Buffalo's Fire Sections

Education

K-12 schools, tribal colleges, language revitalization and the push for educational equity in Native communities.
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Higher Ed

‘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
Darren Thompson
Youth Action
Making cough syrup, building houses: Standing Rock students learn through community engagement
'Native teachings continue to live on' in project-based school born out of #NoDAPL movement
By Gabrielle Nelson
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Leadership
White Earth tribal administrator gets boost from Bush Fellowship
Curtis Rogers sets his sights on law school
By Brian Bull
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Campus Culture
UTTC food sovereignty coordinator restores campus medicine wheel
Students use space to relax and connect to Native culture
By Gabrielle Nelson
Sonia Ciaverelli
Education
North Dakota tribes Indigenize latest school textbooks
New law requires schools to teach Native American history
By Brian Bull
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Education
Couple with Bismarck roots seeds endowment for UTTC students with $100,000 donation
Terrence and Patricia Leier are ‘giving back for the sacrifice that the Natives made’
By Erin Hoover Barnett
Terry and Patty Leier
Leadership Growth
Educator John Little advocates for more Natives in higher ed
Bush Fellow eager to draw more young adults to college
By Brian Bull
John Little
Education
High school students learn engineering at ASPIRE summer camps
Youth take on coding and circuit boards at United Tribes Technical College
By Gabrielle Nelson
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Rising Voices
Five Natives named Bush Fellows
Bolstering cultural outreach and personal development among honorees’ top goals
By Brian Bull
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Education
Trump wants to cut tribal college funding by nearly 90%, putting them at risk of closing
ProPublica found that Congress was underfunding tribal colleges by a quarter-billion dollars per year. Rather than fixing the problem, proposed federal funding cuts unveiled this week would devastate the schools, tribal education leaders say
Matt Krupnick, ProPublica
The campus of Blackfeet Community College in Browning, Mont.
Cultural Innovation
Inside the 13 Moons curriculum: How the Swinomish Tribe keeps traditions alive while teaching STEAM and helping to reduce chemical exposures
Other tribes can adapt the curriculum to their own communities
By Wendee Nicole
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Final Gathering
Bismarck Public Schools’ Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee holds final meeting of school year
Members discuss strategic plan, federal funding
By Alix Dobler
Generational Healing
East Coast boarding school survivors invited to share their experiences
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition aims to preserve their stories for future generations
By Buffalo's Fire
Funding Cuts
Humanities North Dakota gets a lifeline, but at a fraction of its former funding
Classes will continue, including a popular one on the Mandan, Hidatsa nations
By Brian Bull
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Education Advancement
Empowering Native futures: Native Forward celebrates 55 years of impact
The largest Native scholarship provider marks its anniversary with a gala honoring Indigenous scholars, alumni and advocates who have shaped higher education in Indian Country.
By Buffalo's Fire
Funding Changes
Mandaree School District faces changes to federal funding policy
The March meeting gathered input on how proposed changes to federal education funding may affect BIE students and their cultural ties to school programs.
By Buffalo's Fire
Education Drive
United Tribes Technical College launches video series to recruit Native educators
The initiative is supported by the American Indian College Fund
By Buffalo's Fire
Education
Free school meals bill fails in the North Dakota House
Jeff Beach, North Dakota Monitor
ND Legislature Considers Free School Meals Bill.
Shaping Futures
Assistant Education Secretary nominee, Kirsten Baesler aims to help students become 'future-ready'
State specialist in American Indian scholastic achievement: "She is a great leader and will be missed"
By Adrianna Adame
Kirsten Baesler
Education Threatened
'Losing our voice, losing our space’
The Trump administration’s sweeping orders could force some tribal colleges and universities to shut down, school leaders said
Jourdan Bennett-Begaye and Kalle Benallie, ICT
Lorraine Gouge - TCU rep
Food Security
Hearing set Monday on bill that would provide free school meals for North Dakota students
Erin Hemme Froslie, North Dakota Monitor
ND Legislature Considers Free School Meals Bill.
Indigenous Education
Native students, national lab engineers collaborate in ASPIRE Summer Academy’s paid internships
‘It’s about creating solutions to the world’s problems’
By Adrianna Adame
ASPIRE Summer Academy –– 1
Indigenous Education
Tribes take content lead in updated Tribal curriculum guides for North Dakota schools, debut around corner
The Department of Public Instruction extends revision deadline for guidebooks to ensure accurate, up-to-date content
By Adrianna Adame
Curriculum Guides CROPPED
Native Narratives
The radical act of sharing Native literature
NDN Girls Books Club is more than a big pink truck full of free books.
Heather Hansman, High Country News
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Professional Growth
From the classroom to campus leadership: Brett Williamson named UTTC dean of instruction
Marine-turned-journalist-turned-instructor brings diverse experience to new role
By Adrianna Adame
Brett in office
Tribal College Movement
‘Honoring Our Past’: North Dakota Tribal College System celebrates 30 years of empowering Indigenous education
North Dakota tribal colleges transform from ‘no money at all' to economic force
By Adrianna Adame
30th Anniversary – 1
Education
Data-driven insights: understanding disparities in dropout, graduation rates across North Dakota
DPI report reveals persistent gaps in graduation rates between American Indian and white students in 2023-2024 academic year
By Adrianna Adame
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Indigenous Governance Model Gains Momentum with New Bylaw Amendments
By Adrianna Adame
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‘We have persevered’: Biden will apologize for Native American boarding school history
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Education
Indigenous parents reclaim traditional governance in Bismarck schools
Advisory committee embraces peacemaking model, aiming to boost family engagement and honor cultural practices
By Adrianna Adame and Adrianna Adame
Billi Jo Beheler and Valerie Siqueiros
Education
Watchdog group decries FAFSA snafus, demands stronger leadership
A governmental watchdog group chastised the current administration and education department for poorly serving vast swaths of students
Renata Birkenbuel, ICT
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From stay-at-home mom to student leader: A grandmother's return to education
Meet the new president of the Student Government Association at United Tribes Technical College
By Adrianna Adame and Adrianna Adame
Geneva Kazena Profile
Ojibwe language books headed to classrooms
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United Tribes Technical College receives $1.2 million grant to fund special education scholarships
By Adrianna Adame
Elementary education students
Indigenous communities unite for change at 27th Annual Tribal Leadership Summit
By Adrianna Adame
Jamie Azure speaking
Ranger honors MHA heritage, gives a voice to Indigenous history at National Historic Sites
By Adrianna Adame
Loren Standing
United Tribes Technical College kicks off the new academic year with community and celebration
By Adrianna Adame
aditorium
Do secretive school choice meetings break North Dakota’s open meetings law? We asked the AG.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler and Sen. Michelle Axtman
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site to mark 50 years with cultural celebration
Event to include MHA storytelling, music and traditions
By Adrianna Adame and Adrianna Adame
50th Aniver Flyer
Back-to-School extravaganza to empower Indigenous students and families
By Adrianna Adame
Eagle Statue
UTTC introduces first net-zero greenhouse at a tribal college
By Grace Fiori
inside greenhouse
Indigenous education director seeks to build relationships with parents, emphasizes mental health
By Adrianna Adame
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Recent grad sees a gap in educational quality for tribal students
Shayla Davis
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction gives tribal curriculum guides a digital overhaul
By Adrianna Adame
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Celebrating a Decade: Indian Education Summit hosts 36 workshops to empower Native educators
By Adrianna Adame
2023 ND Indian Ed Summit Boy standing
Michelle Goose: Healing intergenerational trauma through language
By Adrianna Adame
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Educational support goes a long way with Native students
Oceti Sakowin Community Academy classroom
Bismarck Public Schools opens discussion about curriculum with Indigenous parents, asks for input
By Adrianna Adame
Josh Standing Elk speaking
The Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee reinstates former chairperson, proceeds with removal of term limits
By Adrianna Adame
Tomi and Billi Jo together
Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee members vote to amend local bylaws
By Adrianna Adame
Tomi Cimarosti at the table
Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee off to a bumpy restart
By Adrianna Adame
Wind Spirit
Survey says nearly two-thirds of South Dakota educators use Indigenous standards
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Tomi Cimarosti takes helm as BPS Indigenous Education Director, continuing legacy of advocacy
By Adrianna Adame
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From Bismarck Public Schools to state leadership: Sashay Schettler’s new role
By Adrianna Adame
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Reviving Roots: Dakota-Lakota Summer Institute grows number of traditional language speakers
By Adrianna Adame
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Native lawmakers seek accountability after racial misconduct at school events
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United Tribes student body president, aka Mr. AIHEC, set to graduate after overcoming life adversities
By Adrianna Adame
Tanner Veo with the other members of the SGA Executive Committee
Author to visit Bismarck for conversation on newly released book “The Cost of Free Land”
By Adrianna Adame
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Baesler says NDGOP doesn’t reflect voters’ views on education
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Standing Rock author writes about path to heal from generational trauma in A Council of Dolls
By Adrianna Adame
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Indigenous scholars spearhead movement for truth and equity in education
By Adrianna Adame
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The land-grant legacy
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Beyond acknowledgments, land grant universities make up some impressive ground
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Bismarck Public Schools makes amends with IPAC, agrees to Memorandum of Understanding
By Adrianna Adame
IPAC agreement
Indian Child Welfare Act faces another constitutional challenge
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Native Children’s Commission report urges President Biden and Congress to prioritize Indigenous youth support
By Adrianna Adame
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Heather Demaray elected as Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee chairperson, new officers picked by majority vote
By Adrianna Adame
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Land, wealth and higher education
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Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee to hold election on Wednesday, encourages participation from Indigenous families
By Adrianna Adame
Picture of officers from last IPAC meeting
State Superintendent Student Cabinet positions open
By Adrianna Adame
Shayla speaking
Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee meets again after year-long shutdown by Bismarck Public Schools
By Adrianna Adame
Superintendent Fastnaught addressing the room
INSTEM Academy expands to include all North Dakota Native students
By Adrianna Adame
INSTEM #2
State School Superintendent celebrates new educator development programs, plans to address teacher retention rate
By Adrianna Adame
Chris in front of students
New program seeks to boost Native student success in languages
Ramey Growing Thunder
New children’s book shares knowledge, history of the jingle dress dance
By Adrianna Adame
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Mandan High School teacher finds middle ground, expands curriculum for Native Studies instruction
By Adrianna Adame
Robert in front of the board
St. John Elementary and Middle School recognized as Category One Distinguished Schools
By Adrianna Adame
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Lakota teacher wins national education award
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Department of Public Instruction to release updated tribal curriculum guides by fall 2024
By Adrianna Adame
Lucy and Nick
Young mother hopes to come back home to Fort Berthold to serve community as an educator
By Adrianna Adame
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SB 2304: North Dakota educators ask for more resources, American Indian studies to be incorporated into year-round curriculum
By Adrianna Adame
Josh Standing Elk
University opens sexual assault prevention program on Pine Ridge
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Legacy of the Andes: Transmedia project opens window on ancient cultures’ responses in times of crisis
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From detention camp to campus: North Dakota tribal college memorializes Japanese Americans’ WWII trauma
By Adrianna Adame
Courtyard
From pain to politicking
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Spirit Lake rapper amplifies voices of Native youth
By Adrianna Adame
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Reconnection and reconciliation, seeking a way back
Andres "Dre" Thornock
New Indigenous curriculum and instruction specialist seeks to bring representation to Bismarck Public School system
By Adrianna Adame
Josh Standing Elk #1 (1)
Fancy shawl instructor encourages Bismarck students to let powwow dancing be an ‘interpretation of life’
By Adrianna Adame
Spotted Bear teaching
Born of history
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BPS invites YA author to speak to students about importance of self-acceptance
By Adrianna Adame
Dawn Quigley and Students
StrongHearts Honors Native American Heritage Month
Ancester Tipi
A school where students can be ‘unapologetically Indigenous’
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Federal officials open investigation into allegations of discrimination at Montana State
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Mandan Middle School celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day with special performance
By Adrianna Adame
Mandan Middle School
Tribal-driven energy grant invites communities to choose
Red Lake Middle School
Blackfeet man named Montana Teacher of the Year
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Handful of states keep universal free student meals
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Tribal Leadership Summit inspires, offers student opportunities
By Adrianna Adame
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Tribe bans educators over child abuse allegations
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