News from the Northern Plains

Local News

Northern Plains

News from across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana — covering state politics, legislation, the economy, and events that matter to Native peoples.

Register for the free Buffalo's Fire Newsletter.

Federal Politics

Trump dumps Noem, taps Mullin to be next DHS Secretary

If approved, Mullin would be second Native man to serve as U.S. Cabinet member

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

Granddaughter searches for missing grandfather nearly 50 years after disappearance

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

‘I just want to be able to hear my dad’s voice again,’ says Natasha-Marie Powassin

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

Mason Cree’s aunt learns he is missing through social media post

Granddaughter searches for missing grandfather nearly 50 years after disappearance

Francis Houle went missing from the Colorado Springs area in 1979

Samantha Houle

South Dakota

unnamed-1

Native Leadership

Native political organizer and activist running for South Dakota governor

By Gabrielle Nelson

Historic Preservation

Legislation signed to protect Wounded Knee memorial site

By Darren Thompson

crow-indian-reservation-crow-fair-teepees

Crow tribe considers enrollment reset

James Giago Davies, Native Sun News Today

Oceti Sakowin Treaty Council calls for repeal of 1872 Mining Act, protection of He Sápa

By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

ProposedPrisonDesignSD

Criminal Justice

South Dakota legislators to consider prison proposal

IndigenousPeoplesDayCelebration

Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrations unite generations

Other stories in South Dakota

Montana

8488cf18-90df-4d7f-bb68-4c26c47e7469_1++

Food sovereignty

UTTC student raises $12k in food drive for North Dakota and Montana

By Gabrielle Nelson

IMG_3351_hd

Montana billboards demand justice for MMIP cases

children-and-ursuline-nuns

Catholic boarding school documents staying in Montana

Person alone

Schools receive third — and potentially final — round of federal funding for homeless students

Teck Coal’s Fording River coal mine

Pollution knows no borders

Police

Governor supports limited financial help for Flathead law enforcement

Other stories in Montana

North Dakota

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

Tribal Oversight

Proposed gas pipeline in North Dakota could help reduce Bakken flaring

By Gabrielle Nelson

Brittney Rough Surface and grand daughter

Standing Rock man assaulted hours before death by train

Benson County Deputy Chief Travis Carlson

Police Misconduct

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

121224_KristiNoemFB_Alkire

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

NDMONITOR-ICE-JAN11-2026-020-2048x1365

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

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Other stories in North Dakota