Buffalo's Fire Sections

Heritage & History

Stories of the past and efforts to preserve the rich history and cultural knowledge of Native peoples.
National

Native perspectives shape reflections on America's 250th anniversary

Exhibits and Indigenous leaders highlight resilience, sovereignty, cultural continuity amid a complex history
Politics, History
Native officials denounce Trump’s Little Bighorn revisionism
The historic battlefield has been directed to remove signage sharing Native perspective on Custer’s Last Stand
By Brian Bull
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Heritage
Beyond the red suit: How Native Santas are reclaiming holiday representation
By blending tribal regalia with holiday tradition, Indigenous veterans in Oregon are creating a safe, inclusive space where children see themselves in the magic of Christmas.
By Brian Bull
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Sesquicentennial
Tribes plan to ‘rock’ the Little Bighorn Battlefield during 150th commemoration
Thousands of Natives expected to camp, bring horses, tell stories about Custer’s defeat
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
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ShineThe Shine series explores limitations and solutions to government transparency in Indian Country.
History
As Thanksgiving nears, educators work to avoid serving baloney
Teachers are incorporating Native perspectives into the holiday
By Brian Bull
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Community Voices
Why is Native American Heritage Month important?
We put the question to Native community members
By Gabrielle Nelson
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Little people, ghost cars, vengeful spirits: the Indigenous supernatural crosses past and present
A look at the unique elements of Native horror
By Brian Bull
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Video
Tipi of Terror: Buffalo's Fire staff share spooky Native stories
The Halloween season inspires many people to share chilling tales of the supernatural, and Natives are no exception. Share your own spooky stories with us!
By Brian Bull
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​​State Recognition
North Dakota proclaims First Nations Day and Native American Heritage Month
Governor highlights Indigenous people’s unique role in shaping the state’s history
By Buffalo's Fire
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Video
A shared history: memorial to Japanese American WWII inmates at Fort Lincoln
A memorial in the Snow County Prison, now the United Tribes Technical College campus
By Brian Bull
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Heritage Remembered
Lost in the flood: MHA Interpretive Center honors Elbowoods in new exhibit
Instead of burying the trauma, ‘we want people to talk through it’
By Gabrielle Nelson
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Explainer
Powwow etiquette: A respectful visitor’s guide
From the first drumbeat to the last song, respect carries the tradition forward
By Teresa Trumbly Lamsam, Ph.D.
Jingle Dress dance
Audio
A Nez Perce elder’s remembrance of Nagasaki resonates to this day
In an interview he recorded in 2000, Brian Bull speaks with his great uncle Horace Axtell about what he saw as an Army engineer in the days after the US dropped the atomic bomb
By Brian Bull
Photo of Horace Axtell in Nez Perce regalia
Powwow
Standing Rock holds its first Red Dress Special
More than 50 dancers perform for MMIP awareness and healing
By Jolan Kruse
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Cultural Revival
Standing Rock nonprofit connects people with Native traditions
Wozu preserves Indigenous knowledge, teaches group to raise tipi
By Gabrielle Nelson
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First food
Ready the skunk cabbage, it’s the great camas bake-off
Prized bulb is a traditional food that proves tricky to bake right
By Brian Bull
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Explainer
American Indian vs Native American: Which term is right and when?
A concise guide to when, why and how to use Native American, American Indian or a tribal name—so you don’t trip over history, law or respectful language
By Teresa Trumbly Lamsam, Ph.D.
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Heritage
The journey of dentalium: Tracing ancient trade routes along the Upper Missouri
The coveted seashell played a central role in ancient trade and cultural exchange
By Adrianna Adame
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Explainer
Dentalium: History and significance in Native American culture
For generations, Native Americans prized dentalium or tusk shells as currency, status symbols and sacred objects. Harvested in the Pacific, they were traded thousands of miles inland, held real value and have been used for over 6,600 years, continuing today
By Teresa Trumbly Lamsam, Ph.D.
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Activism continues
Leonard Peltier remains defiant in AP interview, maintaining innocence and vowing continued activism
Now on house arrest at his Turtle Mountain home in North Dakota, the 80-year-old again denies killing two FBI agents in 1975 and says he plans to mentor young organizers
Graham Lee Brewer, Associated Press
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