Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance
September 21, 2024
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Rough Rider Center in Watford City hosted North Dakota Petroleum Council's annual two-day conference. (Photo credit/ Grace Fiori) Rough Rider Center in Watford City hosted North Dakota Petroleum Council's annual two-day conference. (Photo credit/ Grace Fiori) Environment

Oil industry forecasts modest production from Bakken-Three Forks shale, spotlight on technology to spur development

  • September 20, 2024

This week, the North Dakota Petroleum Council’s annual conference welcomed hundreds of local and national industry stakeholders to discuss the future of the country’s third-largest oil-producing state. Several presenters emphasized a desire to access underdeveloped reserves, local workforce development, and ... Read More

A group of Oglala Sioux gather by the grave of James Cornman (at lower left) at the Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery in Pennsylvania. Three Oglala students who died at Carlisle - Fannie Charging Shield , Samuel Flying Horse, and James Cornman - were among 11 Native youths disinterred from the Carlisle cemetery starting Sept. 6, 2024, to be repatriated to their homelands. Pictured are, from left, Justin Pourier, Anna Diaz, Steve Durbay Jr., Steve Durbay Sr., and Jerome LeBeaux. (Photo by Charles Fox, special to ICT) Featured A group of Oglala Sioux gather by the grave of James Cornman (at lower left) at the Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery in Pennsylvania. Three Oglala students who died at Carlisle - Fannie Charging Shield , Samuel Flying Horse, and James Cornman - were among 11 Native youths disinterred from the Carlisle cemetery starting Sept. 6, 2024, to be repatriated to their homelands. Pictured are, from left, Justin Pourier, Anna Diaz, Steve Durbay Jr., Steve Durbay Sr., and Jerome LeBeaux. (Photo by Charles Fox, special to ICT)

A group of Oglala Sioux gather by the grave of James Cornman (at lower left) at the Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery in Pennsylvania. Three Oglala students who died at Carlisle - Fannie Charging Shield , Samuel Flying Horse, and James Cornman - were among 11 Native youths disinterred from the Carlisle cemetery starting Sept. 6, 2024, to be repatriated to their homelands. Pictured are, from left, Justin Pourier, Anna Diaz, Steve Durbay Jr., Steve Durbay Sr., and Jerome LeBeaux. (Photo by Charles Fox, special to ICT)

Home from Carlisle: A father’s wish fulfilled after more than 130 years

  • September 20, 2024

A group of Oglala Sioux gather by the grave of James Cornman (at lower left) at the Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery in Pennsylvania. Three Oglala students who died at Carlisle - Fannie Charging Shield , Samuel Flying Horse, and James Cornman - were among 11 Native youths disinterred from the Carlisle cemetery starting Sept. 6, 2024, to be repatriated to their homelands. Pictured are, from left, Justin Pourier, Anna Diaz, Steve Durbay Jr., Steve Durbay Sr., and Jerome LeBeaux. (Photo by Charles Fox, special to ICT)

WARNING: This story contains disturbing details about residential and boarding schools. If you are feeling ... Read More

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warns that today's youth mental health crisis is the Featured U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warns that today's youth mental health crisis is the "defining public health issue of our time." He's right. More than 40% of teens report ongoing feelings of sadness and hopelessness. (Canva Art)

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warns that today's youth mental health crisis is the "defining public health issue of our time." He's right. More than 40% of teens report ongoing feelings of sadness and hopelessness. (Canva Art)

Leveraging Tennis to Combat Youth Mental Health Challenges

  • September 19, 2024

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warns that today's youth mental health crisis is the "defining public health issue of our time." He's right. More than 40% of teens report ongoing feelings of sadness and hopelessness. (Canva Art)

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warns that today’s youth mental health crisis is the “defining ... Read More

Representatives of Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Chickasaw Nation and Spirit Lake Nation testified before Congress on Wednesday (Graphic created via screenshots of House Appropriations Committee livestream) Featured Representatives of Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Chickasaw Nation and Spirit Lake Nation testified before Congress on Wednesday (Graphic created via screenshots of House Appropriations Committee livestream)

Representatives of Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Chickasaw Nation and Spirit Lake Nation testified before Congress on Wednesday (Graphic created via screenshots of House Appropriations Committee livestream)

‘Be that changemaker’: USDA consultation with tribal leaders follows congressional testimony

  • September 18, 2024

Representatives of Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Chickasaw Nation and Spirit Lake Nation testified before Congress on Wednesday (Graphic created via screenshots of House Appropriations Committee livestream)

Tribal leaders expressed cautious optimism following Thursday’s consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The ... Read More

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‘Be that changemaker’: USDA consultation with tribal leaders follows congressional testimony

  • September 18, 2024

Tribal leaders expressed cautious optimism following Thursday’s consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The meeting addressed the persistent food shortages faced by tribal food assistance programs following a congressional hearing last week. Participants identified critical changes necessary to prevent ... Read More

Representatives of Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Chickasaw Nation and Spirit Lake Nation testified before Congress on Wednesday (Graphic created via screenshots of House Appropriations Committee livestream)

Ojibwe language books headed to classrooms

  • September 18, 2024

“Amikogaabawiikwe” (“Beaver Bev”) is one of the 16 children’s book titles recently translated into the Ojibwe language. The books will be introduced into kindergarten and first-grade Ojibwe-immersion classrooms this fall.  Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network, or MIIN, worked with Minneapolis publishing company, Lerner Publishing ... Read More

Children's books translated into Ojibwe in collaboration of Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network and Lerner Publishing Group published August 2024. (Chandra Colvin, MPR News)

Locals falling for out-of-state treatment scams hope to raise awareness 

  • September 17, 2024

Cathyann Santos wanted to get clean. An offer came along that she couldn’t refuse.  A free flight to Southern California where she could get a new start at a sober home far away from her circle of users. Addicted to fentanyl, ... Read More

Kalisha Thomas, who died of an overdose at an addiction treatment facility in California on Dec. 16, 2022, posted this photo to Facebook the day before she died. (Photo provided by her mother Jolene Thomas)

Referendum advances as Three Affiliated Tribes go to polls with doubts about $250M payout

  • September 16, 2024

The Tribal Business Council’s controversial $250 million withdrawal from the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara People’s Fund took center stage during campaigns for primary elections on Tuesday. New candidates railed against incumbents’ lack of transparency and accountability in the decision. Several ... Read More

The Tribal Business Council’s controversial $250 -million withdrawal from the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara People’s Fund took center stage during campaigns for primary elections Sept. 17. (Photo credit/ Jodi Spotted Bear)

‘Gross negligence’: Shortages in USDA food aid for Native Americans blasted in Congress 

  • September 16, 2024

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack apologized to tribal communities this week for delays in shipments and delivery of expired food during a tense congressional hearing that highlighted widespread failures within the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Vilsack’s comments followed ... Read More

Warehouse worker Robert Paschal stocks a cooler with fresh produce at the Food Distribution Program at Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Nov. 6, 2018. (Photo by Preston Keres/U.S. Department of Agriculture)

BadAss Grandmas want you to get involved for democracy

  • September 16, 2024

This article is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org. An effort that started with ... Read More

Sarah Vogel, from left, Kathy Tweeten, Ellen Chaffee and Dina Butcher founded the BadAss Grandmas for Democracy. (Photo by Leah Black Photography, @leablackco)

Turning Robe honors family memories by dancing in Cradleboard Special

  • September 15, 2024

Sophia Turning Robe finds serenity in the dance circle, where her worries vanish as she immerses herself in the moment. She and her family often leave their home in Spokane, Wash. to traverse the country on the powwow trail year-round, ... Read More

Sophia Turning Robe usually competes in contests as a jingle dress dancer, but for the CradleBoard Special on Sept. 7 at the United Tribes powwow the Siksika Nation citizen wanted to showcase her family history. (Photo credit/ Adrianna Adame)

Mobilized by a $250 million mystery, North Segment candidates promise honesty

  • September 13, 2024

Three candidates vying for the North Segment seat on the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation Tribal Business Council addressed over 60 community members on Thursday. They promised to prioritize government transparency and long-neglected local needs.  The forum at the Civic Center ... Read More

Three of four candidates for North Segment's council seat hosted Thursday's community forum in New Town. (Photo credit/ Grace Fiori)