Buffalo's Fire Sections

Cultural Preservation

Efforts to preserve and revitalize Native languages, arts, traditions and cultural practices.
String Games Christine Begay in snow
Winter tradition

'String games' arrive with the snow

Played in winter and put away when spring thunder arrives, string games help pass down stories, culture and learning in Diné and other communities worldwide
Dan Ninham, ICT
Education
The Blackfoot Origins of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
How Indigenous Ways of Life May Offer Us a Way Forward with Origins in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Teju Ravilochan
hierarchy of needs
Ledger Art: An homage to the past, creating art for the present and future
From prison camps and ledger books in the 1800s to a revival in the 1960s and 70s, artists say the paper and stories make the art form authentic
Harlan McKosato, ICT
Ledger Art
Gift guide
How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day, Native Style
A list of suggestions for celebrating Valentine’s Day, from speaking kind words and writing a hand-drum song to gifting regalia items, roses, meals and time together
By Buffalo's Fire
ShineThe Shine series explores limitations and solutions to government transparency in Indian Country.
Arts
Santa Fe’s Native artists push back against expectations of “Native art”
Artist Cannupahanska and others challenge what SAIA’s outgoing director calls the “Native box,” arguing heritage alone shouldn’t dictate materials, methods or narratives
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear and Matthew Irwin
Language
Arikara loses its last fluent speaker, deepening urgency to preserve tribal languages
On Fort Berthold, Melvina Everett’s death ended fluent classroom visits at White Shield School as experts warn most US Native languages are now considered moribund
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear