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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Janie Ducheneaux

Tribal leaders call for urgent action on public safety crisis

Oglala Sioux Tribe president: ‘We need results’

Fort Peck Tribes ban discussions with data center developers

Nora Mabie, Montana Free Press

On the Blackfeet Reservation, families learn to search for their own missing relatives

Nora Mabie and Lauren Miller, Montana Free Press

Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

Remembering the fallen warriors of Greasy Grass

By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Fort Peck Tribes ban discussions with data center developers

The vote comes amid mounting data center opposition in Montana, and as developers nationwide target tribal land for building

Nora Mabie, Montana Free Press

On the Blackfeet Reservation, families learn to search for their own missing relatives

As Indigenous people go missing and are murdered at disproportionately high rates, families learn forensic skills to find their own loved ones.

Nora Mabie and Lauren Miller, Montana Free Press

Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

Remembering the fallen warriors of Greasy Grass

Our Buffalo’s Fire Memorial Wall is open to descendants. Post your tribute and share your story

By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

ShineThe Shine series explores limitations and solutions to government transparency in Indian Country.

South Dakota

South Dakota universities’ Native American enrollment rises to pre-pandemic level

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight

Camp Grafton

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

John Hult, North Dakota Searchlight

Report details wide disparity between Native American and white health in South Dakota

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight

‘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

Other stories in South Dakota

Montana

Real Bird Reenactment on June 27, 2026

Bringing Little Bighorn to life

By Maria Hawkins

Beyond the 150th

By Buffalo's Fire

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

Other stories in Montana

North Dakota

Citing Callais, appeals court vacates Native American redistricting win in North Dakota

Jen Rice, Democracy Docket

Roosevelt Drones

Conservation contradiction

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library: The irony of this celebration 'could not be sharper’

By Grace Hansen

Energy Development

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

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

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

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Other stories in North Dakota