News from the Northern Plains

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Northern Plains

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

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Energy Development

MHA Nation charts path to self-sufficiency by leveraging natural gas, data centers

Tribal leaders say natural gas, data centers and expanded infrastructure could help reduce long-term dependence on federal funding

Jacob Orledge, North Dakota Monitor

US Supreme Court sends North Dakota tribal redistricting case back for review

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Tribal Education

Cutting tribal college funding a threat to learning culture, self-determination, graduates say

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Tribal law enforcement academy, requested by South Dakota, will be located in North Dakota

John Hult, North Dakota Searchlight

US Supreme Court sends North Dakota tribal redistricting case back for review

High court orders appeals court to reconsider tribal voting rights lawsuit after recent ruling changed standards for racial gerrymandering cases

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Tribal Education

Cutting tribal college funding a threat to learning culture, self-determination, graduates say

At graduation on the Standing Rock Reservation, students said tribal colleges protect culture, close support

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Tribal law enforcement academy, requested by South Dakota, will be located in North Dakota

News comes as part of new push from BIA to address violent crime in tribal areas

John Hult, North Dakota Searchlight

Camp Grafton

ShineThe Shine series will explore limitations and solutions to press freedom and government transparency in Indian Country.

South Dakota

‘It’s about safety’: Broadband service uncertain as 150th anniversary of the Little Bighorn battle nears

Tribal elder convicted of threatening federal employee receives probation

Environmental stewardship

U.S. Forest Service and 11 tribes sign historic agreement to co-manage sacred area in South Dakota

South Dakota passes ‘Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens,’ fails to consult with tribes

By Darren Thompson

Legislators plan to learn about Native American health care, emergency services, disability care

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight

Drilling project moves forward in the heart of the Black Hills

By Gabrielle Nelson

Other stories in South Dakota

Montana

Auditor’s Office claws back $37.3M in wrongful billing targeting Montana’s Native communities

Keila Szpaller, Daily Montanan

Montana state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy withdraws from U.S. House primary amid ‘allegations of serious sexual abuse’

Zeke Lloyd, Nora Mabie and John S. Adams, Montana Free Press

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

By Pier Paolo Bozzano

UTTC professor reflects on the Battle of Powder River on its 150th anniversary

By Gabrielle Nelson

Help plan the 150th Battle of the Greasy Grass: complete the official participant survey

By Buffalo's Fire

Tribes, horsemen, deep into planning for Little Bighorn 150th anniversary

By Darren Thompson

Other stories in Montana

North Dakota

North Dakota tribal redistricting case still in limbo after Voting Rights Act decision

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Native administrators rail against Trump’s proposed elimination of funds for TCUs

Scott

Scott Davis steps down from Interior Department, returns to North Dakota

Greenpeace seeks new trial, claiming jury pool biased in case over Dakota Access Pipeline

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

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

Northern Plains Indigenous Film Festival to launch next month in Fargo

Other stories in North Dakota