News from the Northern Plains

Buffalo's Fire Sections

North Dakota

News from North Dakota covering Native issues, politics, environment, education and more.

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Billy Kirkland

Tribal leaders call for sovereignty as federal support wavers

At the June 3 Government to Government Conference in Bismarck, leaders said proposed federal funding cuts threaten education, safety

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

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

Energy Development

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

Tribal leaders say natural gas, data centers and expanded infrastructure could help reduce long-term dependence on federal funding

Jacob Orledge, North Dakota Monitor

US Supreme Court sends North Dakota tribal redistricting case back for review

High court orders appeals court to reconsider tribal voting rights lawsuit after recent ruling changed standards for racial gerrymandering cases

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Tribal Education

Cutting tribal college funding a threat to learning culture, self-determination, graduates say

At graduation on the Standing Rock Reservation, students said tribal colleges protect culture, close support

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

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

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

News comes as part of new push from BIA to address violent crime in tribal areas

John Hult, North Dakota Searchlight

Camp Grafton

‘It’s about safety’: Broadband service uncertain as 150th anniversary of the Little Bighorn battle nears

Tourists, media, historians and tribal officials expected to drive up demand for high-speed internet during commemorative event

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

Supreme Court ruling did not settle whether private parties can sue under Section 2 in the tribes' map challenge

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Native administrators rail against Trump’s proposed elimination of funds for TCUs

The administration has attacked tribal education second year in a row

Scott Davis steps down from Interior Department, returns to North Dakota

Davis says he’ll continue supporting Native communities as a member of the private sector

Scott

Greenpeace seeks new trial, claiming jury pool biased in case over Dakota Access Pipeline

Group challenges $345M Dakota Access Pipeline verdict, citing jury bias and trial errors as appeals and bond dispute move forward

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

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

More than $21 million in federal money to support tribal highway and road projects

Two tribes in North Dakota receive grants totaling more than $2 million

Northern Plains Indigenous Film Festival to launch next month in Fargo

Festival attendees can participate in workshops on filmmaking and producing

AIHEC conference honors TCU students with awards for art, sports, academics

Student Awards Banquet held last day of conference

By Gabrielle Nelson

‘Our future does not hinge on the limbs of federal decision making,’ keynote speaker tells AIHEC crowd

Tribal college students travel through massive snowstorm to participate in annual education conference

By Darren Thompson

A year without answers: Renzo Bullhead’s family encourages those with information to come forward

The college student went missing in North Dakota on March 16, 2025

Language Access

South Dakota governor signs Helen’s Law, requiring language translations in official state proceedings

Law named after fluent Lakota speaker Helen Red Feather

By Darren Thompson

Daughter’s concern for father grows after 11 months without contact

‘I just want to be able to hear my dad’s voice again,’ says Natasha-Marie Powassin

‘Beyond frustrating’: Family claims they weren't properly notified about 16-year-old’s disappearance

Mason Cree’s aunt learns he is missing through social media post

Granddaughter searches for missing grandfather nearly 50 years after disappearance

Francis Houle went missing from the Colorado Springs area in 1979

Samantha Houle