volunteers worked at Kalaeloa Heritage Park and the He‘eia fishpond. On Maui, volunteers supported the Paeloko Learning Center, while those on Hawai‘i Island restored native dryland forests. The efforts honor Hawaiian culture, environmental preservation, and community health.

A coalition of Tribal organizations is calling on the administration to ensure recent executive actions do not undermine Tribal sovereignty or disrupt federal funding for essential programs. Concerns arose after federal directives initially froze funding for healthcare, education, and economic development programs serving Tribal communities. While the freeze has been lifted, questions remain about how agencies will implement policies moving forward. The coalition emphasizes that these funds are legal obligations, not discretionary spending.

The Wintu Tribe of Northern California and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians have sued federal agencies over a decision allowing Redding Rancheria to build a casino complex on 221 acres of culturally significant land. The tribes argue the approval process ignored environmental risks and the land’s historical importance, including pre-contact Wintu villages and a massacre site. The lawsuit alleges violations of multiple federal laws and a lack of consultation with affected tribes. A decision is pending.

The Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is urging a federal judge not to dismiss its case against the U.S. Department of the Interior, citing concerns that the Trump administration may delay or overturn a new rule impacting tribal recognition. The Michigan tribe, which has fought for federal recognition for years, argues the rule must be finalized to avoid further setbacks. A decision on the case is pending.

The state of Alaska is suing the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Native Village of Eklutna over jurisdictional authority on Native allotments. The lawsuit challenges a federal opinion that granted Alaska tribes presumptive jurisdiction over 2.7 million acres, allowing the Eklutna tribe to open its Chin’an Gaming Hall in Anchorage. Tribal leaders say overturning the decision would cause financial harm. The Interior Department has not commented on the case.

Federal lawmakers are considering deep cuts to Medicaid, which experts say could have devastating effects on Indigenous communities. Medicaid provides critical funding for Indian Health Service and tribal healthcare facilities, covering 31% of Native Americans—nearly half of them children. Advocates warn that funding reductions could lead to staff layoffs, service cuts, and even facility closures, particularly in rural and urban Native communities. The National Council of Urban Indian Health urges tribal advocates to contact lawmakers to protect funding.

Republican lawmakers have reintroduced a resolution to block the Environmental Protection Agency’s methane emissions fee, a rule implemented under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The fee targets oil and gas companies emitting over 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Supporters argue the rule curbs pollution, while opponents say it burdens energy producers. The challenge comes as 23 states and industry groups seek to overturn the rule in court.

MMIW 218 will host its annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Day of Remembrance walk on Feb. 14, starting at 11 a.m. from the Northwest Indian Community Development Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. The walk will end at Bemidji State’s Beaux Arts Ballroom, where a program will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear red and bring signs in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives.

Doug Burgum was sworn in as the 55th U.S. Secretary of the Interior on January 31, 2025. In his opening remarks, Burgum emphasized his commitment to strengthening tribal partnerships, citing his previous work with North Dakota’s five sovereign tribal nations. He pledged to enhance economic opportunities and improve quality of life for tribal communities through mutual respect and collaboration. Burgum also outlined his focus on energy dominance while balancing environmental sustainability and protecting public lands.

The FBI's special report, “Violence Against American Indian or Alaska Native Females, 2021-2023,” examines violent and sexual crimes against Native women, based on data from 2021 to 2023. The report reveals 25,817 incidents of violent crime and 8,575 sexual crime incidents. A significant number of victims were harmed by intimate partners. The report, which includes crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, and rape, underscores the need for more comprehensive data to protect Native women and children.

Full report HERE.

The University of Maryland has been awarded a $3.6 million Mellon Foundation grant to improve access to Indigenous archival records. The project, led by professors Diana Marsh and Shelbi Nahwilet Meissner, will develop tools and standards to make Indigenous collections more accessible and culturally respectful. Collaborating with Tribal organizations and the Social Networks and Archival Context Cooperative, the initiative seeks to repair harmful colonial-era practices in archival descriptions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Interior leaders have unveiled initiatives prioritizing U.S. energy production under President Trump’s energy dominance policy. The EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative” aims to reduce costs while ensuring clean air and water. Meanwhile, DOI Secretary Doug Burgum announced plans to expand domestic energy resources, including oil and gas leasing and critical mineral development. Critics argue these actions could harm wildlife and public lands.

A federal judge ruled that the White House Council on Environmental Quality does not have the authority to issue binding regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act. The decision, made by U.S. District Judge Daniel M. Traynor, overturns Biden administration regulations and reverts to previous rules. The ruling highlights the need for Congress to formally grant CEQ the authority to issue such regulations.

The U.S. government and Osage Nation are opposing a bid by Enel Green Power North America to stay a $4.2 million judgment requiring the removal of 84 wind turbines from the Osage reservation. A federal judge ruled the company trespassed by using minerals without a lease. Enel argues for a narrower remedy, but the Osage Minerals Council seeks a $50 million bond if the stay is granted. The case is now before the Tenth Circuit.

A federal court is set to decide whether officials from Local Voters in Charge and a public affairs firm must release documents related to an Arkansas amendment that revoked Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s casino license. The Cherokee Nation argues that the amendment violated constitutional rights by not disclosing its impact. The group behind the measure contends the requests are irrelevant. The case continues in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

American Indians in North Dakota die, on average, more than 22 years younger than white residents, according to a study analyzing pre-pandemic mortality data. Researchers from the University of North Dakota found that between 2010 and 2019, the median age at death for American Indian males was 55, compared to 77 for white males. For females, the median age at death was 62 for American Indians and 85 for white residents. The study, which used death certificate data, revealed significantly higher all-cause mortality rates for American Indians across all age groups and both sexes. The leading causes of death for American Indians in North Dakota during this period were heart disease (17.8%), cancer (15.2%), and accidents (12.5%), mirroring national trends but occurring at disproportionately higher rates. Researchers concluded that approaches involving prevention, policy changes, and culturally sensitive healthcare are needed to address these disparities, emphasizing the importance of centering tribal voices and organizations in these efforts.

The Washoe Tribe is reviving cultural fire practices to restore ecosystems and reduce wildfire risks near South Lake Tahoe. After decades of federal fire suppression policies, tribal members are learning traditional burning techniques to promote healthy plant growth and reduce flammable debris. The training, supported by The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service, highlights the role of Indigenous knowledge in wildfire management.

A goalie mask designed by Mdewakanton Dakota artist Cole Redhorse Taylor and worn by Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is now on display at the Minnesota History Center. The Minnesota Historical Society purchased the mask for $35,100 at auction, with proceeds benefiting the American Indian Family Center. The mask is part of the "Our Home: Native Minnesota" exhibit, highlighting contemporary Native art and culture.

Nonprofits nationwide are preparing for potential federal funding cuts following an attempted pause on grant programs. While the order was rescinded after legal challenges, organizations worry about future restrictions impacting healthcare, immigrant services, and social justice programs. Advocacy groups, including the ACLU, are preparing legal action to protect nonprofit funding. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has joined a lawsuit challenging the proposed freeze.