North Dakota
ND American Indian Summit celebrates its 10th anniversary
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – For the last ten years, the North Dakota American Indian Summit has provided information and resources about Native American culture and history for the classroom.
It has also discussed ways to help Native American students work on healing any trauma or improving their mental health to aid their academic success.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the Native American graduation rate ten years ago was 60 percent. That year, the North Dakota American Indian Summit was organized by the Department of Public Instruction. The event’s purpose was to educate teachers on how to lead their Native American students to success in school.
”It became obvious that it was critical, for the success of our state, and for the ability for us to fully thrive to our fullest potential as a state, we needed to make sure that every single student in our school system was meeting their fullest potential,” said Kirsten Baesler, state superintendent.
This year Derrick Boles, a motivational speaker, was invited to be one of the keynote speakers at the summit. Boles’ message was about mental health and taking charge of your life. He said he sees similarities between challenges in the Black community to the ones the Native American community faces.
”There’s so much growth that can happen if we can connect people together, from multiple backgrounds,” said Boles. “So having different experiences, different perspectives and just having everybody thinking the same thing is the issue.”
Over the last 10 years, the Native American student graduation rates have increased, from 60 percent in 2014 to 77 percent in 2023.
”Right before the pandemic, our Native American students were graduating at the same rate as all of our overall graduation rate, and so they were in the upper eighties, lower nineties graduation rate,” said Baesler.
The rates decreased again during the COVID-19 lockdown, but Baesler said they have been on the rise.
This year’s summit was focused on strengthening Native American education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.
MANDAN, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – Former North Dakota Game & Fish Director Terry Steinwand has been charged with molesting a child.
The Class “A” misdemeanor was filed after a Morton County District Court judge rejected a proposed plea agreement to a felony charge and prosecutors dismissed the charge while retaining the right to file an amended charge.
Steinwand is from Mandan. The 72-year-old is now charged with one count of sexual assault-offensive contact. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
Steinwand was originally charged in September, 2025, when police say he admitted to sexual misconduct.
Steinwand worked for the Game & Fish Dept. for 40 years. He led the agency for about 15 years and retired in 2021.
(KNOX) – The North Dakota Board of Higher Education is being asked to weigh in on the reconstruction of Ray Richard’s Golf Course in Grand Forks. The upgrades and deferred maintenance improvements are the result of the pending DeMers Avenue/42nd Street Underpass project.
UND sold 6.5 acres of the nine hole course to the North Dakota Department of Transportation for the grade separation. During the road construction the golf course will be realigned and reduced to a par 34 course. UND will also address underground utilities and irrigation systems. The total cost is around 4.5 million dollars.
The course will close for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The goal is to reopen in 2028. SBHE is expected to approve the design at its April 30th meeting.
Crews are expected to begin preliminary work on the $90 million dollar underpass project this week. The initial phase will have minimal impacts to traffic on both 42nd Street and DeMers Avenue. Larger impacts are expected later this summer.
MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Casselton Fire responded to a shop fire in rural Mapleton on Saturday afternoon, according to Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl.
Casselton Fire was dispatched to the scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Windy conditions escalated the fire before crews arrived, Hejl said.
Firefighters used defensive and offensive lines to control the fire upon arrival.
Casselton Fire was assisted by Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Casselton Ambulance, West Fargo Police Department, Davenport Fire and Mapleton Fire.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
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