Northern Arapaho Tribe Demands Foundations For Nations Church Leave Reservation

Pastor Sarah Lucas of the Foundations For Nations Church delivered a sermon on July 5 at the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, describing the Northern Arapaho Tribe’s sacred Sun Dance and pipe rituals as “idol worship.” Tribal leaders and more than 100 community members protested, demanding the church apologize and leave the reservation. The tribe’s Business Council called the remarks “despicable” and framed the dispute as a clash over religious freedom and tribal sovereignty. The church removed the video of the sermon from its YouTube channel but defended its right to preach.

In a related development, Native American inmates at a Nebraska state prison secured a settlement that lifted a temporary ban on accessing a space used for traditional ceremonies such as sweats and smudges. The settlement resolved a federal civil‑rights lawsuit and restored the inmates’ ability to practice their religion while incarcerated.