Independent News from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

The Daily Spark

Quick Stories, Must Reads

North Dakota health agencies struggle after loss of federal grants

News and Information relevant to Native communities

Sundance Film Festival to relocate to Boulder in 2027

Sundance’s decision to move to Boulder promises new opportunities for independent filmmakers and offers a dynamic new home for Indigenous voices in film

Buffalo’s Fire

New bill could strengthen tribal energy independence

Legislation introduced by Senators Schatz and Curtis seeks to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles to increase energy opportunities for Native communities

Buffalo’s Fire

Education Advancement

Empowering Native futures: Native Forward celebrates 55 years of impact

The largest Native scholarship provider marks its anniversary with a gala honoring Indigenous scholars, alumni and advocates who have shaped higher education in Indian Country.

Buffalo’s Fire

Community Search

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

It’s been 10 days since Renzo Bullhead disappeared

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Pipeline Concerns

Public hearing set for proposed pipeline in Mountrail and Ward counties

Buffalo’s Fire

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

Buffalo’s Fire

Rural Uncertainty

USDA upheaval brings uncertainty to farmers, rural communities

Michael Standaert / North Dakota News Cooperative

Sovereignty, Community, Press Freedom.
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The Daily Spark

Quick stories, must reads

Bismarck-Mandan

North Dakota lawmakers to review key bills impacting Native American communities

Buffalo’s Fire

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

Voter registration, campaign finance reporting debated by North Dakota lawmakers

Northern Plains

‘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

School software provider is the latest target of major hack of personal data

Native Issues

Treaty Obligations

For Indian Country, federal cuts decimate core tribal programs

Alex Brown / North Dakota Monitor

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

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

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

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

Tribal Leadership

Rudy Soto to lead national tribal housing council

Two MMIP proposals advance at North Dakota Statehouse