NATIVE AMERICAN

Appeals court rules against North Dakota tribes in voting rights case that could go to Supreme Court

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal appeals court won’t reconsider its decision in a redistricting case that went against two Native American tribes that challenged North Dakota’s legislative redistricting map, and the dispute could be headed for the U.S. Supreme Court. The case has drawn national interest because of a 2-1 ruling issued in May by a three-judge panel of the 8th…

Native Community Celebrates High School Graduation

The graduating seniors were honored with a special ceremony that incorporated aspects of indigenous culture.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Indigenous families and their support systems came together to celebrate their newest class of graduating high school seniors. The ceremony took place at Dakota High School on 9th Avenue South in Fargo. It kicked off with a prayer and communal meal in the school’s cafeteria – followed by diploma presentations accompanied by traditional Native song and…

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Officially Launches Campaign for U.S. Senate

Peggy Flanagan/FacebookST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has officially launched her campaign for U.S. Senate. Flanagan made the announcement on social media saying she is running to take Minnesota values to D.C. She also says a Native American woman has never won a seat in the U.S. Senate and she believes she can change that. Flanagan, a…

Belcourt Is Ready To Welcome Home Leonard Peltier After His Release From Florida Prison

BELCOURT, N.D. (KVRR) — Native American activist Leonard Peltier is out of prison after nearly 50 years and has just returned to North Dakota. Peltier arrived in Belcourt around 6 p.m. Tuesday to begin serving his home confinement after being given clemency under President Joe Biden. KVRR’s Alex Bertsch is there and filed this report. See his continuing coverage on…

North Dakota researchers digitize records from Native American boarding school

Prairie Rose Seminole works to digitize records of the Bismarck Indian School on Jan. 3, 2025, at the National Archives in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo provided by Dennis J. Neumann)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Researchers are digitizing historical records from a Native American boarding school in Bismarck, aiming to bring information closer to the communities affected by its existence….

Cremation ceremony claim ends in arrest and felony charges for Fergus Falls man

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KFGO Daily Journal) – A Fergus Falls man was arrested and faces multiple charges after a Nov. 4 fire call escalated on the 300 block of Cecil Avenue near Lake Alice. Allen Charles Sheppard, age 48, has been charged with felony obstructing the legal process, fourth-degree assault, fourth-degree assault involving a peace officer, criminal damage to property,…

New Documentary Features North Dakota Native American Professional Bull Rider Stetson Lawrence

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Stetson Lawrence ranked among the top 25 bull riders globally until a second major injury derailed his career. He was one of the few Native American professional riders. The life of the Chippewa Sioux rodeo star who grew up near Williston, North Dakota is featured in a new documentary called “Another Eight Seconds”. “I take it…

Spirt Lake And Menominee Tribes Sue Social Media Companies Over “Dangerous Features”

Two tribal nations are accusing social media companies of contributing to the disproportionately high rates of suicide among Native American youth. Their lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles county court names Facebook and Instagram’s parent company Meta Platforms; Snapchat’s Snap Inc.; TikTok parent company ByteDance; and Alphabet, which owns YouTube and Google, as defendants. Virtually all U.S. teenagers use social media,…

Judge rejects delay of ruling backing North Dakota tribes’ effort to change legislative boundaries

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a request to delay his decision supporting two Native American tribes that sought changes to North Dakota’s legislative boundaries to give the tribes more influence in the Legislature. U.S. District Chief Judge Peter Welte denied Republican Secretary of State Michael Howe’s motion to stay his ruling, pending an expected appeal to the…