Independent News from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

The Daily Spark

Quick Stories, Must Reads

Standing Rock leaders raise concerns about federal funding in meeting with ND, SD governors

News and Information relevant to Native communities

Funding Fallout

Sudden cut of ‘politicized’ FEMA grants leaves North Dakota communities in the lurch

Cuts impact major projects in Lincoln, Washburn and Fessenden

Michael Standaert / North Dakota New Cooperative

Meet Brian Bull: Veteran reporter joins the Buffalo’s Fire news team

Local independent newsroom continues to grow, drawing exceptional talent

“Feather Alert” bill for MMIP cases debated in North Dakota Legislature

Law enforcement raises objections over language and scope of the legislation while relatives of Renzo Bullhead urge its passage

Renzo is a relative to us all

Sundance Film Festival to relocate to Boulder in 2027

Buffalo’s Fire

New bill could strengthen tribal energy independence

Buffalo’s Fire

Education Advancement

Empowering Native futures: Native Forward celebrates 55 years of impact

Buffalo’s Fire

Sovereignty, Community, Press Freedom.
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The Daily Spark

Quick stories, must reads

Bismarck-Mandan

Rural Uncertainty

USDA upheaval brings uncertainty to farmers, rural communities

Michael Standaert / North Dakota News Cooperative

North Dakota lawmakers to review key bills impacting Native American communities

Dakota Access Pipeline

Media petition North Dakota Supreme Court for expanded access to Greenpeace trial

Free school meals bill fails in the North Dakota House

Tribal consultation

Bill seeks to strengthen tribal consultation on North Dakota legislation

Free school meals bill advances in North Dakota legislative committee

Workforce Strain

Bill proposes repeal of immigration office amidst workforce crisis

Northern Plains

Community Search

MMIR: Native community unites in water and ground search for Standing Rock man, last seen on train bridge

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

‘Big Muddy’: North Dakota approaches deadline in high-stakes MHA oil tax lawsuit

Senators Push to Expand VA Transportation Grants for Rural Veterans

North Dakota faces major housing shortage as baby boomers age

Trump policies leave North Dakota summer tourism prospects uncertain

Shocking disparities: American Indians in North Dakota die 22.5 years younger than white residents

Dearth of women in top higher ed leadership in North Dakota causes concern

Native Issues

Treaty Obligations

For Indian Country, federal cuts decimate core tribal programs

Alex Brown / North Dakota Monitor

Pipeline Concerns

Public hearing set for proposed pipeline in Mountrail and Ward counties

New bill seeks to grant legal rights to water in New York

Funding Changes

Mandaree School District faces changes to federal funding policy

Education Drive

United Tribes Technical College launches video series to recruit Native educators

Three Affiliated Tribes among IHS grant recipients for health care expansion

Dakota Access Pipeline

Greenpeace asks North Dakota Supreme Court to move Dakota Access Pipeline trial to Fargo

Native Nations

Activism continues

Leonard Peltier remains defiant in AP interview, maintaining innocence and vowing continued activism

Graham Lee Brewer / Associated Press

Leonard Peltier: ‘Today I am finally free’

Proud, cheerful and emotional, Leonard Peltier thanks supporters for welcome home

Leonard Peltier: ‘Today I am finally free’

Bismarck, North Dakota

Unprecedented TribalEcon Summit features trade history, vendors in North Dakota capital

International pressure, stateside push leads to act of clemency for AIM icon Leonard Peltier

Lost Opportunity

Senate confirmation hearings for Interior secretary gloss over Native issues

Dakota Access Pipeline

Pipeline owner joins lawsuit over Dakota Access Pipeline

Dakota Access Pipeline

Greenpeace seeks court permission to research mailer critical of DAPL protests

Arts & Culture

ND Native photographer featured in San Francisco Museum of Modern Art exhibition

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Zig Jackson’s Vision: ‘Culture is the most powerful thing you have in art’

Cultural Identity

Zig Jackson’s Vision: ‘Culture is the most powerful thing you have in art’

Fashion & Heritage

Lily Gladstone’s historic Oscar gowns, celebrating Native heritage, go on display in D.C.

Sundance Film Festival

‘Endless Cookie’ animated documentary satisfies the appetite for the unseen, unknown

Johnson reintroduces bill to protect Wounded Knee Massacre site

Historic Injustice

Indian boarding school history won’t go away

Native Athletes

Native American All-Star Football Game at the Frisco Star set to showcase top athletes

Opinion

Kristi Noem’s Homeland Security confirmation skirts tribal controversies in her home state

Trump should grant Leonard Peltier a full pardon, toss home confinement

Sovereignty Concerns

North Dakota’s Tribal-State legislative address raises concerns, questions

Mystery Sightings

UFO-drone sightings in Indian Country began long before East Coast buzz

Stories you might have missed

Legislators push for more affordable housing with new bill

Healing Journey

‘Sugarcane’ directors receive Oscar nomination with documentary on boarding schools, hope and healing

BIA’s Missing and Murdered Unit Tackles Crisis with Operation Spirit Return

Sovereignty Shift

Valandra Takes Helm at Indian Land Tenure Foundation

Proud, cheerful and emotional, Leonard Peltier thanks supporters for welcome home

Shaping Futures

Assistant Education Secretary nominee, Kirsten Baesler aims to help students become ‘future-ready’

AFN calls for Indigenous trade alliance as U.S. tariffs loom