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Native Issues

Reporting on the issues that shape Native life — from tribal sovereignty and education to healthcare, housing and economic development.

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Indigenous groups turn out in Minneapolis for ‘No Kings’ protest, express centuries of resistance to political violence

Speakers and participants reflect on recent political violence

By Darren Thompson

LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit MMIP advocates push for inclusion

More than $21 million in federal money to support tribal highway and road projects

Minnesota’s first Indigenous-owned lab opens for business

By Darren Thompson

LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit MMIP advocates push for inclusion

‘The system often fails our relatives twice: once through violence and again through the paperwork’: Native LGBTQ+ community calls for data sovereignty, gender inclusive language and culturally relevant resources

More than $21 million in federal money to support tribal highway and road projects

Two tribes in North Dakota receive grants totaling more than $2 million

Minnesota’s first Indigenous-owned lab opens for business

Aya Labs is Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate’s first scientific business venture. Profits ‘do not leave Indian Country’

By Darren Thompson

Sovereignty

Experts discuss tribal sovereignty’s role in the growing hemp and cannabis industry

By Darren Thompson

Proposed agriculture funding bill impacts more than 80,000 Native producers

By Gabrielle Nelson

MHA Nation appeals court upholds $250M withdrawal from People’s Fund

By Erin Hoover Barnett

Bheri Rose Hallam gives Senator Lisa Murkowski a Mandan name

Action & Policy

Multiple tribal organizations join MHA Nation in honoring two members of Congress

By Darren Thompson

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Oglala Sioux Tribe demands release of tribal members in ICE custody

By Darren Thompson

Historic Preservation

Legislation signed to protect Wounded Knee memorial site

By Darren Thompson

Other stories in Sovereignty

Education

‘Our future does not hinge on the limbs of federal decision making,’ keynote speaker tells AIHEC crowd

By Darren Thompson

Making cough syrup, building houses: Standing Rock students learn through community engagement

By Gabrielle Nelson

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White Earth tribal administrator gets boost from Bush Fellowship

Sonia Ciaverelli

UTTC food sovereignty coordinator restores campus medicine wheel

By Gabrielle Nelson

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North Dakota tribes Indigenize latest school textbooks

Terry and Patty Leier

Couple with Bismarck roots seeds endowment for UTTC students with $100,000 donation

By Erin Hoover Barnett

Other stories in Education

Land & Water

Drilling project moves forward in the heart of the Black Hills

By Gabrielle Nelson

The Battle of the Little Bighorn (Greasy Grass): Why it’s still being fought

By Pier Paolo Bozzano

Cultural Protection

Bill adding Indigenous languages and rights for wild rice introduced to Minnesota legislature

By Darren Thompson

What a Superfund site is and how EPA cleanup works

By Gabrielle Nelson

Brandy Toft

A Superfund site in Minnesota is spreading, disrupting a tribe’s way of life

By Gabrielle Nelson

Tribal Oversight

Proposed gas pipeline in North Dakota could help reduce Bakken flaring

By Gabrielle Nelson

Other stories in Land & Water

Safety & Justice

No body, no crime? How prosecutors prove murder when a victim is missing

Armed Federal Agents on Park Avenue in Minneapolis

Tribal Response

MMIP groups and tribal councils condemn violence by federal law enforcement

Brittney Rough Surface and grand daughter

Standing Rock man assaulted hours before death by train

Benson County Deputy Chief Travis Carlson

Chief deputy charged with unlawful arrests of Spirit Lake citizens to make court appearance Jan. 16

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Standing Rock Sioux Tribe distances itself from former chair’s endorsement of Kristi Noem

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Native leaders in North Dakota urge use of tribal IDs, denounce ICE tactics

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Other stories in Safety & Justice

Murdered & Missing Indigenous Peoples

A year without answers: Renzo Bullhead’s family encourages those with information to come forward

Daughter’s concern for father grows after 11 months without contact

‘Beyond frustrating’: Family claims they weren't properly notified about 16-year-old’s disappearance

Samantha Houle

Granddaughter searches for missing grandfather nearly 50 years after disappearance

Native community holds MMIP prayer walk in Bismarck

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Cadavers help MMIP search volunteers prepare for the worst

Other stories in Murdered & Missing Indigenous Peoples

Health & Wellness

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‘BlueJay’s Canoe’ tackles Native life during pandemic and wildfires

Other stories in Health & Wellness

Cultural Preservation

Language Access

South Dakota governor signs Helen’s Law, requiring language translations in official state proceedings

By Darren Thompson

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DOJ opinion sparks new debate about legal protections for peyote

By Darren Thompson

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Politics, History

Native officials denounce Trump’s Little Bighorn revisionism

Cultural Resilience

For Two Spirits and Native LGBTQ+ people enduring a second Trump administration, the powwow must go on

Buffalo Restoration

‘Gaining back our identity’: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe looks to expand buffalo herd

By Gabrielle Nelson

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Whale’s tragic demise brings two worlds together

Other stories in Cultural Preservation

Housing

Angela 5_hd

Standing Rock woman’s personal history inspires her to help others

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians celebrate grand opening of affordable housing development

Other stories in Housing

Economic Development

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Community Vision

North Dakota Native-led nonprofit eyes massive cultural center project in Bismarck

Peyton Haug, North Dakota Monitor

Other stories in Economic Development

Politics

Federal Politics

Trump dumps Noem, taps Mullin to be next DHS Secretary

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Native Leadership

Native political organizer and activist running for South Dakota governor

By Gabrielle Nelson

Indigenous voices speak loudly at Bismarck ‘No Kings’ rally

By Gabrielle Nelson

Steve Sitting Bear

Tribal leadership

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe swears in new leaders

By Gabrielle Nelson

Other stories in Politics