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Native Issues

Reporting on the issues that shape Native life — from tribal sovereignty and education to healthcare, housing and economic development.

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Report details wide disparity between Native American and white health in South Dakota

Examining the systemic barriers, mortality rates, and the proposed tribal-managed Medicaid solutions aimed at closing South Dakota's life expectancy gap

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight

On national day of awareness, MMIP crisis takes center stage

Tribal elder convicted of threatening federal employee receives probation

Auditor’s Office claws back $37.3M in wrongful billing targeting Montana’s Native communities

Keila Szpaller, Daily Montanan

On national day of awareness, MMIP crisis takes center stage

Theater campaign involves dozens of Native organizations

Tribal elder convicted of threatening federal employee receives probation

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe citizen Joseph Lafferty must agree to community service, other conditions

Auditor’s Office claws back $37.3M in wrongful billing targeting Montana’s Native communities

Fraudsters abused Obamacare provision intended to help Indian Country

Keila Szpaller, Daily Montanan

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

Sovereignty

Indian Country needs media pillar for a just society

By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Experts discuss tribal sovereignty’s role in the growing hemp and cannabis industry

By Darren Thompson

Proposed agriculture funding bill impacts more than 80,000 Native producers

By Gabrielle Nelson

MHA Nation appeals court upholds $250M withdrawal from People’s Fund

By Erin Hoover Barnett

Bheri Rose Hallam gives Senator Lisa Murkowski a Mandan name

Action & Policy

Multiple tribal organizations join MHA Nation in honoring two members of Congress

By Darren Thompson

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Oglala Sioux Tribe demands release of tribal members in ICE custody

By Darren Thompson

Other stories in Sovereignty

Education

Native administrators rail against Trump’s proposed elimination of funds for TCUs

Legislators plan to learn about Native American health care, emergency services, disability care

Makenzie Huber, South Dakota Searchlight

AIHEC conference honors TCU students with awards for art, sports, academics

By Gabrielle Nelson

‘Our future does not hinge on the limbs of federal decision making,’ keynote speaker tells AIHEC crowd

By Darren Thompson

Making cough syrup, building houses: Standing Rock students learn through community engagement

By Gabrielle Nelson

Other stories in Education

Land & Water

Black Hills uranium exploration permit hearing postponed to May

Meghan O'Brien, South Dakota Searchlight

Environmental stewardship

U.S. Forest Service and 11 tribes sign historic agreement to co-manage sacred area in South Dakota

South Dakota passes ‘Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens,’ fails to consult with tribes

By Darren Thompson

Drilling project moves forward in the heart of the Black Hills

By Gabrielle Nelson

The Battle of the Little Bighorn (Greasy Grass): Why it’s still being fought

By Pier Paolo Bozzano

Cultural Protection

Bill adding Indigenous languages and rights for wild rice introduced to Minnesota legislature

By Darren Thompson

Other stories in Land & Water

Oil & Gas

Greenpeace seeks new trial, claiming jury pool biased in case over Dakota Access Pipeline

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Other stories in Oil & Gas

Safety & Justice

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

Armed Federal Agents on Park Avenue in Minneapolis

Tribal Response

MMIP groups and tribal councils condemn violence by federal law enforcement

Brittney Rough Surface and grand daughter

Standing Rock man assaulted hours before death by train

Benson County Deputy Chief Travis Carlson

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

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

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

Mary Steurer, North Dakota Monitor

Other stories in Safety & Justice

Murdered & Missing Indigenous Peoples

LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit MMIP advocates push for inclusion

A year without answers: Renzo Bullhead’s family encourages those with information to come forward

Daughter’s concern for father grows after 11 months without contact

‘Beyond frustrating’: Family claims they weren't properly notified about 16-year-old’s disappearance

Samantha Houle

Granddaughter searches for missing grandfather nearly 50 years after disappearance

Native community holds MMIP prayer walk in Bismarck

Other stories in Murdered & Missing Indigenous Peoples

Health & Wellness

Brandy Toft

A Superfund site in Minnesota is spreading, disrupting a tribe’s way of life

By Gabrielle Nelson

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‘BlueJay’s Canoe’ tackles Native life during pandemic and wildfires

Other stories in Health & Wellness

Cultural Preservation

Language Access

South Dakota governor signs Helen’s Law, requiring language translations in official state proceedings

By Darren Thompson

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DOJ opinion sparks new debate about legal protections for peyote

By Darren Thompson

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Politics, History

Native officials denounce Trump’s Little Bighorn revisionism

Cultural Resilience

For Two Spirits and Native LGBTQ+ people enduring a second Trump administration, the powwow must go on

Buffalo Restoration

‘Gaining back our identity’: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe looks to expand buffalo herd

By Gabrielle Nelson

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Whale’s tragic demise brings two worlds together

Other stories in Cultural Preservation

Housing

Angela 5_hd

Standing Rock woman’s personal history inspires her to help others

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians celebrate grand opening of affordable housing development

Other stories in Housing

Economic Development

More than $21 million in federal money to support tribal highway and road projects

Minnesota’s first Indigenous-owned lab opens for business

By Darren Thompson

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Community Vision

North Dakota Native-led nonprofit eyes massive cultural center project in Bismarck

Peyton Haug, North Dakota Monitor

Other stories in Economic Development

Politics

Federal Politics

Trump dumps Noem, taps Mullin to be next DHS Secretary

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Native Leadership

Native political organizer and activist running for South Dakota governor

By Gabrielle Nelson

Indigenous voices speak loudly at Bismarck ‘No Kings’ rally

By Gabrielle Nelson

Steve Sitting Bear

Tribal leadership

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe swears in new leaders

By Gabrielle Nelson

Other stories in Politics