News from the Northern Plains

Buffalo's Fire Sections

Northern Plains

News from across North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana — covering state politics, legislation, the economy and events that matter to Native peoples.

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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

On the Blackfeet Reservation, families learn to search for their own missing relatives

Nora Mabie and Lauren Miller, Montana Free Press

South Dakota universities’ Native American enrollment rises to pre-pandemic level

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight

Citing Callais, appeals court vacates Native American redistricting win in North Dakota

Jen Rice, Democracy Docket

On the Blackfeet Reservation, families learn to search for their own missing relatives

As Indigenous people go missing and are murdered at disproportionately high rates, families learn forensic skills to find their own loved ones.

Nora Mabie and Lauren Miller, Montana Free Press

South Dakota universities’ Native American enrollment rises to pre-pandemic level

28% increase at Black Hills State accounts for much of systemwide growth in last year

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight

Citing Callais, appeals court vacates Native American redistricting win in North Dakota

The ruling sends the case back to district court, raising new barriers in the battle for better representation in North Dakota

Jen Rice, Democracy Docket

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

Bringing Little Bighorn to life

The Real Bird family has hosted the Battle of Greasy Grass for the past 35 years

By Maria Hawkins

Real Bird Reenactment on June 27, 2026

Conservation contradiction

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library: The irony of this celebration 'could not be sharper’

Roosevelt promoted conservation — something the Trump administration is actively working against, organizations say

By Grace Hansen

Roosevelt Drones

Beyond the 150th

Thousands gathered on the Montana plains to honor the warriors of 1876. Buffalo’s Fire is on the ground

By Buffalo's Fire

Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

Remembering the fallen warriors of Greasy Grass

Our Buffalo’s Fire Memorial Wall is open to descendants. Post your tribute and share your story

By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

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

Billy Kirkland

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

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

Report details wide disparity between Native American and white health in South Dakota

Examining the systemic barriers, mortality rates, and the proposed tribal-managed Medicaid solutions aimed at closing South Dakota's life expectancy gap

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight

‘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

Tribal elder convicted of threatening federal employee receives probation

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe citizen Joseph Lafferty must agree to community service, other conditions

Auditor’s Office claws back $37.3M in wrongful billing targeting Montana’s Native communities

Fraudsters abused Obamacare provision intended to help Indian Country

Keila Szpaller, Daily Montanan

Montana state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy withdraws from U.S. House primary amid ‘allegations of serious sexual abuse’

Pennsylvania woman alleges Windy Boy propositioned her underage daughter and niece in the early 2000s

Zeke Lloyd, Nora Mabie and John S. Adams, Montana Free Press

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

The administration has attacked tribal education second year in a row