Standing Rock Sioux Tribe swears in new leaders

In a packed ballroom, roughly 500 people — friends, family, tribal members and government officials — gathered to congratulate the newly elected officials and honor past tribal leaders. They also commemorated the work of outgoing Chairwoman Janet Alkire, Vice Chairman Frank Jamerson and District Representatives John Pretty Bear and Joe White Mountain.

Alkire, born and raised on the Standing Rock Reservation, has held office since 2021. Earlier this year, she announced plans to retire. She was the first elected woman to chair the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. During her term, Alkire said, she expanded healthcare to tribal members, lobbied in Washington, D.C., to increase tribal funding and fought to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Tribal leaders honored Alkire with a ceremonial knife — symbolizing her role as a protector and provider — a star quilt and an eagle feather.

During her speech at the inauguration, Alkire thanked tribal elders for guiding her, tribal members for electing her and her tribal administration for helping her lead with truth and compassion.

“Everyone worked really hard to move our people forward,” she said. “We have to keep moving forward.”

Alkire also congratulated Chairman Sitting Bear, Vice Chairman Mike Faith, Secretary Arlene Cordova and the other newly elected representatives. She told Buffalo’s Fire she’s “not worried about the future” of the tribe, knowing its people are in good hands. She encouraged the new administration to “stay positive no matter what” and to stand united with other tribal nations.

“If something terrible happens to one tribe, we all feel it, especially in the Great Plains,” she said. “We are passionate people. We are treaty people.”

The 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty was a common theme of the inauguration. Keynote speaker Cecilia Fire Thunder, the first female president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, urged the newly elected members of the tribal council to “make sure the U.S. government upholds” the treaty.

“Treaties are the supreme law of the land,” she said. “Remember that.”

She also spoke about the importance of tribal unity and bringing back traditions.

“Doesn’t matter what tribe you come from. We’re all related,” she said, as the audience loudly applauded and cheered. “We have to do everything we can to help each other.”

After the election officials announced the new tribal council members and newly elected Chief Judge Michael Swallow swore them in, Chairman Sitting Bear ended the event with a promise to tribal members.

“There’s going to be change. That can be uncomfortable,” he said. “But I’m committed, and I’m going to push hard.”