The Daily Spark

Grand Forks casino bill fails after controversial remarks

A North Dakota state senator’s comments about the proposed Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians casino in Grand Forks sparked backlash. Sen. Diane Larson (R-Bismarck) questioned the funding source, speculating it could be tied to drug cartels, despite the tribe's clarification that the $300 million project would be financed through private and tribal funds. Larson's remarks led to strong criticism, with some Republican colleagues calling the comments inappropriate. The proposed casino, which aimed to revitalize the tribe’s economy, was ultimately voted down 29-1.

Wetlands restoration supports wocus plants, a tribal food source

In Southern Oregon, efforts to restore wetlands are helping to revive wocus plants, a vital food for the Klamath Tribes. These plants, known for their nutritious bulbs, have been threatened by agricultural drainage and pollution. The Riddle family, along with local farmers and organizations, are working to restore habitats and reintroduce wocus through innovative techniques like planting in biodegradable pots. The project highlights the connection between wetland restoration and tribal food sovereignty.

Tribal solar projects stalled as federal funding pauses

A federal funding pause is jeopardizing the “Northern Plains Tribal Solar for All” program, an initiative designed to lower energy costs and create jobs in Native communities. Led by Indigenized Energy and the Tribal Renewable Energy Coalition, the program aimed to provide solar power to households across Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Advocates say the delay threatens tribal economies and energy sovereignty, calling for urgent action to restore funding.

Wisconsin native helps document white house legacy

Dr. Matthew Costello, a Wisconsin native and chief education officer at the White House Historical Association, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the White House. Founded by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961, the WHHA collects artifacts, supports research, and educates the public. Costello, who grew up in Muskego, leads efforts to encourage new scholarship and make White House history more accessible to all.

Bureau of Indian Education layoffs impact tribal communities

The Bureau of Indian Education is laying off 40 employees, including Communications Specialist Paige Willett, as part of broader federal job cuts affecting Indian Country. Tribal leaders warn the layoffs will have widespread economic and social effects, particularly in Oklahoma, where multiple tribal schools and BIA offices operate. It remains unclear if some cuts will be reversed, but officials say the reductions threaten promised services to Indigenous nations.

Nebraska capitol to honor Genoa boarding school survivors

The Nebraska State Capitol will be illuminated in orange on Feb. 27 to honor survivors and descendants of the Genoa Indian Industrial School. Originally scheduled for Feb. 20, the lighting was postponed due to unsafe roof conditions. The school, which operated from 1884 to 1934, was part of a federal effort to forcibly assimilate Native children. Officials say the event acknowledges this painful history while recognizing survivors' resilience.

Environmental groups challenge FERC’s limited pipeline review

Sierra Club and Public Citizen are urging the D.C. Circuit to reject the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision to review only a 1,000-foot section of the 157-mile Saguaro Connector Pipeline. The groups argue FERC lacked evidence to support its claim that the pipeline would transport only Texas-produced gas, which affects its jurisdiction. They say the project should be reviewed in full, as its sole purpose is to export gas to Mexico. The case is ongoing.

Washington tribe seeks role in Skagit river salmon case

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is seeking to file an amicus brief in a lawsuit over a proposed tide-gate project that federal officials say threatens salmon populations. A Skagit County dike district opposes the tribe’s request, arguing its treaty rights are not central to the case. The tribe says its perspective is vital, as Chinook salmon are crucial to its culture and subsistence. A judge previously denied the tribe’s request to intervene directly. The case is ongoing.

Bill would let tribes request FEMA fire assistance directly

A bipartisan bill reintroduced in the U.S. Senate would allow tribal governments to request Fire Management Assistance Grant declarations directly from FEMA, bypassing state approval. Lawmakers say the change would streamline wildfire response and uphold tribal sovereignty. Tribes currently face barriers in accessing federal fire disaster aid, despite being disproportionately affected by wildfires. The bill is backed by tribal organizations and awaits review by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security.

Burt Lake Band seeks $1.5M in legal fees over recognition fight

The Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is asking a federal court for $1.5 million in attorney fees after a yearslong legal battle with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Michigan-based tribe argues the government caused unnecessary delays in finalizing a rule allowing denied tribes to reapply for federal recognition. A judge previously ruled in the tribe’s favor, calling the DOI’s restrictions “arbitrary and capricious.” The case continues.

Oklahoma fights records request in critical race theory lawsuit

Oklahoma officials are pushing back against civil rights groups seeking documents related to House Bill 1775, which limits how race and gender topics are taught in public schools. The state argues the request is overly broad and includes privileged materials. Advocacy groups, including the ACLU, say the law unlawfully restricts free speech and disproportionately affects students and educators of color. A federal judge previously blocked parts of the law. The case is ongoing.

Trial monitors to assess fairness in Dakota Access Pipeline lawsuit

A team of attorneys, activists, and academics will monitor the upcoming trial between Energy Transfer and Greenpeace to evaluate whether proceedings meet human rights standards. Energy Transfer, the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, accuses Greenpeace of defamation and inciting criminal behavior during the 2016-2017 protests. Greenpeace argues the lawsuit is an attempt to silence advocacy. Concerns over jury bias, transparency, and public access have been raised ahead of the Feb. 24 trial in Mandan, North Dakota.

Multi-state effort brings over 2,300 bison back to Indigenous communities

Thanks to a multi-state effort led by the Tanka Fund, the Inter-Tribal Buffalo Council, and The Nature Conservancy, over 2,300 bison have been returned to Indigenous communities since 2020. This effort aims to revitalize the bison population, which once roamed the Great Plains in the millions before near extinction. These organizations are restoring bison not only for ecological conservation but also for cultural, spiritual, and economic benefits. Tanka Fund Executive Director Dawn Sherman emphasized the significance of the bison's return to Native communities, noting its role in food sovereignty, health, and community development.

Feds seek pause on North Dakota methane rule lawsuit amid Trump review

The federal government has requested a pause in the lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s 2024 methane waste rule, following President Trump’s executive order aimed at boosting energy production. The rule, which aims to reduce methane leaks and flaring, has been blocked by a preliminary injunction from a North Dakota federal judge. North Dakota, Montana, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming argue that the rule oversteps federal authority and could harm state revenues, while the Interior Department maintains the rule modernizes outdated regulations. In addition, Trump’s Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, issued an order to rescind the rule. The case is currently on hold as the court decides whether to pause the lawsuit.

Murkowski urges Senate to protect tribes from Trump’s DEI orders

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is calling on lawmakers to shield Indigenous tribes from potential funding cuts under President Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. She warns that confusion over these policies could disrupt federal funding for critical tribal services, including healthcare, education, and economic development. Murkowski met with Trump’s budget director, urging him to reaffirm the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to tribes. The National Congress of American Indians has also raised concerns over funding freezes and their impact on tribal sovereignty.

Forest Service defends Twisp Restoration Project in Ninth Circuit

The U.S. Forest Service urged a Ninth Circuit panel to uphold its Twisp Restoration Project, a 24,000-acre forest management plan in Washington’s Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The North Cascades Conservation Council argues the agency violated environmental laws by failing to reopen public comment after a 2021 wildfire altered the project’s scope. Federal officials contend the plan remains consistent with its original goals. Judges questioned whether post-fire changes warranted further review. A ruling is pending.

Trump administration targets Supreme Court ruling on firing protections

The Trump administration is moving to overturn Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, a 90-year-old Supreme Court precedent that limits the president’s ability to fire officials from independent agencies without cause. Acting U.S. Solicitor General Sarah Harris confirmed the administration’s legal challenge, citing concerns over executive authority. If successful, the move could reshape federal governance, impacting agencies like the FTC and NLRB. Legal experts say the conservative-leaning Supreme Court may be open to the shift.

EPA layoffs, contract cuts impact environmental justice programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fired 388 probationary employees and canceled $60 million in contracts tied to diversity, equity, and environmental justice initiatives. The moves align with President Donald Trump’s executive orders to eliminate such programs. Critics, including union representatives, warn the cuts could slow efforts to protect public health, particularly in the Great Lakes region. Additional layoffs and funding reductions may follow.

Minnesota tribes could expand cannabis businesses under proposed compacts

Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized tribes may soon be able to license up to five cannabis dispensaries each outside of their reservation lands under proposed state compacts. The agreements, part of a 2023 law signed by Gov. Tim Walz, aim to strengthen tribal economic sovereignty and create a regulated market. Five tribes currently operate cannabis businesses, with the Prairie Island Indian Community recently announcing a large cultivation site. Licensing applications open Feb. 18.

Sacred Pipe Resource Center hosts Galentine's Day event tonight

Sacred Pipe Resource Center will host a Galentine's Day celebration tonight at the Ramada Hotel in the Judicial Room from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature entertainment by Elvis impersonator Lloyd Aron Douglas, a buffet dinner starting at 6:30 p.m., and a bachelor and bachelorette silent auction to support Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women Outreach.

Preregistration is required. All are welcome.