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South Dakota
News from South Dakota covering Native issues, politics, environment, education, and more.
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Federal Politics
Trump dumps Noem, taps Mullin to be next DHS Secretary
If approved, Mullin would be second Native man to serve as U.S. Cabinet member
Brian Bull
Native Leadership
Native political organizer and activist running for South Dakota governor
Candidate Allison Renville stresses importance of restoring trust between tribes and the state
Gabrielle Nelson
Historic Preservation
Legislation signed to protect Wounded Knee memorial site
South Dakota’s congressional delegation joins Wounded Knee descendants and supporters at site on 135th anniversary of the massacre
Darren Thompson
Heritage
Crow tribe considers enrollment reset
To combat "death by numbers," Chairman Frank Whiteclay moves to classify all 14,289 current members as full-blooded, so future generations aren't erased by colonial math
Native Sun News Today
Native Leadership
Native political organizer and activist running for South Dakota governor
Candidate Allison Renville stresses importance of restoring trust between tribes and the state
By Gabrielle Nelson
Historic Preservation
Legislation signed to protect Wounded Knee memorial site
South Dakota’s congressional delegation joins Wounded Knee descendants and supporters at site on 135th anniversary of the massacre
By Darren Thompson
Heritage
Crow tribe considers enrollment reset
To combat "death by numbers," Chairman Frank Whiteclay moves to classify all 14,289 current members as full-blooded, so future generations aren't erased by colonial math
James Giago Davies, Native Sun News Today
Treaty Rights
Oceti Sakowin Treaty Council calls for repeal of 1872 Mining Act, protection of He Sápa
Resolution adopted at the Dec 17 Oceti Sakowin Treaty Conference calls for permanent protection of He Sápa (Black Hills) and an end to mining claims
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
Criminal Justice
South Dakota legislators to consider prison proposal
With crime rates dropping, a Native lawmaker is concerned over priorities
By Brian Bull
Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrations unite generations
South Dakota governor seeks audits of tribes
Indigenous content creator represents his people
School superintendent fired after racist comments
Relatives mourn fatal shooting of man who intervened in clash during Oglala Nation powwow
By Talli Nauman and Talli Nauman
Superintendent placed on leave following offensive comments
Access to health care limited in rural and reservation areas
Tribe will not attend governor’s public safety summit
South Dakota Board of Regents clamp down on use of tribal affiliations in email signatures
Rapid City schools see record number of Native graduates
Survey says nearly two-thirds of South Dakota educators use Indigenous standards
Final South Dakota tribe bans governor
Changing the narrative, one photo at a time
Water from arsenic-laced wells could protect tribal land from wildfires
Fourth tribe bans Gov. Kristi Noem
MMIP cases in South Dakota remain high, new efforts hope to change that
Oglala Sioux Tribe calls for ceasefire in Gaza
Two Dakota tribes partner on broadband initiative
Tribes call for apology from SD governor
Indigenous women reclaim traditional birthing practices
Reservation braces itself after OB-GYN program closes
What to know about Kristi Noem's banishment from Pine Ridge
Keeping hearts and minds healthy during the winter
City closes shelter for Natives amid arctic freeze
Voting rights at center of tribal dispute with city
Lakota teacher wins national education award
Supaman joins anti-vaping campaign
Rapid City Indigenous Center in early planning stage
Lakota woman opens Pine Ridge children’s shelter
USDA working with ranchers toward Indigenous food sovereignty
Bill for preserving site of Wounded Knee massacre passes US House
Buttigieg meets with SD tribes to discuss transportation issues
NDN Collective prepares for D.C. rally
Tribe bans educators over child abuse allegations
Tribe takes law into its own hands
Good Relatives Collaborative channels funds to Native-run nonprofits
By Adrianna Adame
Slain man's vandalized memorial leads to reform efforts
Festival eliminates cost barriers for youth
ASPIRE summer camp students learn about rocket science, technology and engineering
By Adrianna Adame
Pipestone carvers preserve revered Native spiritual tradition
Nicole Ducheneaux, Native rights champion, ‘warrior lawyer’ dies
Lakota elders meet to preserve culture, language
RedCan graffiti festival allows self-expression through art
Native artists travel new paths to prosperity
Tribal leaders look to reestablish reservation boundaries
Community left with more questions, fewer answers
Thunder Valley takes steps toward MMIP search and rescue
Black Hills gold mine expansion considered
South Dakota Native leaders focus on educational reforms
Board of Education Standard’s Vote on Social Studies Standards Disappointing, ACLU of South Dakota Says
Native man dies in custody of sheriff’s office
Burn, bury or display
Tribe urges return of young relative's remains
Post-Roe, Native Americans face more abortion hurdles
South Dakota tribe sues US over crime
Police, staff cleared in young mother’s death
Surgeon wants to be first Native to summit Everest
Bill could change South Dakota Tribal Relations Committee
Justice coalition aims to force change after death of Native mother
Native outreach marks South Dakota official's short term in office
South Dakota responds to criticism, says it answered tribal storm needs
Young Native mother's death sparks questions
Lawsuit brings tribe a seat on county commission
New focus on homeless Indigenous needs in South Dakota
MMIP
South Dakota hires missing Indigenous, trafficking positions
The hirings come almost two years after the Legislature created the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons coordinator in the attorney general's office
Associated Press, ICT via Associated Press
White River School District gets $1.5M surprise donation from billionaire philanthropist
South Dakota's Medicaid expansion
Massachusetts museum returns sacred items to Sioux tribes
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe seeks special election for fair voting in county
By Talli Nauman
Redistricting
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe claims prejudice, sues county for diluting Native vote
The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe has filed a federal Voting Rights Act complaint after Lyman County delayed implementing a new Native-majority voting district, potentially disenfranchising voters
By Talli Nauman
Wins for local governance benefit Lower Brule voters last
By Talli Nauman
‘Enhance South Dakota’: Governor must decide on bill delaying Native vote
By Talli Nauman
Native redistricting strategy bolsters South Dakota urban vote
By Talli Nauman
'Historic' meeting renews push for Black Hills
Native vote champions challenge state electoral district maps
By Talli Nauman
Lawmakers launch South Dakota liaison office for missing, murdered Indigenous persons
Business Reporter
Education Reporter
News - Content Coach - Business, Sports, Breaking News-Sioux Falls
Tribal leaders: Bring the flags home
Appeal heard over the Keystone XL Pipeline on Tuesday
South Dakota leads nation in Native American poverty rate
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
Reservation dental care gets $3.3 million boost
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
Cheyenne River Reservation residents need fuel, batteries, food after winter storm
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
Nonprofits
Funder crisis: Cheyenne River Youth Project in jeapordy
The Eagle Butte program says it has no money for roughly $6,000 in monthly utility bills for its two youth centers and may cut hours or close during the winter
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
