North Dakota
North Dakota’s first Indian Child Welfare Act Court could be established in Northeast Judicial District
BISMARCK — With the passage this week of a budget bill amendment that would allocate funding to specialized courts throughout the state, the Northeast Judicial District is one step closer to establishing an Indian Child Welfare Act Court in North Dakota.
The $125,292 allocation was previously removed from SB 2002, but after being asked to reconsider, the Education and Environment Division of House Appropriations added it back into the budget during a Tuesday committee hearing.
“If this is implemented, we would be the first ICWA Court in North Dakota — really addressing those unique needs of Native American families and upholding the intent of the law, which is to preserve those cultural connections and family unity whenever possible,” said Heather Traynor, who works for the North Dakota Supreme Court’s court improvement program. She testified in favor of the funding allocation.
Though they make up approximately 6% of the state’s population, Indigenous youth account for 26% of its foster care population, Traynor said. There have been many efforts throughout the last 15 years to determine how this disproportionate rate can be reduced.
Traynor, and others, believe ICWA court could be an answer.
The ICWA, a federal law established in the 1970s, was a response to the “unwarranted removal of Indian children from their families and tribal communities in alarming numbers,” according to the ICWA Law Center, an Indigenous legal services nonprofit organization.
Highlights of the act include recognizing tribal sovereignty, preserving Indigenous families and recognizing tribal and familial connections.
It requires higher levels of engagement to keep families together and, if that is not possible, to keep them within or otherwise connected to their communities, Traynor said.
The act describes placement preferences for Indigenous children as the following, in order of preference:
- A member of the child’s extended family;
- an Indigenous foster home licensed, approved or specified by the child’s tribe;
- an Indigenous foster home licensed or approved by an authorized non-Indigenous licensing authority; or
- an institution for children that is approved by a tribe, or operated by an Indigenous organization, and has a program suitable for the child’s needs.
The ICWA does not apply to all Indigenous youth. Rather, it applies to those who either are enrolled with a tribe or are eligible for enrollment, Traynor said.
“With ICWA, we look to protect the best interests of Native American children, and prevent unnecessary removal,” she said. “That’s why it was put into place. But it’s important that we focus on these efforts once they are removed, so that they can maintain that cultural connection with their Native American families and communities.”
Across the 23 states that have established their own ICWA courts as an intervention tool, the goal of timely permanency has been found to be more attainable, Traynor said.
Permanency is a living situation that is permanent and stable, and ideally preserves existing familial connections, according to the Child Welfare website, an official website of the Children’s Bureau and Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Benefits of an ICWA court would include the opportunity for a more family-based approach with earlier intervention and consistency in scheduling that would allow for a tribal presence at hearings, Traynor said.
WATFORD CITY, N.D. (KUMV) – The North Dakota Department of Transportation awarded more than 150 million dollars in bids to continue expanding highway 85 south of Watford City.
More than $83.8 million will go to Park Construction out of Minneapolis for one segment. It covers about five and a half miles south of the Long X Bridge, going through another section of the badlands. It’s expected to be a three-year project due to the rough terrain.
The next segment covers 12 and a half miles south from the badlands to the highway 200 intersection. The winning bid went to Strata out of Grand Forks for $61.7 million. It will be a two-year project.
Funding for these projects were provided by both the state and federal government.
Copyright 2025 KFYR. All rights reserved.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on…
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on Saturday.
Griffin had three steals for the Leathernecks (4-7). Karyiek Dixon scored 17 points while shooting 6 of 10 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line and added 18 rebounds. Lucas Lorenzen shot 3 for 13 (1 for 9 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points.
Eli King led the way for the Fightin’ Hawks (4-9) with 13 points, two steals and four blocks. Greyson Uelmen added 13 points for North Dakota. Garrett Anderson had 11 points and six rebounds.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
North Dakota
Community rescues grieving North Dakota widow — by harvesting their late pal’s 1,400 acres of crops
In North Dakota, farmers aren’t neighbors — they’re family.
When a sudden car crash tragically took the life of a beloved community member, the goodhearted folks of Antler came together to carry out one final act of kindness: they harvested his crops.
Randy Fyllesvold was killed in September, and his grieving widow, Kharra, and their two sons were left reeling, in no condition to deal with the 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans still in the fields surrounding their home.
That’s when the close-knit community stepped in.
Two of Randy’s pals — Wyatt Thompson and Andy Gates — decided to organize a large-scale harvest of their late pal’s crops.
First, they put out a call for help.
And the people answered. In a flash, more than 75 volunteers from surrounding communities were rolling onto the farm on 12 combines, in 40 trucks, all loaded with other equipment — along with willing hands.
They worked together like a well-oiled machine, and the massive effort was locked up in just a couple days.
Kharra said being among so many people harvesting her husband’s final crop was “nothing short of breathtaking” and she feels blessed to be the recipient of so much love and support in such a harrowing time.
But they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“To know Randy was to love Randy,” said buddy Wyatt Thompson told local station KFYR. “..The reach that he had was kind of endless.”
Kharra said she’ll never forget what they did for her.
“As I stood in the shop and looked around before the final Randy Fyllesvold corn harvest started, I was flooded with memories we created with all of you,” she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post.
“The day was full of emotion, but I found so much peace in watching it unfold … but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will always remember this and Randy would be so proud.
“God Bless all of you and the boys and I love each and every one of you. 12 combines, 7 grain carts, over 40 trucks all for you Randy.
“I know you are smiling down.”
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