News from the Northern Plains

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Safety &Justice

Public safety, law enforcement, tribal justice systems and court cases affecting Native communities.

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Standing Rock boy airlifted to hospital, student athletes charged with assault

Was there a culture of tolerance among school officials that allowed it to happen?

No body, no crime? How prosecutors prove murder when a victim is missing

Tribal Response

MMIP groups and tribal councils condemn violence by federal law enforcement

Standing Rock man assaulted hours before death by train

No body, no crime? How prosecutors prove murder when a victim is missing

While proving a homicide without remains can be a challenge, conviction rates are high

Tribal Response

MMIP groups and tribal councils condemn violence by federal law enforcement

North and South Dakota tribes issue joint statement

Armed Federal Agents on Park Avenue in Minneapolis

Standing Rock man assaulted hours before death by train

Hoksila Running Bear was struck by a train following months of threats. His mother seeks answers

Brittney Rough Surface and grand daughter

ShineThe Shine series will explore limitations and solutions to press freedom and government transparency in Indian Country.

Chief deputy charged with unlawful arrests of Spirit Lake citizens to make court appearance Jan. 16

Travis Carlson was arrested in July following an investigation into the Benson County Sheriff’s Office

Benson County Deputy Chief Travis Carlson

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe distances itself from former chair’s endorsement of Kristi Noem

Following recent immigration actions by ICE, Chairman Sitting Bear emphasizes Janet Alkire’s support for former South Dakota governor was solely her own

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Native leaders in North Dakota urge use of tribal IDs, denounce ICE tactics

At least five Native people have been reportedly detained in Minneapolis by immigration authorities

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

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Minneapolis Native community gathers in prayer after intense week of ICE activity

NDN Collective founder calls for tribal nations to work with city and state partners to ban ICE

By Darren Thompson

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FBI investigating two weekend murders on North Dakota reservations

Suspects apprehended in both cases

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Community Organizing

Minneapolis Indigenous community organizes around ICE activity

‘We are under attack right now from our federal government’

By Darren Thompson

Reporters’ Notebook: The year that was

Buffalo’s Fire reporters reflect on their biggest stories of 2025

By Buffalo's Fire

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He Spent Funds Meant for Native Hawaiians on Polo and Porsches. The Federal Government Failed to Stop Him.

This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Honolulu Civil Beat

Nick Grube, ProPublica

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‘How do I have an ICE hold, when I'm Native American?’

Leticia Jacobo speaks out after family and community rally to prevent her deportation

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Stolen Children

Nearly forgotten: The Puyallup boy buried 2,700 miles from home

How discovering Edward Spot in a boarding school cemetery opened old family wounds — and ignited a mission to bring him home

By Frank Hopper

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Native community calls for return of MMIP report

Not One More report scrubbed from DOJ’s website shortly after President Trump took office

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Criminal Justice

South Dakota legislators to consider prison proposal

With crime rates dropping, a Native lawmaker is concerned over priorities

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Emergency Preparedness

Red Thread Network provides a template for what to do if a loved one goes missing

Tyler Rambeau provides emergency services guides

Tylr Rambeau tipi building

Healing Journey

Conference addresses gender-based violence in Native communities

Attendees join in solidarity to build path toward healing

Funding for tribal services threatened by ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

Carmen O’Leary fights to help Indigenous survivors of violence amid budget cuts

Carmen O’Leary

Tribal judge aims to Indigenize the bench

Megan Treuer’s plan to improve Native justice is being realized with help of Bush Fellowship

Megan Treuer