News from the Northern Plains

Buffalo's Fire Sections

Land & Water

Environmental issues, land rights, natural resource management and water protection efforts across Native communities.

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Tribal leaders warned border wall construction would disturb Native American remains. They were right

Contractors erecting a second border wall along the southern boundary of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona have bulldozed a path for equipment, uprooting plants and unearthing human remains.

Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica

Tribes and tech

Reservations refuse data center developments, but some worry they’re missing out on opportunities

By Bret Anne Serbin

Natural Disasters

White House approves disaster relief for tribal communities hit by New Mexico floods

By Shaun Griswold

National Congress of American Indians

Tohono O’odham chairman on sacred site destruction: ‘If this can happen to us, it can happen to each and every one of you out there’

By Shaun Griswold

Tribes and tech

Reservations refuse data center developments, but some worry they’re missing out on opportunities

Emergent technologies raise concerns about natural resources, exploitation and education in Montana

By Bret Anne Serbin

Broadview, Montana

Natural Disasters

White House approves disaster relief for tribal communities hit by New Mexico floods

President Trump directs federal aid funding for Navajo Nation, Pueblo and Apache communities

By Shaun Griswold

National Congress of American Indians

Tohono O’odham chairman on sacred site destruction: ‘If this can happen to us, it can happen to each and every one of you out there’

The 83rd annual National Congress of American Indians convention began Monday

By Shaun Griswold

83rd Annual NCAI convention

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

Natives in Montana weigh in on Roadless Rule repeal as public deadline approaches

Forest Service has honored less than half of formal consultation requests

By Bret Anne Serbin

Beartooth Mountain Range, Montana

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

The Klamath Tribes couldn’t get federal dollars for salmon. Then the Yurok stepped in

For more than 100 years, salmon had been absent from the Klamath Tribes’ lands — a fact that cut them off from funding sources to fix that.

B. 'Toastie' Oaster, High Country News

All nine South Dakota tribes back effort to develop Black Hills land-return legislation

Tribal resolutions support legislation to return federal Black Hills lands to the Great Sioux Nation while preserving sacred sites and water resources

Black Hills uranium exploration permit hearing postponed to May

Drilling project’s opponents have raised concerns about Native American petroglyphs in Craven Canyon

Meghan O'Brien, South Dakota Searchlight

Environmental stewardship

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

The agreement concerns the Black Elk Wilderness, a ‘place of profound spiritual, cultural, and historical importance’

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

While new legislation aims to protect local customers from rising electricity rates, an Indigenous land conservation group is calling for a moratorium on data centers

By Darren Thompson

Drilling project moves forward in the heart of the Black Hills

Forest Service waives environmental assessment, disregarding cultural significance of Pe’ Sla

By Gabrielle Nelson

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

150 years after the "Greasy Grass" victory, the Lakota and Cheyenne are planning a massive 2026 commemoration—and still refuse a $1.5 billion settlement for their land

By Pier Paolo Bozzano

Cultural Protection

Bill adding Indigenous languages and rights for wild rice introduced to Minnesota legislature

State Senator Mary Kunesh introduced multiple bills that would add protections to wild rice, Minnesota’s state grain

By Darren Thompson

What a Superfund site is and how EPA cleanup works

Nearly 200 Superfund sites are on tribal land

By Gabrielle Nelson

A Superfund site in Minnesota is spreading, disrupting a tribe’s way of life

Little progress has been made despite 40 years of cleanup on Leech Lake Reservation

By Gabrielle Nelson

Brandy Toft

Tribal Oversight

Proposed gas pipeline in North Dakota could help reduce Bakken flaring

MHA Nation and Standing Rock say they will monitor pipeline progress for water and environment impact

By Gabrielle Nelson

Reporters’ Notebook: The year that was

Buffalo’s Fire reporters reflect on their biggest stories of 2025

By Buffalo's Fire

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

Resolution adopted at the Dec 17 Oceti Sakowin Treaty Conference calls for permanent protection of He Sápa (Black Hills) and an end to mining claims

By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

What a Southern Arizona tribe can teach others about tribal water rights

The monumental Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement celebrates its 21st anniversary

By Gabrielle Nelson

StephenLewis