Dec. 18 Buffalo’s Fire Newsletter

Judy Yesslith, left, and her daughter, Chasity Yess;ith, enjoy festivies at the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation elder's Christmas party on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Four Bears Events Center in New Town, North Dakota. (Photo Credit Jodi Rave Spotted Bear)

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From the classroom to campus leadership: Brett Williamson named UTTC dean of instruction

Marine-turned-journalist-turned-instructor brings diverse experience to new role

Brett Williamson, a research psychologist and instructor at United Tribes Technical College, will begin his role as dean of instruction on Jan. 6. He joined the faculty in 2019 and has since been committed to supporting students. (Photo credit Adrianna Adame)

In the 1980s, Brett Williamson’s parents sat in United Tribes Technical College classrooms as students. This January, he’ll walk the same halls as the college’s new dean of instruction, marking a full-circle journey that began when he took his first steps on campus as a toddler.

As chair of the General Education Department and a psychology instructor, he’s now preparing for a new chapter. On Jan. 6, he’ll step into his role as dean of instruction and move to a new office on campus. The dean of instruction ensures courses meet United Tribes’ standards.

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Report for America announces 100+ newsroom partners and the opening of new corps member applications

Selections include 66 local newsroom partners and corps member positions, 35 accelerator program participants, with expanded photojournalist and education reporter opportunities still to be announced

Buffalo’s Fire has been selected as a host newsroom in Report for America’s 2025-2026 cohort, its third award from the program, which helps local newsrooms expand coverage of underreported topics. The award will help support a reporter dedicated to covering the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous People.

Report for America announced today several new partnership and program developments designed to bring immediate and long-term solutions to the challenges facing local news.

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Native Inc. set to host evening of Lakota storytelling, winter solstice teachings

Historian Dakota Wind Goodhouse explains cultural significance of holiday in Great Plains

Dakota Wind Goodhouse, a historian and citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, will be sharing his knowledge on the cultural significance of the winter solstice in the Great Plains at Native Inc. on Dec. 16. When he’s not instructing classes, he often presents his research, such as on the Sept. 30 Orange Shirt Day event at UTTC. (Photo credit Adrianna Adame)

As the longest night of the year approaches, Dakota Wind Goodhouse invites you to join him in exploring the cultural significance of the winter solstice through Lakota eyes.

The nonprofit Indigenous-led community organization Native Inc. will feature him at its winter solstice event on Monday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Goodhouse is a historian and citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He plans to share his expertise on Lakota heritage, through storytelling and a presentation about the holiday on the Northern Plains. This year the date of the official winter solstice is Dec. 21.