Standing Rock Elementary school fourth-graders Charmaine Morgan and Shelby Lynn Thompson receive help from their teacher Marcella Willetto on Thursday. The BIA funded school recently passed its Annual Yearly Progress goals. [Photo by Brian Leddy/Independent] Full Story

ABOVE: Fritz Gerald Jr. hugs his cousin Mallorey White soon after arriving at the scene of his burning home Saturday afternoon at 15 Uprooted Tree, just west of the Highway 602 twenty mile marker. Gerald arrived at the scene with his mother and siblings in shock to see their home completely distroyed by flames. BELOW: Bridgette Thomas stands looking at what remains of her home at 15 Uprooted Tree, just west of the Highway 602 twenty mile marker, after a fire distroyed the home. While commenting about the home, Thomas said, "It was like a lot of memories...now it's just start all over again...get things to the way things used to be." Thomas said two dogs, Shorty and Daisy died in the fire. It is undetermined what caused the fire. [Photos by Daniel Zollinger/Independent] Full Story

With little leverage against a burning home, a fire fighter sprays water from small fire hose just west of the 20 mile marker on Highway 602 Saturday afternoon. Deep mud on roadways leading up to the house and a remote location, elminated nearlly all chances of saving the home. Using small fire trucks that could navigate the muddy road, fire fighter attempted to dampen the flames. The family was not home a the time of the fire. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent] Full Story