Buffalo's Fire Sections

Cultural Preservation

Efforts to preserve and revitalize Native languages, arts, traditions and cultural practices.
Amanda R.J. Cheromiah, the executive director of the Jim Thorpe Center for the Future of Native Peoples at Dickinson College
Montana

‘Where they belong’: Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes bring home the remains of three members

The emotional repatriation of Christine Redstone, Peter Howe and Richard Morgan marked the end of a 136-year separation.
Lauren Miller & JoVonne Wagner, Montana Free Press
Sing for the Red Dress
Murder mysteries and Indigenous knowledge: The legacy of Sicangu Oglala Lakota author Joseph M. Marshall III
In the last installment of the Smokey River Suspense series, recently deceased author, historian and cultural bearer Joseph M. Marshall III tackled his most challenging mystery: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Chana Kaplan, Buffalo's Fire
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Analysis
Reflecting on the cycle of life: Family photos transport mourners to a bygone era
Spotted Bear matriarch begins journey to the earth lodge villages
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
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Fishing
The Klamath Tribes couldn’t get federal dollars for salmon. Then the Yurok stepped in
For more than 100 years, salmon had been absent from the Klamath Tribes’ lands — a fact that cut them off from funding sources to fix that.
B. 'Toastie' Oaster, High Country News
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ShineThe Shine series explores limitations and solutions to government transparency in Indian Country.
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Bringing Little Bighorn to life 
The Real Bird family has hosted the Battle of Greasy Grass for the past 35 years 
By Maria Hawkins
Real Bird Reenactment on June 27, 2026
Conservation contradiction
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library: The irony of this celebration 'could not be sharper’
Roosevelt promoted conservation — something the Trump administration is actively working against, organizations say
By Grace Hansen
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Environment
Black Hills uranium exploration permit hearing postponed to May
Drilling project’s opponents have raised concerns about Native American petroglyphs in Craven Canyon
Meghan O'Brien, South Dakota Searchlight
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Language Access
South Dakota governor signs Helen’s Law, requiring language translations in official state proceedings
Law named after fluent Lakota speaker Helen Red Feather
By Darren Thompson
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Environment
A Superfund site in Minnesota is spreading, disrupting a tribe’s way of life
Little progress has been made despite 40 years of cleanup on Leech Lake Reservation
By Gabrielle Nelson
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Task Force
DOJ opinion sparks new debate about legal protections for peyote
Native advocates stand ready to protect decades of religious freedom victories
By Darren Thompson
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Politics, History
Native officials denounce Trump’s Little Bighorn revisionism
The historic battlefield has been directed to remove signage sharing Native perspective on Custer’s Last Stand
By Brian Bull
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Cultural Resilience
For Two Spirits and Native LGBTQ+ people enduring a second Trump administration, the powwow must go on
Events and outreach continue as White House directives roll back rights and recognition
By Brian Bull
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Buffalo Restoration
‘Gaining back our identity’: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe looks to expand buffalo herd
Bigger herd would support tribe’s economy, land and culture, says herd manager
By Gabrielle Nelson
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Human interest
Whale’s tragic demise brings two worlds together
On a wind-swept Oregon beach, Native culture and science share space
By Brian Bull
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Heritage
Crow tribe considers enrollment reset
To combat "death by numbers," Chairman Frank Whiteclay moves to classify all 14,289 current members as full-blooded, so future generations aren't erased by colonial math
James Giago Davies, Native Sun News Today
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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
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Traditional foods
Why you should Indigenize your holiday meals — and recipes to help you do it
Chef Nephi and UTTC students celebrate food as medicine
By Gabrielle Nelson
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Heritage
Beyond the red suit: How Native Santas are reclaiming holiday representation
By blending tribal regalia with holiday tradition, Indigenous veterans in Oregon are creating a safe, inclusive space where children see themselves in the magic of Christmas.
By Brian Bull
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Sesquicentennial
Tribes plan to ‘rock’ the Little Bighorn Battlefield during 150th commemoration
Thousands of Natives expected to camp, bring horses, tell stories about Custer’s defeat
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
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Cultural Revival
MHA Nation filmmaker wins award for short documentary
The film tells the story of white buffalo calves on the Turtle Mountain Reservation
By Gabrielle Nelson
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