Buffalo's Fire Sections

Safety &Justice

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

Reporters’ Notebook: The year that was

Buffalo’s Fire reporters reflect on their biggest stories of 2025
By Buffalo's Fire
Regulation
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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Justice
‘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
By Brian Bull
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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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ShineThe Shine series explores limitations and solutions to government transparency in Indian Country.
Justice Denied
Native community calls for return of MMIP report
Not One More report scrubbed from DOJ’s website shortly after President Trump took office
By Jolan Kruse
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Criminal Justice
South Dakota legislators to consider prison proposal
With crime rates dropping, a Native lawmaker is concerned over priorities
By Brian Bull
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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
By Jolan Kruse
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Healing Journey
Conference addresses gender-based violence in Native communities
Attendees join in solidarity to build path toward healing
By Jolan Kruse
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Budget Battle
Funding for tribal services threatened by ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Carmen O’Leary fights to help Indigenous survivors of violence amid budget cuts
By Jolan Kruse
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Rising Voices
Tribal judge aims to Indigenize the bench
Megan Treuer’s plan to improve Native justice is being realized with help of Bush Fellowship
By Brian Bull
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NCAI
Inside the NCAI Mid Year Conference: What we saw, heard and ran to cover
From early-morning strategy sessions to last-minute resolution edits, the Buffalo’s Fire and NMFA team hit the ground to report on the priorities shaping Indian Country
By Teresa Trumbly Lamsam, Ph.D.
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Transit access
Largest tribal transit station in Minnesota under construction on White Earth Reservation
Tribal leaders break ground on long-awaited transit facility aimed at safer, more connected communities
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
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MMIP
Cole Brings Plenty's last breath here marks his first breath in Spirit World, funeral unites community
Family and community set for investigation and attention towards Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear and Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
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Advocacy
Leonard Peltier Freedom Riders Reach White House After 1,500 Mile Spirit Ride
Beginning from the site of the 1862 execution of the Dakota 38, the riders brought sacred power to the capital to demand freedom
Frank Hopper, ICT
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Justice
White Earth Nation seeks federal criminal jurisdiction
A request to DOJ could reshape who prosecutes major crimes.
By Buffalo's Fire