Lakota tribes, grassroots organizers unite against ‘modern gold rush’ in Black Hills

By Talli Nauman

What happens when tribes -- standing up for Fort Laramie Treaty Rights -- grassroots organizers, the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance and other individuals work together to protect water from mining operations in the Black Hills? Read enterprise story by Talli Nauman, a veteran environmental reporter born and raised in the Black Hills.



SEJ credits its foundation partners and other donors for supporting this project.

Young mother hopes to serve community as an educator, return to Fort Berthold after education

By Adrianna Adame

In the morning, Aulora Severance awakens her 3-year-old son, Jakobi Uses Arrow, to take him to daycare. Usually, he moves with ease, but other times he’s crabby from being awakened so early. After dropping him off, she heads to one of her elementary education classes at United Tribes Technical College.

Twenty-five-year-old Severance, known for her dedication to student learning, was chosen as one of UTTC’s Students of the Month for November. 

Omaka Tokatakiya-Future Generations Ride

By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

On Thursday, Dec, 29, the Oomaka Toatakiya, Future Generation Riders, rode into the town center of Pine Ridge, S.D. The weather was a mild 41 degrees considering it could have been a lot colder for the end of December. In 1890, the temperatures froze the massacred bodies of Hunkpapa and Miniconjou Lakota. They were gunned down with bullets and canons at the hands of some 500 merciless Seventh Cavalry soldiers. The Dakota and Lakota had been seeking refuge with Oglala allies on the Pine Ridge Reservation when the cavalry forced them into a camp Dec. 28 and opened fire on them the next day.

Buffalo’s Fire application opens for an environmental reporter, site selected as newsroom host of Report for America

By Sam Kille

Buffalo’s Fire, located in Bismarck, N.D. was selected as one of the newsrooms. The digital news site has a job opening for an environmental reporter to cover the Missouri River Basin and tribes along the river. See the full list of new newsrooms and beats here.

Report for America has announced the selection of dozens of new host newsroom partners while opening applications for just over 50 new reporting corps positions across the United States.

Share local news. Share the Buffalo's Fire newsletter.

Our team at Buffalo's Fire continues to grow as we fulfill our mission to remain an independent news organization that reflects the voice of our community. We have never accepted any money from a tribal government and we are asking our subscribers to consider supporting our work which has been largely driven by grants from foundations. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit media organization. One of our goals is to strengthen tribal sovereignty through an informed citizenry.

You can help Buffalo's Fire reach its fundraising goal of $10,000 by donating today. Your one-time or recurring donation will help us continue to bring the latest headlines to your desktop, mobile device, or tablet - every day! Click the button below to visit our donation page and make your pledge. Buffalo's Fire and IMFA thank you for your continued support!

"Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it."

— John Hersey