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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Department of the Interior recently released a new Strategic Direction for the Bureau of Indian Education, establishing a performance-driven roadmap to improve student outcomes, strengthen Native language and culture and enhance operational effectiveness across Bureau-funded schools. The Strategic Direction reinforces tribal sovereignty and local control by prioritizing flexible, community-driven approaches rather than one-size-fits-all p...
OKMULGEE, Okla.—The College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) and Southern Nazarene University (SNU) are forming a partnership to help CMN graduates who earn their associate's degree move ahead to earn their bachelor's degree. Discussions for the partnership began through both colleges being part of the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium. "This articulation agreement is to benefit the graduates. It gives them an opportunity and ability to move into that bachelor's degree program. W...
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced a new partnership between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education to prepare Native students for careers in wildland firefighting, strengthening the workforce while creating clear school-to-career pathways for tribal youth. Through the Native Youth Firefighter Training Program, high school and post-secondary students receive hands-on instruction, mentorship and technical training that p...
ADA, Okla.—Fitness trainers will tell you motivation is one of the hardest hurdles to overcome in a workout regime. To provide inspiration and get people walking, the Chickasaw Nation developed the AYA Walk application. As users reach walking milestones, 15 virtual Chickasaw walking partners drawn from both history and fiction share stories of the tribe's history, culture and language. "History, culture and storytelling are embedded in the app in various ways. The main c...
TORONTO, Ont.—The Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Regulatory Coordination that strengthens collaboration and alignment in their respective regulatory roles in the Northwest Territories, in partnership with Indigenous governments and organizations. Under the agreement, the two departments reaffirm their commitment to working together and wi...
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Department of the Interior today affirmed its commitment to tribal sovereignty by adding the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to the official list of federally recognized tribes, formalizing the tribe's government-to-government relationship with the United States and carrying out federal recognition enacted into law in December 2025. "Federal recognition is about respect, accountability and self-determination," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "...
DARTMOUTH, N.S.—Chief Bob Gloade of Millbrook First Nation and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty recently announced the addition of over 7 hectares (17.35 acres) to Millbrook First Nation through the Addition to Reserve process. This addition will open new opportunities for Millbrook First Nation: opportunities to plan, to grow, and to invest in the future. "This is a momentous occasion for our community. We have been working for a number of years on m...
WASHINGTON, D.C—The Department of the Interior recently announced that the Bureau of Indian Education reached its highest graduation rate in its history, reflecting sustained reforms and accountability measures. Student graduation rates at Bureau of Indian Education-funded high schools increased from 51 percent in 2015 to 79 percent in 2025. These gains surpass pre-pandemic levels and continue despite national declines in student outcomes following the COVID–19 pandemic. “Th...
If you're attending these events, come by and meet us! If you would like ILM to participate in your event, contact Todd at director@intertriballife.org. Jan 23-25: Every Story Matters Testimony Conference, Garden Hill, Man. Feb 6-7: Manitoba Missionfest, Winnipeg, Man. March 13-15: Every Story Matters Testimony Conference, Sioux Lookout, Ont. April 10-12: Easter Gospel Outreach, Mînî Thnî, Alb. May 14-17: Native Youth Conference, Camp Nakamun, Busby, Alb....
Recently, Intertribal Life Ministries and Northern Canada Evangelical Mission partnered to create a new, expanded edition of Maskipiton: Peace Chief. Maskipiton is an encouraging true story about a great Indigenous leader who chose peace over war when he decided to follow the Creator God and begin a relationship with His son, Jesus. With nearly three dozen illustrations, this story is not only for younger people, it is encouraging for readers of all ages. We've included an...
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 (NIV) Many people are not living for today. That includes me, at times. The enemy would love for us to live either in the past or in the future. It is so easy to live in the past, and we could be living with much regret . . . "If I only I had done it this way, if only I hadn't done that." You can be so busy thinking about what you did or didn't...
1. Prepare. While the Council Fire daily devotional is printed in a handy size that you can carry and read anywhere, we suggest you make it part of a special time with the Lord. If at all possible, it’s good to choose the same time each day so you can get into a routine (it only takes three weeks to develop a habit!). Try to choose a time when you will not face as many interruptions, and take steps to limit distractions (like turning off your phone or television for a while). Gather your materials—your Council Fire daily dev...
Lac La Biche, Alb.-On January 12, the doors opened for Keywatin Discipleship Centre (KDC) in Lac La Biche, Alberta. The eight-week, on-site program, designed especially for Indigenous people, will offer Bible classes, including an overview of the Bible, ministry opportunities, activities, and life skills training. Students will also receive "mentoring and help working through past problems to come to a place of healing from Jesus and growing in the Lord," says Lori Ward, one...
Washington, D.C.-The U.S. Marshals Service will be permitted to partner with tribal law enforcement in cases involving missing indigenous children under legislation proposed by two senators who represent states with numerous tribes. The efforts of Senators Markwayne Mullin (R, Oklahoma) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D, Nevada) were applauded by LaRenda Morgan, who helped lead the effort that led to passage in Oklahoma of "Ida's Law," named for her cousin Ida Beard, who went...
Washington, D. C.-In mid-December, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced at the meeting of the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC) two final pro-growth and deregulatory tax regulations that support the prosperity of Tribal businesses and families and recognize the sovereignty of Tribal governments. The first rule implements the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014, which confirms that Tribes may provide assistance...
Wounded Knee, S.D.—In mid-December, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, was signed into law. "It has been almost 135 years to the day of the tragedy that unfolded at Wounded Knee and [now], the president signed my bill into law to preserve the land where hundreds of lives were lost," said U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), who sponsored the bill. "I am grateful the Oglala and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes will be able to hold this land in p...
Swanton, Vt.-The Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs has announced that an American Abenaki curriculum is now available for Vermont educators. This curriculum has been designed by the four Abenaki communities in Vermont. Commission Vice Chair Jeff Benay, who also chairs the American Abenaki Curriculum Planning Committee, told reporter Pat Bradley and WAMC Northeast Public Radio that the idea of creating a curriculum focused on the state-recognized tribe has taken yea...
Langdon, Alb.—Intertribal Life Ministries is thrilled to announce that Council Fire devotionals are now available in podcast form, and www.councilfire365.org went live on January 1, 2026. A new podcast is published daily, not only online, but also on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and anywhere podcasts are presented. You will find links on www.councilfire365.org. Over the past two years, more than 30,000 printed copies of Council Fire daily devotionals, written exclusively by I...
Hanover, N.H.—Michigan's Upper Peninsula is not considered a strong location for large-scale farming, with its cold weather, brief growing season, and thick forests. However, a new study by Dartmouth researchers has found that in the past, earlier members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin apparently had large, successful farms and agricultural centers from around 1000 to 1600. In fact, the researchers feel the area at the Sixty Islands archaeological site on the M...
If you're attending these events, come by and meet us! If you would like ILM to participate in your event, contact Todd at director@intertriballife.org. Dec 5-7: Mini Thni Christmas Gospel Outreach, Mini Thni, AB. Jan 23-25: Every Story Matters Testimony Conference, Garden Hill MB Feb 6-7: Manitoba Missionfest, Winnipeg MB March 13-15: Every Story Matters Testimony Conference, Sioux Lookout ON...
WASHINGTON—Seven Cherokee Nation veterans, including those from the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Operation Just Cause, were honored at national monuments recently for their dedication with a "Warrior Flight," the 13th flight sponsored by the Cherokee Nation. During the four-day trip, Cherokee Warriors toured the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veteran's Memorial, Vietnam Wall Memorial, and other sites. Mark Harper, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of a military-style aviation...
Prince George, B.C.-In what's being touted as the first program of its kind in Canada, the British Columbia First Nations Justice Council has begun a new program that will offer an alternative to being criminally charged to some Indigenous people. The new Indigenous Diversion Centre in downtown Prince George offers Indigenous offenders the option to participate in a 90-day therapeutic plan in which they would commit to a set of activities in order to have their charges...
Phoenix, Ariz.-Seven days a week, 365 days a year, the StrongHearts Native Helpline provides care and services for Indigenous people experiencing domestic violence. On Sept. 24, it earned the title of National Indigenous Domestic Violence Hotline with new direct funding from the federal government. The StrongHearts line was first established in 2017. The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center and the National Domestic Violence Hotline collaborated on its creation after...
Langdon, Alb.—On November 1, 2025, Intertribal Life Ministries (ILM) hosted a Dessert Night fundraiser at The Meeting Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This Dessert Night replaced the annual fall fundraising banquet and offered a plethora of desserts, music, fellowship, and testimonies for 170 attendees. The event featured the music of the Elias Family Band. Kevin and Kim Elias and their four sons travel extensively, sharing the love and grace of God through energetic, b...
Ottawa, Ont.-On behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), General Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann recently apologized for racial discrimination and harassment Indigenous members and other people of color have faced while serving in the CAF. "For way too long, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, Asian and other racialized members of the CAF faced systemic barriers that limited their ability to serve, contribute and thrive as...
