The Daily Spark
Small sparks from Indian Country, built to catch fire
Fort Smith police, Choctaw Nation sign first cross-deputization pact in Arkansas
The Fort Smith Police Department and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma signed a cross-deputization agreement Sept. 5, marking the first tribal law enforcement agreement in Arkansas, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The memorandum of understanding establishes mutual aid and cross-jurisdictional cooperation between the Fort Smith Police Department and the Choctaw Nation’s Lighthorse Police.
The agreement allows officers from both agencies to respond to violations of the law, assist with arrests, investigations and detentions and provide emergency support when needed. Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said in a social media post the agreement strengthens public safety and builds “a framework of mutual respect and trust for the future.”
Department of Education ends funding to several MSI grant programs
The U.S. Department of Education announced Sept. 10 that it will end discretionary funding to several Minority-Serving Institutions grant programs, citing unconstitutional racial quotas. The decision follows a July determination by the U.S. Solicitor General that Hispanic-Serving Institutions programs violate the equal-protection component of the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
According to the Department of Education, about $350 million in fiscal year 2025 discretionary funds will be reallocated to programs that do not have racial or ethnic quotas. Programs affected include Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions and Strengthening Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions.
Pechanga executive highlights collaboration among California tribes
Pechanga Resort Casino President Sean Vasquez said California tribes are balancing competition with cooperation as they defend their role as the state’s only sanctioned gaming operators, according to SBC Americas. Vasquez said tribes may compete for customers on weekends but stand together in Sacramento to oppose commercial gaming. He credited organizations such as the California Nations Indian Gaming Association and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations with creating alliances that benefit all tribes.
Vasquez also described California tribal gaming as a spectrum, from billion-dollar operations such as Pechanga, San Manuel and Morongo to smaller rural casinos. He said partnerships, including Pechanga’s rewards program with The Venetian in Las Vegas, strengthen sovereignty and help tribes secure long-term economic stability.
Northwestern Band reclaims Bear River Massacre site
The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation is restoring the site of the 1863 Bear River Massacre with the goal of reviving the land’s natural ecosystem, according to Utah News Dispatch. Tribal leaders say the effort could also benefit the Great Salt Lake by sending more water downstream through habitat restoration.
Vice Chairman Brad Parry told more than 140 people at an Aug. 27 forum in Ogden, Utah, that the project aims to return the land to a state their ancestors would recognize. Since purchasing 350 acres around the site in 2018, the tribe has secured about $13 million in funding for the Wuda Ogwa restoration project. Volunteers and partners have planted about 69,000 native plants, with another 130,000 planned. Parry said the project is also a way to heal from the massacre, calling the site “our Arlington Cemetery.”
Judge rejects pause of Greenpeace lawsuit in Netherlands
A North Dakota judge has denied a request from Energy Transfer, the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, to halt a lawsuit Greenpeace International filed against it in the Netherlands, according to the North Dakota Monitor. Southwest Judicial District Judge James Gion wrote that while the two cases overlap in subject matter, the legal claims are different, meaning the Dutch case is not an attempt to relitigate the North Dakota lawsuit.
Energy Transfer had asked Gion to order Greenpeace to pause its overseas litigation, arguing it threatened to undermine a North Dakota jury’s finding against Greenpeace earlier this year. In March, a Morton County jury found the environmental group liable for more than $660 million. Greenpeace denies the allegations and has requested that Gion overturn the verdict or reduce the award. Gion has not yet entered a judgment but said he expects to rule within the next week.
New York settles with Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
New York State has reached a settlement with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe that restores nearly 15,000 acres of land, according to NBC5. The agreement, announced Sept. 5 by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office, returns 9,800 acres in Franklin County and 4,800 acres in St. Lawrence County to the tribe. It also requires the New York Power Authority to give $2 million annually for 35 years and provides tuition assistance for tribal members attending SUNY institutions and community colleges.
The dispute dates to 1983. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council called the settlement “not perfect,” saying it does not restore all Mohawk lands historically lost but offers opportunities to acquire lands, remove property taxes and support students. Lawmakers including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Assemblyman Billy Jones and state Sen. Dan Stec praised the deal. Rep. Elise Stefanik called it a significant milestone while criticizing delays. The settlement requires congressional approval before it becomes final.
Ninth Circuit affirms Kuskokwim subsistence protections
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a federal injunction blocking the State of Alaska from overriding subsistence fishing protections on the Kuskokwim River, according to a press statement by the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. The decision rejected Alaska’s challenge to the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and confirmed that the Katie John precedents remain intact despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sturgeon.
The ruling affirms that federal law requires a subsistence preference for rural residents when fish populations need conservation. In 2021 and 2022, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued emergency orders opening the river to all fishing, which the court found unlawful. “Our Fish Commission is very pleased to see this court ruling in favor of the people of the Kuskokwim River,” said KRITFC Chair Martin Andrew.
Trail of Tears powwow draws thousands to Hopkinsville
Thousands gathered this past weekend at the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, for the 38th annual Trail of Tears PowWow, according to WKMS. The event featured dancing competitions with participants from about 40 Indigenous tribes, including groups traveling from Canada, as well as food, vendors and cultural exhibits such as a traditional tipi display.
The powwow takes place at a historic site along the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears, where the National Park Service says about 13,000 Native people were forcibly removed from their land. The park also marks the graves of Cherokee elder Fly Smith and Chief White Path, who died near Hopkinsville in 1838. Participants said the powwow is both a celebration and a way to honor ancestors while sharing culture with future generations.
North Dakota tribes expand Native tourism efforts
North Dakota tribes say their collaboration to promote Native tourism is drawing international visitors and boosting local economies, according to reporting by North Dakota Monitor. Stacey LaCompte, director of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, told lawmakers that groups from Europe often visit all five tribal nations in the state and spend money on hotels, food and artisan goods.
Tamara St. John, a board member of the alliance and historian for the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, called the effort “precedent setting” as other states form similar groups. Les Thomas, the alliance president, said tribes are diversifying beyond casinos with new attractions and noted the United Tribes Technical College powwow has a $10 million impact. Tribal tourism was also on the agenda at the Tribal Leaders Summit in Bismarck, North Dakota Monitor reported.
National Day of Remembrance coincides with boarding school bill
The annual National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian boarding school survivors will be held Sept. 16, according to ICT. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition is hosting the D.C. event, themed “Always in our hearts,” at the Indian Gaming Association building. Vigils and gatherings are also scheduled across Indian Country.
The observance coincides with the National Congress of American Indians Tribal Unity Impact Days, which bring tribal leaders to Capitol Hill to advocate for priorities such as appropriations, public safety and self-determination. It also overlaps with congressional consideration of the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. The bill, reintroduced in March by Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Elizabeth Warren, would establish a commission to investigate boarding school histories and recommend federal actions to support survivors and descendants, ICT reported.
Tribal college presidents brace for funding uncertainty
North Dakota’s tribal college presidents say they are preparing for leaner budgets despite signs that federal support will remain intact, according to North Dakota Monitor. Earlier this year, the White House proposed a 90% cut to the Bureau of Indian Education’s budget, but Congress has since indicated that funding will be maintained. School leaders said they are still tightening finances.
Twyla Baker, president of Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, said her institution eliminated some positions and is stretching a limited facilities budget. Turtle Mountain Community College President Wanda Parisien reported a $133,000 cut from the National Science Foundation, though no other funding has been lost. United Tribes Technical College President Russ McDonald said his school is being cautious but emphasized resilience. College leaders noted their institutions bring significant economic benefits to the state and provide vital educational opportunities for Native students.
California tribe launches first tribally led forest resilience bond
The Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe, working with the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, has launched the first tribally led Forest Resilience Bond, securing $5 million for wildfire risk reduction in Placer County, according to Tribal Business News. The funding, provided through a mechanism developed by Blue Forest with the U.S. Forest Service, eliminates cash flow delays from traditional reimbursement grants by blending public and private capital.
Vice Chairwoman Pamela Cubbler said the tribe could not afford to pay costs upfront and wait for reimbursement under a CAL FIRE grant. “That wasn’t something we could really do,” Cubbler was quoted as saying. The bond allows the tribe to pay workers on time while conducting foliage thinning and prescribed burns across 408 acres. Blue Forest’s Indigenous partnerships manager, Saraya Hamidi, said the project sets a precedent for tribes leading restoration efforts rather than serving only as consultants.
Native groups file Supreme Court brief on prisoners’ religious freedom
The National Congress of American Indians, Huy and the United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 3 in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections, according to the National Congress of American Indians. Represented by the Native American Rights Fund and Hobbs, Straus, Dean, and Walker LLP, the groups urged the court to allow stronger remedies for incarcerated people whose religious freedom is violated.
The brief highlights how forced haircuts infringe on Native religious practice, noting that unshorn hair is essential to ceremonies for many Native people. It argues that such practices echo federal assimilation policies of the 19th and 20th centuries and continue to harm Native identity. More than 29,500 American Indians and Alaska Natives are incarcerated in the United States, according to the brief. NARF Staff Attorney Sydney Tarzwell said allowing damages against prison officials could help protect religious freedom.
Minnesota raises 11 tribal nation flags at Capitol Mall
The flags of Minnesota’s 11 sovereign Tribal Nations were raised for the first time at the State Capitol Mall during the opening of the Tribal Flag Plaza on Sept. 5, according to Red Lake Nation News. Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and tribal leaders from across the state spoke at the ceremony, which drew community members to the Capitol Complex.
The new plaza includes plantings chosen by each tribe along with Minnesota-sourced granite pavers and benches. Metro State University noted that student Brett King of the Red Lake Nation contributed through song and drumming during the event. Minnesota is the second state in the nation to dedicate a permanent plaza featuring the flags of its Tribal Nations, according to Red Lake Nation News.
Interior launches policy to speed tribal broadband approvals
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs has announced a new policy to expedite the review of tribal broadband infrastructure projects, according to the department. The framework is designed to streamline right-of-way applications needed to construct broadband networks on tribal and individually owned Indian trust or restricted lands, with a focus on unserved and underserved communities.
Under the change, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has seven business days to review applications and request additional information. The policy also provides guidance on regulatory waivers and defers to tribes and landowners in determining their best interests. Webinars on the new process will be held Sept. 12, 15 and 18 for tribal, federal and industry stakeholders.
Gila River weighs banishment ordinance for violent crimes
The Gila River Indian Community in Arizona is considering an ordinance that would allow the banishment or disenrollment of members convicted of violent crimes, according to Arizona Luminaria. If approved, it would be the first such measure formalized in the state. The proposal allows the tribal council to hold hearings to decide whether members convicted of a violent felony, or three violent misdemeanors, should be banished. A banishment would prohibit entry to tribal lands, participation in community events, voting in tribal elections and receiving per capita payments.
The proposed ordinance also outlines disenrollment for members convicted of the most serious crimes, including homicide and violent sexual offenses. Affected individuals would be able to present evidence and call witnesses in their defense. The council is seeking input through an online survey, which was extended to Sept. 13.
Montana official resigns from state American Indian health office
Stephanie Iron Shooter, director of the Office of American Indian Health at Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services, resigned Sept. 2, according to Montana Free Press. She led the office, created in 2015 to address Native health disparities, since February 2022 and was the third person to hold the role. In a Sept. 2 email to tribal leaders, Iron Shooter wrote that “recent events” had led her to resign, adding, “I did my best for our people.”
Charlie Brereton, DPHHS director, said Heidi DeRoche, programs officer for the office, will serve as acting director. He added the department “remains committed to working with all Montana tribes to meet the health needs of our tribal communities.” Iron Shooter’s tenure included controversy over the 2023 elimination of the tribal relations manager position, which tribal leaders criticized for lacking consultation.
Arizona child safety department announces reforms after stakeholder meeting
The Arizona Department of Child Safety has pledged immediate reforms following a Sept. 3 stakeholder meeting that included families, law enforcement, prosecutors, tribal leaders and child welfare advocates, according to AZ Free News.
The department plans to draft clearer notification rules requiring group homes to promptly alert it and law enforcement when a child leaves placement. The department also intends to share facility locations with law enforcement, create standardized “face sheets” for runaway youth, renew standing meetings with the San Carlos Apache Tribe and expand tribal outreach, and develop a process to share licensing actions with tribes contracting with department-approved facilities.
State Sen. Carine Werner emphasized the need for long-term accountability. She was quoted as saying, “This is a step in the right direction, but it can’t be the last.”
TG4 documentary explores Irish ties to Native American history
TG4 will air Éire agus na Chéad Náisiúin on Sept. 17, a documentary that examines the complex roles Irish immigrants played in Native American history, according to Donegal Live. The program highlights Donegal-born seanchaí and memoirist Micí Mac Gabhann, best known for his posthumously published memoir Rotha Mór an tSaoil. Gabhann emigrated to the United States in the 1880s and worked in Montana’s mines.
Produced by Ronin Films with funding from the ILBF and Coimisiún na Meáin, the film includes perspectives from Irish historians and First Nations voices. It explores connections ranging from trade and alliances to displacement and conflict, including the Baker Massacre and the Battle of Little Bighorn. Contributors such as Mohawk elders Kay Olan and Tom Porter, Choctaw artist Waylon Gary White Deer and Lakota historian Dakota Wind Goodhouse reflect on the legacies of Irish involvement in Indigenous history.