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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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

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

Environmental stewardship

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

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

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’

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

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

Legislators plan to learn about Native American health care, emergency services, disability care

Lawmakers establish task forces to study tribal Medicaid models, emergency service sustainability and disability waiver programs ahead of 2027

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight

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

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

‘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

UTTC professor reflects on the Battle of Powder River on its 150th anniversary

The first battle of the Great Sioux War ‘set the tone’ for the following 20 conflicts, including the Battle of the Little Bighorn

By Gabrielle Nelson

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

Help plan the 150th Battle of the Greasy Grass: complete the official participant survey

The event planning committees are requesting that all riding groups, families, and tribal delegations register their attendance plans now

By Buffalo's Fire

Tribes, horsemen, deep into planning for Little Bighorn 150th anniversary

Northern Cheyenne Tribe leads recent planning meeting

By Darren Thompson

Federal Politics

Trump dumps Noem, taps Mullin to be next DHS Secretary

If approved, Mullin would be second Native man to serve as U.S. Cabinet member

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