Buffalo's Fire Sections

Politics

Reporting on tribal, state and national politics — from policy shifts to legislative decisions shaping Native communities.

Tribal Consultation

Senate to vote on future of bill that raises concerns about tribal sovereignty and data center construction

A busy weekend for BAAJA included new amendments and White House support. Tribes and progressives remain opposed

Northern Cheyenne

Northern Cheyenne political standoff escalates with trespassing notice for ousted president Gene Small

By Shaun Griswold

Tribal Elections

MHA Nation certifies election results, swears in Darwin David Williams as chairman

By Shaun Griswold

Tribal Elections

Northern Cheyenne Tribe elects five council members after year of turmoil

By Shaun Griswold

Northern Cheyenne

Northern Cheyenne political standoff escalates with trespassing notice for ousted president Gene Small

BIA notifies council that Small and supporters must vacate Capitol building or face criminal charges

By Shaun Griswold

Tribal Elections

MHA Nation certifies election results, swears in Darwin David Williams as chairman

Williams calls for solidarity after “historic election”

By Shaun Griswold

Tribal Elections

Northern Cheyenne Tribe elects five council members after year of turmoil

BIA acknowledges results; voters wrote in more than 100 names

By Shaun Griswold

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

Tribal Elections

‘Unprecedented moment’: Swearing-in ceremony for new MHA Nation Chairman Darwin D. Williams to be open to the public

Williams ran on a platform of transparent governance

By Shaun Griswold

Elections

Deb Haaland elected governor of New Mexico

Voters elect first female Native American governor in U.S. history

By Shaun Griswold

Live

Election 2026

Election Day: Indian Country awaits results

Live updates as people take to the polls

Election 2026

By the numbers: A historic year for Indigenous candidates

The number of Indigenous candidates who ran for public office has jumped by nearly 400 percent compared to 2016, according to ICT database

Pauly Denetclaw, ICT

Elections

On the campaign trail with Deb Haaland

Severe flooding highlights needs for rural infrastructure during final week of New Mexico governor’s race

By Shaun Griswold

National Congress of American Indians

NCAI leaders share concern over permitting bill that could override tribal sovereignty

83rd convening of Native leadership ends with resolutions supporting free press, traditional ceremonies and tribal land management

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

Tribal Transparency

How leaders of Native nations can look to their peers for guidance on transparency and accountability

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe's government has been beset with rumors and constitutional chaos. Approaches taken by other tribes could offer insight into resolving the conflict

By Bret Anne Serbin

Election 2026

Free photo IDs available at North Dakota tribal nations ahead of election

Eligible North Dakota residents 18 and older without a driver’s license can receive nondriver photo IDs, which the department says are mailed within five days

Michael Achterling, North Dakota Monitor

Midterm elections

Montana Republican congressional candidate ties Indian Country safety to immigration enforcement

Vying to represent western Montana in the U.S. House, Aaron Flint appeared at a Kalispell rally with President Trump Wednesday

By Bret Anne Serbin

Northern Cheyenne

Gene Small tapes over surveillance cameras at Northern Cheyenne headquarters

The tribe’s Capitol building has been closed since Small was removed as president: Why was he inside the building days later?

By Shaun Griswold

Tribal Government

Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council wields its power after members return to office

The council authorized payments to Trustland Consultants and filled an open seat on the Northern Cheyenne Development Corporation

By Shaun Griswold

Northern Cheyenne

Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council removes Gene Small as president: ‘He is now just a civilian’

Small contests decision, claims he’s still president as council appoints temporary replacement

By Shaun Griswold

Contested government

‘Barnyard circus’: Northern Cheyenne leaders speak out a year after being ousted

Courts pave way for return of the council members, who see ongoing problems with safety, service delivery stemming from government turmoil

By Bret Anne Serbin

Northern Cheyenne

Northern Cheyenne’s specially elected council has been governing ‘unlawfully,’ appellate court finds

New ruling reaffirms the authority of council members who were ousted in 2025

By Bret Anne Serbin

MHA Nation Election

MHA Nation chairman voters oust one incumbent for November election

Two segment incumbents re-elected while Four Bears set for general runoff

By Shaun Griswold