Sovereignty Courts Environment Rights Governance
Tribes Sue to Halt Drilling Near Sacred Pe’Sla Site
Nine tribes from South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska have filed a federal lawsuit to stop exploratory graphite drilling near Pe’Sla, a sacred ceremonial meadow in the Black Hills. The tribes argue that the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Agriculture approved the project without proper consultation or environmental review, violating the National Historic Preservation Act and NEPA. Demonstrators have also gathered at the drill sites, calling the effort a defense of treaty rights and sacred land.
The Black Hills—known to the Sioux as He Sapa, “the heart of everything that is”—have long been at the center of disputes over mining, land rights, and cultural protection. Tribal leaders say the drilling threatens ceremonial use, wildlife, and the integrity of a two-mile buffer zone previously agreed upon with federal agencies. Parts of Pe’Sla were purchased by Sioux tribes between 2012 and 2018, strengthening their claim that the area must remain protected from industrial development. CBS News and ABC News.
Damage to the Las Playas Intaglio Sparks Outrage Across O’odham Communities
A 1,000 year old geoglyph known as the Las Playas Intaglio—a massive fish-shaped ground carving sacred to the Tohono O’odham and Hia ced O’odham peoples— was severely damaged on April 23 when border wall contractors drove heavy machinery directly across the site. Federal waivers under the REAL ID Act allowed construction to bypass cultural and environmental protections, resulting in roughly one-third of the 272 foot long figure being destroyed. Archaeologists and tribal leaders say the damage was entirely avoidable, noting that the site had been previously identified as culturally sensitive and flagged for avoidance.
The destruction has prompted strong condemnation from O’odham leaders, who describe the incident as a desecration of an irreplaceable cultural and spiritual landmark. Tribal representatives emphasized that the intaglio is part of a broader sacred landscape and warned that other sites remain at risk as construction for a secondary border barrier continues. Archaeologists echoed these concerns, calling the damage “beyond mere vandalism” and criticizing the use of federal waivers that sidestep consultation requirements with tribes. The incident has intensified national debate over heritage protection, tribal sovereignty, and the long-term consequences of accelerated border infrastructure projects.
Tribal Water Sovereignty — Wind River Nations Push Back Against Federal Proposals
The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Nations continue to assert stronger control over water on the Wind River Reservation, a long-standing sovereignty issue now complicated by federal legislation and changing hydrological conditions. Recent reporting highlights how tribal leaders view water as both a treaty protected resource and a cultural foundation, making state and federal proposals especially sensitive.
As Wyoming’s water landscape evolves — with new conservation programs, infrastructure updates, and regulatory shifts — tribal nations are working to ensure their rights are not diluted. Their efforts unfold alongside statewide discussions at the Wyoming Water Forum, which continues its 2025– 2026 season with monthly presentations on conservation, harmful cyanobacteria blooms, and irrigation district challenges. Tribal representatives remain engaged in these processes, emphasizing that sovereignty must be central to any long-term water planning. WyoFile and Wyoming State Engineer’s Office.
Shakopee Mdewakanton Expand Food Sovereignty and Regional Aid Programs
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is expanding its nationally recognized food sovereignty initiatives this spring, increasing support for Native food producers across the Upper Midwest. Through its Understand Native Minnesota campaign and the Seeds of Native Health program, SMSC has announced new grants aimed at strengthening tribal agriculture, nutrition education, and traditional food systems. Tribal leaders say the expansion reflects a long-term commitment to improving Native health outcomes and supporting intertribal partnerships across the Northern Plains.
At the same time, SMSC continues to play a major regional role in philanthropy, distributing millions in grants to tribal nations and Native led organizations in Minnesota, the Dakotas, and beyond. Recent funding has supported language revitalization, cultural preservation, and emergency assistance programs. Community officials emphasize that these investments are part of a broader strategy to reinforce Indigenous self-determination and build stronger Native to Native networks throughout the region.
Three Nebraska Tribes Receive Major Federal Housing Grants
Three tribes in Nebraska were awarded significant HUD housing block grant funding: $5.2 million for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, a little over $2 million for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and the Santee Sioux Nation has been awarded a little more than $1 million
These funds support affordable housing development, rehabilitation, and community infrastructure. The awards are part of a national $1.1 billion tribal housing allocation. KCAU9
Genoa Boarding School Remembrance Honors Survivors and Recovers Lost Histories
Hundreds gathered in Genoa, Nebraska, this spring for the annual remembrance event at the site of the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School, one of the nation’s largest federal boarding schools operating from 1884 to 1934. Tribal citizens, descendants, and researchers came together to honor the children who were taken from their families and to acknowledge the ongoing work to identify students who never returned home. The ceremony included prayer, song, and the reading of newly recovered student names uncovered through archival research, a process that continues to reveal the scale of the school’s impact on tribes across the Plains.
The remembrance also highlighted the growing national effort to investigate burial sites and document the experiences of children forced into assimilation programs. Nebraska officials and tribal leaders emphasized the need for continued collaboration as the Genoa Indian School Digital Reconciliation Project expands its search for records and potential burial locations. For many families, the event serves as both a memorial and a step toward healing, reaffirming that the stories of the children who endured Genoa will not be forgotten. Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs (NCIA)
New IHS Housing Opens on Crow, Fort Belknap, and Blackfeet Reservations
The Indian Health Service has opened three new employee housing complexes on Montana reservations to address severe staffing shortages. The new units include the Medicine Spotted Beads Housing Complex at the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital, offering 18 units with amenities such as a fitness center and community area. Additional projects include a $1.8 million four-plex at Fort Belknap and the $20 million Akaimi Nitoyiks complex at Blackfeet Community Hospital. These developments are intended to improve recruitment and retention in areas where IHS vacancy rates can reach 47%. Kitchen Table News.
Four Montana Tribal Nations Join Lawsuit Against Voter Registration Restrictions
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Blackfeet Nation, Fort Belknap Indian Community, and Northern Cheyenne Tribe, along with Western Native Voice, have filed to intervene in a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 490, which restricts when Montanans can register to vote. Tribal leaders argue the law disproportionately harms Native voters in rural communities by eliminating most Election Day registration and tightening deadlines. They note this is the third time in six years they have had to challenge similar laws aimed at limiting Native voting access. Daily Montanan.
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May 8, 2026
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