Tribal North Dakota Radio Stations Remain Resilient in the Wake of Federal Funding Cuts

By Kyler Edsitty

[North Dakota, October 1, 2025] – North Dakota is known for its vast prairie landscapes and wild bison. However, nestled throughout the state are radio stations with a huge responsibility. KMHA and KABU are charged with delivering news, education, and emergency alerts to their Tribal communities. Without federal Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) funding, these stations face a new obstacle: staying on the air.

CPB funding gave immense support to rural stations for programming, equipment, and overhead expenses. All CPB funding was rescinded by Congress in August 2025. CPB closed its doors in September 2025, leaving all recipients of the Community Service Grant (CSG) only a few months to modify their business model and to seek immense funding elsewhere.

Tribal stations are especially vulnerable in the wake of this huge loss. With the help of their communities and Native Public Media (NPM), they are determined to stay the course when their residents need them the most. NPM is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Tribal radio and television stations. Under its Station Support Program, NPM visited these stations to determine what resources these stations need to continue broadcasting.

Neighboring the Missouri River, KMHA Radio serves the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation near New Town, ND. The hard-working staff and on-air personalities provide cultural and language programming to their broadcasting area. In the same building, the MHA Times provides local news to the area. Since CPB was defunded, KMHA is seeking other ways to generate revenue and operational funding. This includes expanding their Underwriting ventures and revving up their merchandise sales. This funding is vital to remain operational and to complete their goal of expanding their programming.

Across the state, another station is in a similar predicament. Surrounded by Devil’s Lake, KABU Radio broadcasts news, music, and emergency messaging to the Spirit Lake Nation in St. Michael, ND. The small staff is tasked with the same obstacle of having its federal funding cut. The station is pooling community support and appealing to their Tribe for additional funding. However, the staff remain poised and look forward to serving their listeners.

KABU Station Manager Sacheen Thompson spoke to the importance of this funding and the resources they are pooling.

“I’ve been in my position at KABU radio for less than a year and every day is a new learning experience,” stated Thompson. “Our federal funding being cut has created obstacles, but our community and Native Public Media know we are here to stay. We are using every resource to keep our listeners informed and their culture alive.”

Although these Tribal stations and many more are reeling with funding cuts, they remain resilient because their communities rely on them for many services. But they are not alone in this endeavor; their residents and Native Public Media see them as the pillars they are in their reservations. Support can be given from anywhere in the country. Donate to the Tribal Station Endowment Fund here.

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