Word of the Day | Buffalo’s Fire A daily word puzzle featuring Native American vocabulary. Guess the 5-letter word in 6 tries.

🦅 Introducing: Buffalo’s Fire Word-of-the-Day

We’ve launched a new daily challenge. Every word is rooted in Native history, geography, or language.

Today’s launch word is tied to the Ojibwe / Anishinaabe tradition.

DOJ opinion sparks new debate about legal protections for peyote - Buffalo’s Fire Native advocates stand ready to protect decades of religious freedom victories

In DC, the NCAI Peyote Task Force reviewed a Dec 2025 DOJ opinion citing the peyote exemption in a debate over race-based programs. The Native American Church remains the only US religion with its own federal statute for traditional use. #NCAI #NativeHistory 🪶

Meet Darren Thompson: Buffalo’s Fire’s new staff reporter - Buffalo’s Fire Thompson brings depth, context and nuance to his reporting on Indian Country

Welcome Darren Thompson, Buffalo’s Fire’s new staff reporter.
He brings deep experience covering Indian Country, from Standing Rock to tribal governance. Read more-
www.buffalosfire.com/meet-darren-...
#BuffalosFire #IndigenousJournalism

Native community holds MMIP prayer walk in Bismarck - Buffalo’s Fire Attendees gather on Valentine’s Day to remember loved ones, call for justice

On Valentine’s Day, dozens gathered in red at Keelboat Park in Bismarck to honor missing and murdered loved ones and call for justice during an MMIP prayer walk.
Read more: www.buffalosfire.com/native-commu...
#BuffalosFire #MMIP #Bismarck #NorthDakota

No body, no crime? How prosecutors prove murder when a victim is missing - Buffalo’s Fire While proving a homicide without remains can be a challenge, conviction rates are high

Can someone be convicted of murder without a body? As a Fargo trial approaches, Buffalo’s Fire breaks down how “no-body” homicide cases are prosecuted, what evidence matters and why conviction rates are high.
Read the full story: www.buffalosfire.com/no-body-no-c...
#BuffalosFire #MMIP #ND

Native officials denounce Trump’s Little Bighorn revisionism - Buffalo’s Fire The historic battlefield has been directed to remove signage sharing Native perspective on Custer’s Last Stand

As the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn nears, Native leaders warn against efforts to rewrite the site’s history. Native perspectives belong at the center — not erased.
#NativeHistory #IndianCountry #PublicLands
www.buffalosfire.com/native-offic...

For Two Spirits and Native LGBTQ+ people enduring a second Trump administration, the powwow must go on - Buffalo’s Fire Events and outreach continue as White House directives roll back rights and recognition

For Two Spirit and Native LGBTQ+ communities, the powwow must go on.
Even as federal policies roll back protections, organizers are continuing events, building safety plans and holding space for joy and culture.
🔗 Read the full story-
www.buffalosfire.com/for-two-spir...

‘Gaining back our identity’: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe looks to expand buffalo herd - Buffalo’s Fire Bigger herd would support tribe’s economy, land and culture, says herd manager

🦬 “Buffalo are assets of the tribe.”
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe wants to expand its buffalo herd to strengthen culture, restore grasslands, and support food security.
Read the story: www.buffalosfire.com/v-gaining-ba...
#StandingRock #FoodSovereignty #IndigenousNews #BuffalosFire

Cadavers help MMIP search volunteers prepare for the worst - Buffalo’s Fire A trip to an anatomy lab teaches searchers to distinguish between human and animal remains. It also aims to lessen the shock of potentially gruesome discoveries

MMIP search volunteers are heading into the anatomy lab to prepare for the field.

By studying cadavers, volunteers are learning to distinguish human remains from animals and steeling themselves for the reality of recovery work.

Full story: www.buffalosfire.com/cadavers-hel...

#MMIP #NativeNews

Proposed gas pipeline in North Dakota could help reduce Bakken flaring - Buffalo’s Fire MHA Nation and Standing Rock say they will monitor pipeline progress for water and environment impact

Thousands of oil wells operate on the Fort Berthold Reservation, producing nearly 154,000 barrels of oil per day. Gas flaring — those flames seen near pumpjacks — is cheaper than capturing gas but harms health and the climate.
Read more: www.buffalosfire.com/proposed-gas...

MMIP groups and tribal councils condemn violence by federal law enforcement - Buffalo’s Fire North and South Dakota tribes issue joint statement

Northern Plains tribes are condemning federal immigration enforcement after the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and the arrest of a Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate member.
www.buffalosfire.com/mmip-groups-...

Goodbye, cabin fever: Bismarck winter powwow promotes healing - Buffalo’s Fire Over 200 dancers participated in the 3rd annual Winter Jam Powwow

The cold didn’t stop the crowd at Bismarck’s third annual Winter Jam Powwow on Jan. 24. Nearly 200 dancers, drum groups and Native vendors filled the Event Center for a day of competition, healing and community. “Good energy,” one longtime dancer said. www.buffalosfire.com/goodbye-cabi...

Standing Rock man assaulted hours before death by train - Buffalo’s Fire Hoksila Running Bear was struck by a train following months of threats. His mother seeks answers

Hoksila Running Bear was last seen on camera walking home in Mandan, N.D., on Oct. 25. He never arrived. Hours later, police reported a man hit by a BNSF train. His mother later confirmed it was her son.
Read more: www.buffalosfire.com/standing-roc...

Plea agreement could scrub murder charge in North Dakota MMIP case - Buffalo’s Fire Derick Wilkinson is charged with second degree murder for the 2024 death of Alexia De La Cerda

More than a year after a security camera captured Derick Wilkinson allegedly killing his girlfriend in White Shield, ND, a plea deal could erase his murder charge.
Read more: www.buffalosfire.com/plea-agreeme...

Oglala Sioux Tribe demands release of tribal members in ICE custody - Buffalo’s Fire OST president warns federal officials of legal consequences for treaty violations, unlawful detention and deprivation of civil rights

Minnesota Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan told our reporter ICE is racially profiling Native Americans and needs to get out of Minneapolis. She calls the detention of four Oglala Sioux Tribe members "outrageous and unacceptable." @buffalosfire.bsky.social

Oglala Sioux Tribe demands release of tribal members in ICE custody - Buffalo’s Fire OST president warns federal officials of legal consequences for treaty violations, unlawful detention and deprivation of civil rights

Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out sent federal officials a letter demanding the release of four OST members detained by ICE during recent Minnesota raids, calling the detentions unlawful.
Read more: www.buffalosfire.com/oglala-sioux...

Chief deputy charged with unlawful arrests of Spirit Lake citizens to make court appearance Jan. 16 - Buffalo’s Fire Travis Carlson was arrested in July following an investigation into the Benson County Sheriff’s Office

The former Benson County Sheriff’s chief deputy charged in unlawful arrests of Spirit Lake citizens will appear in court Jan. 16 for a felony dispositional conference. Travis Carlson was arrested in July after two misconduct investigations.
Read more: www.buffalosfire.com/chief-deputy...

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe distances itself from former chair’s endorsement of Kristi Noem - Buffalo’s Fire Following recent immigration actions by ICE, Chairman Sitting Bear emphasizes Janet Alkire’s support for former South Dakota governor was solely her own

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe says any past support for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem came from a former chair — not the tribal council. Chairman Steve Sitting Bear said no resolution or official action endorsed her nomination.
www.buffalosfire.com/standing-roc...

Minneapolis Native community gathers in prayer after intense week of ICE activity - Buffalo’s Fire NDN Collective founder calls for tribal nations to work with city and state partners to ban ICE

Hundreds gathered Sunday at Minneapolis’ Pow Wow Grounds to pray after a week of unrest tied to ICE activity. Chief Arvol Looking Horse led prayers for the community and the family of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by ICE on Jan. 7.
Read more: www.buffalosfire.com/minneapolis-...

FBI investigating two weekend murders on North Dakota reservations - Buffalo’s Fire Suspects apprehended in both cases

The FBI is investigating two weekend murders on the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain reservations. A suspect is in custody in the Jan. 11 killing of Jesse Clark Davis, and another faces a felony murder charge in a Jan. 10 killing at the Sky Dancer Casino. www.buffalosfire.com/fbi-investig...

Minneapolis Indigenous community organizes around ICE activity - Buffalo’s Fire ‘We are under attack right now from our federal government’

Indigenous leaders in Minneapolis held a press conference after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good, an unarmed 37-year-old mother of three. Leaders say increased ICE activity is making Native communities unsafe. www.buffalosfire.com/minneapolis-...

Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2026 begins her reign as traveling ambassador - Buffalo’s Fire Jaylynn Hicks is first Native to hold the title in more than 70 years

“I can wait just a few years to be Miss Rodeo North Dakota.”
After three attempts, Jaylynn Hicks earns the title and makes history as the first Native titleholder in over 70 years.
www.buffalosfire.com/miss-rodeo-n...

More than 100 people gathered at Wounded Knee on Dec. 29 to mark the 135th anniversary of the massacre and celebrate new federal protections for the memorial site.
Read more: www.buffalosfire.com/legislation-...

A humpback whale ensnared in crab pot line washed ashore near Yachats during the Siletz Tribe’s restoration celebration. Tribal council member Robert Kentta witnessed its final struggle.
🔗 buffalosfire.com/whales-tragic-demise-brings-two-worlds-together/

A year of upheaval and political friction. Buffalo’s Fire reporters reflect on the stories that defined 2025 — from federal immigration enforcement to grassroots fights for justice.
Read more: www.buffalosfire.com/reporters-no...

Reporters’ Notebook: The year that was - Buffalo’s Fire Buffalo’s Fire reporters reflect on their biggest stories of 2025

Buffalo's Fire reporters reflect on the year that was
www.buffalosfire.com/reporters-no... #2025

Runaway children in the Dakotas account for majority of missing Indigenous persons reports - Buffalo’s Fire In September, at least 73 Native people were reported missing in North and South Dakota — 65 are children

Runaway kids in the Dakotas are a big part of missing Indigenous cases. #MMIP

A Portland MMIP organization relies on volunteers for outreach, events and search efforts. Founder Kimberly Lining shares what people should know before getting involved.
Read more: buffalosfire.com/q-a-kimberly-lining-on-what-it-takes-to-be-a-volunteer-for-an-mmip-organization

Beyond the red suit: How Native Santas are reclaiming holiday representation - Buffalo’s Fire 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.

Explore Indigenous Santa traditions and their significance. Discover how diverse communities celebrate the holiday season with their own customs and stories. #IndigenousTraditions #CulturalHeritage www.buffalosfire.com/indigenous-s...

Earrings stole the show at Alaska’s AFN and Elders & Youth gatherings. Beader Lisa Krol sold salmon leather “Hello Kitty” earrings — “It almost feels like a fashion show,” she said. 💫
Read more 👇
www.buffalosfire.com/recent-nativ...