News from the Northern Plains
Buffalo's Fire
Buffalo's Fire
Local News
Native Issues
Arts & Culture
About Us
Donate
Newsletter
Open menu
Buffalo's Fire
Search
Search
Donate
Buffalo's Fire Sections
Sovereignty
Tribal sovereignty, self-governance, and the legal and political relationships between Native nations and federal and state governments.
Register for the free Buffalo's Fire Newsletter.
Policy
Experts discuss tribal sovereignty’s role in the growing hemp and cannabis industry
Great Lakes summit addresses recent Minnesota appeals court ruling saying possession is civil matter and the state lacks authority to prosecute tribal members on tribal lands
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
Brian Bull
Farm bill
Proposed agriculture funding bill impacts more than 80,000 Native producers
63 provisions of the bill are relevant to tribes. ‘Economic stability and cultural responsibility’ at stake, says co-chair of Native Farm Bill Coalition
Gabrielle Nelson
Legal Dispute
MHA Nation appeals court upholds $250M withdrawal from People’s Fund
Ruling is a loss for transparency and justice, plaintiffs say
Erin Hoover Barnett
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
By Brian Bull
Farm bill
Proposed agriculture funding bill impacts more than 80,000 Native producers
63 provisions of the bill are relevant to tribes. ‘Economic stability and cultural responsibility’ at stake, says co-chair of Native Farm Bill Coalition
By Gabrielle Nelson
Legal Dispute
MHA Nation appeals court upholds $250M withdrawal from People’s Fund
Ruling is a loss for transparency and justice, plaintiffs say
By Erin Hoover Barnett
Action & Policy
Multiple tribal organizations join MHA Nation in honoring two members of Congress
Senator Lisa Murkowski received a Mandan name, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi presented with blanket
By Darren Thompson
Native Leadership
Native political organizer and activist running for South Dakota governor
Candidate Allison Renville stresses importance of restoring trust between tribes and the state
By Gabrielle Nelson
Civil Rights
Oglala Sioux Tribe demands release of tribal members in ICE custody
OST president warns federal officials of legal consequences for treaty violations, unlawful detention and deprivation of civil rights
By Darren Thompson
Historic Preservation
Legislation signed to protect Wounded Knee memorial site
South Dakota’s congressional delegation joins Wounded Knee descendants and supporters at site on 135th anniversary of the massacre
By Darren Thompson
Year in Review
Reporters’ Notebook: The year that was
Buffalo’s Fire reporters reflect on their biggest stories of 2025
By Buffalo's Fire
Treaty Rights
Oceti Sakowin Treaty Council calls for repeal of 1872 Mining Act, protection of He Sápa
Resolution adopted at the Dec 17 Oceti Sakowin Treaty Conference calls for permanent protection of He Sápa (Black Hills) and an end to mining claims
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
Sovereignty
What a Southern Arizona tribe can teach others about tribal water rights
The monumental Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement celebrates its 21st anniversary
By Gabrielle Nelson
Federal Recognition
Lumbee Tribe to receive federal recognition after 70 years of state distinction
National Defense Authorization Act passes Senate, affirms tribe’s federal services
By Darren Thompson
government relations
Oglala Sioux Tribe denounces Defense Department’s refusal to revoke soldiers’ Wounded Knee medals
President Frank Star Comes Out calls decision ‘despicable’
By Brian Bull
Fund Control
MHA citizens seek accountability in a suit against their Tribal Business Council
Appeals court to rule soon in a case first filed last year
By Erin Hoover Barnett
Movement Resilience
Despite major foundation cuts, NDN Collective vows to ‘double down’
Citing socio-political instability, social justice group reduces staff, programming
By Brian Bull
Sovereignty
MHA Nation decriminalizes medical marijuana
Will full legalization follow? Tribal members talk cannabis at alterNATIVE Medicine Symposium
By Gabrielle Nelson
Opinion
In ID we trust: Reflections on self-preservation in an age of deportations
With federal officials confronting brown people over U.S. citizenship, a Native reporter takes yet another precaution
By Brian Bull
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 IMFA team hit the ground to report on the priorities shaping Indian Country
By Teresa Trumbly Lamsam, Ph.D.
Federal Accountability
Native nations sue U.S. over use of tribal funds for boarding schools
Tribes demand full financial accounting after federal reports reveal funds used without consent or transparency
By Buffalo's Fire
Cultural revival
Yuhaaviatam reclaims its ancestral name
In a powerful step toward cultural revitalization, the San Manuel Tribe reclaims its ancestral name, Yuhaaviatam, honoring its deep connection to the land and heritage
By Buffalo's Fire
Tribal Energy
New bill could strengthen tribal energy independence
Legislation introduced by Senators Schatz and Curtis seeks to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles to increase energy opportunities for Native communities
By Buffalo's Fire
Treaty Obligations
For Indian Country, federal cuts decimate core tribal programs
Tribal services aren’t national altruism. They’re written into centuries-old treaties.
Alex Brown, North Dakota Monitor
Healing Journey
‘Sugarcane' directors receive Oscar nomination with documentary on boarding schools, hope and healing
Sexual assault at Catholic-run boarding school: ‘The ones telling us it was a sin, they were the ones that did all the action’
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
Tribal Opposition
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Push Back Against Lumbee Fairness Act
The House passed H.R. 1101, granting federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe, but the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and other tribal organizations are urging the Senate to block the bill, citing concerns over its impact on tribal sovereignty and recognition standards.
By Buffalo's Fire
Opinion
Tribal leaders hand illusionary sovereignty, tax collection to North Dakota state government
MHA Nation alcohol tax sharing agreement with the state likely unconstitutional
By Todd Hall and Todd Hall
Land policy
Cobell trust land consolidation comments due Nov 1 as tribal leaders meet in Cabazon
Indian Land Working Group symposium at Morongo Casino & Resort and a Senate Indian Affairs hearing highlight concerns over BIA consultations and fractionated trust land ownership
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
UN rights
Indigenous people assert human rights land standards in UN Declaration
Northern Ontario First Nation leaders cite “free, prior and informed consent” as Ontario considers Mining Act changes affecting Indigenous lands
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear