News from the Northern Plains

Native Life

Native Issues

Reporting on the issues that shape Native life — from tribal sovereignty and education to healthcare, housing, and economic development.

Native community holds MMIP prayer walk in Bismarck

Attendees gather on Valentine’s Day to remember loved ones, call for justice

Sovereignty

Oglala Sioux Tribe demands release of tribal members in ICE custody

Historic Preservation

Legislation signed to protect Wounded Knee memorial site

Reporters’ Notebook: The year that was

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

Federal Recognition

Lumbee Tribe to receive federal recognition after 70 years of state distinction

Government to government relations

Oglala Sioux Tribe denounces Defense Department’s refusal to revoke soldiers’ Wounded Knee medals

Other stories in Sovereignty

Education

Making cough syrup, building houses: Standing Rock students learn through community engagement

White Earth tribal administrator gets boost from Bush Fellowship

UTTC food sovereignty coordinator restores campus medicine wheel

North Dakota tribes Indigenize latest school textbooks

Couple with Bismarck roots seeds endowment for UTTC students with $100,000 donation

Leadership Growth

Educator John Little advocates for more Natives in higher ed

Other stories in Education

Land & Water

Food sovereignty

UTTC student raises $12k in food drive for North Dakota and Montana

‘We need involvement’: Indigenous leaders demand change at COP30

Environmental Stewardship

‘Good fire’ at Chaa-lamali: Young Natives practice cultural burn

UTTC Tribal Summit: Cody Two Bears urges tribal nations to unite for sovereignty

Lake Stewardship

Native nations push through funding uncertainties to keep protecting the Great Lakes

UTTC agriculture students connect with Native roots

Other stories in Land & Water

Murdered & Missing Indigenous Peoples

Runaway children in the Dakotas account for majority of missing Indigenous persons reports

Q&A: Kimberly Lining on what it takes to be a volunteer for an MMIP organization

MMIP Christmas tree shines brightly at North Dakota State Capitol

D’Angelo Hunt pleads not guilty to murdering his older brother Isaac Hunt

D’Angelo Hunt indicted for voluntary manslaughter of ‘J.M.P.’ — initials match missing partner Jemini Posey

Six year anniversary of Standing Rock unsolved murder

Other stories in Murdered & Missing Indigenous Peoples

Health & Wellness

‘BlueJay’s Canoe’ tackles Native life during pandemic and wildfires

Healing Journey

Conference addresses gender-based violence in Native communities

Congress and USDA have yet to act on year-old recommendations that could alleviate food insecurity among tribes

Other stories in Health & Wellness

Cultural Preservation

Whale’s tragic demise brings two worlds together

Crow tribe considers enrollment reset

Traditional foods

Why you should Indigenize your holiday meals — and recipes to help you do it

Beyond the red suit: How Native Santas are reclaiming holiday representation

Sesquicentennial

Tribes plan to ‘rock’ the Little Bighorn Battlefield during 150th commemoration

Cultural Revival

MHA Nation filmmaker wins award for short documentary

Other stories in Cultural Preservation

Housing

Standing Rock woman’s personal history inspires her to help others

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians celebrate grand opening of affordable housing development

Other stories in Housing

Economic Development

Community Vision

North Dakota Native-led nonprofit eyes massive cultural center project in Bismarck

UTTC International Powwow flexes its cultural and economic muscle

Creative Wealth

Bush fellow to explore culturally attuned investment strategies for fellow creatives

Other stories in Economic Development

Press Freedom

Dispatch from the IJA conference: As event winds down, president reflects on ‘full-circle’ moment

Other stories in Press Freedom