RESERVATION Archives - KVRR Local News

White Earth Nation Hosts Official Grand Opening of Waabigwan Mashkiki

The dispensary has technically been open for about three months, but White Earth wanted to specially mark the occasion with festivities.

August 28, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

MOORHEAD, MN (KVRR) – While it has technically been open for about three months, patrons and ownership alike were still excited to hold a grand opening ceremony for White Earth’s marijuana dispensary in Moorhead. It is the tribe’s first location outside the reservation; in the old JL Beers building along Highway 10. White Earth Reservation Business Committee members were in…

North Dakota tribe buys idle oil pipeline from Enbridge

June 11, 2023

KVRR Staff,

NEW TOWN, N.D. (AP) — A Native American tribe in North Dakota bought an idle pipeline from the energy company Enbridge to help deliver oil from wells on its reservation to the broader market. The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation announced the deal Friday but didn’t disclose how much it paid. The tribe said it expects the pipeline, which will…

N.D. U.S. Attorney’s Officer Getting 5 More Prosecutors, 3 For State’s Reservations

May 10, 2023

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office is getting five additional prosecutors, with three dedicated to public safety needs on the state’s reservations. One of the other two prosecutors will focus on violent crime in Cass County and the surrounding areas and one will spearhead e-Litigation efforts. “For decades, the hallmark of the United States Attorney’s Office in…

Red Lake man convicted of aggravated sexual abuse

September 6, 2022

Site Staff,

MINNESOTA (KVRR) – A Red Lake man is found guilty of sex crimes in federal court. Thirty-eight-year-old Descart Austin Begay, Junior is convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse. Begay raped and sexually assaulted a victim in her home until she was able to break free and escape. Categories: Crime, Local News, Minnesota…

Red Lake Police make major Fentanyl bust

They found over 1/2 pound of Fentanyl and nearly two ounces of Methamphetamine along with $2,413.00 in cash.

December 30, 2021

Site Staff,

RED LAKE, MN (KVRR) – The Red Lake Police Department Narcotics Unit, with assistance, made a large Fentanyl bust on Wednesday. With assistance by Patrol, Conservation and Investigation units they served a search warrant in the West End area of Red lake. They found over 1/2 pound of Fentanyl and nearly two ounces of Methamphetamine along with $2,413.00 in cash….

White Earth Nation Creates Tribal Gaming Commission

May 17, 2019

Site Staff,

WHITE EARTH NATION – The White Earth Reservation Business Committee unanimously approves a new gaming ordinance. It makes the Tribal Gaming Commission separate from tribal government. The group’s goal is to regulate licensed gaming operations within the tribe. The commission will have five members appointed by the Tribal Council. White Earth Secretary Treasurer Alan Roy says it will provide a…

UPDATE: Red Lake Man’s Death Ruled a Homicide

May 1, 2019

Site Staff,

Dillon SayersRED LAKE, MINN. – Red Lake Police say they’re looking for suspects in the homicide of 26-year-old Dillon Sayers. “People directly responsible for Sayers’ death and any others who may have assisted and/or concealed information will be considered equally responsible and charged accordingly,” the Red Lake Department of Public Safety said in a press release. Sayers was last seen…

Suspects Plead Guilty in Carla Yellowbird Murder

2016 Robbery Turned Murder on Spirit Lake Reservation

November 9, 2018

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SPIRIT LAKE RESERVATION — Suspects in the murder of 27-year-old Carla Yellowbird plead guilty to murder and robbery charges. 21-year-old Daylin St. Pierre pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and Felony Murder. 24-year-old Dakota Charboneau pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder. In 2016, Yellowbird went to Spirit Lake to sell drugs. After being driven to a remote location on…

Another Tribal Effort To Stop New Voter ID Law Is Rejected

Tribal leaders argue that street addresses are not always assigned on reservations

November 1, 2018

TJ Nelson,

Mark Ruffalo & Billy Ray Cyrus in Belcourt, North DakotaBISMARCK, N.D. — A U.S. District Court judge has denied a motion for a temporary restraining order of North Dakota’s new voter ID law. Attorneys representing the Spirit Lake Tribe and six individual plaintiffs had requested the motion. They are suing the state over the election law which states a voter must…

Non-Tribal Cabin Owners Forced from Leech Lake Properties

Leaders want to reclaim the land to address the reservation's homelessness problem

October 12, 2017

TJ Nelson,

LEECH LAKE, Minn, — Some cabin owners are being forced from Leech Lake in northern Minnesota. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has decided not to renew nearly 350 waterfront lot leases, meaning non-tribal cabin owners will have to vacate their cabins. Leaders want to reclaim the land to address the reservation’s homelessness problem. Nearly 75 cabin owners will have…