The Rosebud Sioux Reservation, home to members descended from the Sicangu Oyate, also known as the Brule Sioux, of the Tetonwan Division of the Great Sioux Nation, represents a significant chapter in the history and ongoing story of the Lakota people. This article delves into the intricate details of the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, encompassing its governmental structure, geographical landscape, cultural heritage, historical context, and contemporary challenges and opportunities.
A Nation Within a Nation: Tribal Governance
The relationship between the United States government and the tribal nations is defined by a government-to-government framework, rooted in the U.S. Constitution. This framework acknowledges the inherent sovereignty of tribal nations, a principle further solidified through treaties signed in the 19th century. These treaties, legal cornerstones of the relationship, established the boundaries of tribal lands and recognized the rights of the Sioux people as a sovereign government.
The Rosebud Sioux Reservation, like other tribal nations, operates under its own constitution, consistent with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. This constitution, approved by the tribal membership and the Tribal Council, forms the bedrock of their self-governance. The Tribal Council, the governing body of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, comprises a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-At-Arms, and twenty additional council members. These individuals are elected by the tribal members to represent their interests and make decisions on behalf of the tribe.
The President, serving a two-year term, functions as the administrative head of the Tribe. While the President and Vice-President are elected at large, the Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-At-Arms are appointed by the Tribal Council from among its elected members, ensuring a balance of representation and expertise within the tribal government.
The Rosebud Sioux Reservation is further divided into twelve districts, each contributing to the overall governance and representation of the tribal members:
- Ideal
- Butte Creek/Okreek
- Antelope
- Ring Thunder/Soldier Creek
- St. Francis
- Grass Mtn./Upper Cut Meat
- Swift Bear
- Parmelee
- Rosebud
- Black Pipe/He Dog
- Corn Creek/Horse Creek
- Bull Creek/Milks Camp
The Tribal/Agency Headquarters is located in Rosebud, South Dakota. The reservation spans across several counties in South Dakota, including Gregory, Mellette, Todd, Tripp, and a portion of Lyman County. As of the most recent data, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe has 15,438 enrolled members, with a reservation service population of 12,763. The unemployment rate on the reservation stands at approximately 45%, underscoring the economic challenges faced by the community. The primary languages spoken are Lakota and English, reflecting a blend of traditional heritage and modern integration. The Lakota bands associated with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe are the Upper Brule, also known as the Sicangu Oyate.
Land and Resources: A Sacred Connection
The land holds profound significance for the Lakota people, both culturally and economically. The total area of the Rosebud Sioux Reservation encompasses 922,759 acres, with the majority of the land either tribally owned (504,410 acres) or allotted to individual tribal members (417,687 acres). A small fraction of the land (662 acres) is owned by non-Indians.
The Rosebud Sioux Reservation is situated in south-central South Dakota, bordering the Pine Ridge Reservation to the northwest and the state of Nebraska to the south. Todd County forms the northern and eastern boundaries. The Rosebud Service Unit, encompassing a larger area than the reservation itself, includes Gregory, Mellette, Todd, and Tripp counties in South Dakota, as well as Cherry County in Nebraska, covering a total of 5,961 square miles.
The community of Rosebud serves as the central hub for business, commerce, health services, government operations, and the Indian Health Service (IHS) Hospital. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Agency is located in Mission, South Dakota, approximately 18 miles east of Rosebud. The Tribal Headquarters in Rosebud is approximately 270 miles from the BIA and IHS Aberdeen Area Office.
Cultural Tapestry: Language, Traditions, and Identity
The Great Sioux Nation, also referred to as the Lakota/Dakota/Nakota Nation, is a testament to the rich cultural diversity of the Sioux people. The people of the Sioux Nation often refer to themselves as Lakota or Dakota, which translates to "friend" or "ally." The term "Sioux" was derived from the Chippewa (Ojibway) word "Nadowesioux," meaning "little snake" or "enemy," and was later shortened by French traders and trappers.
The Rosebud Sioux Reservation is home to the Sicangu or Brule Tribe of the Lakota Nation, also known as the Heyata Wicasa or Upper Brule. The broader Lakota Nation comprises various bands, including Upper Brule, Lower Brule, Oglala, Hunkpapa, Blackfoot, Minnecoujou, Sans Arcs, and Two Kettle.
The Lakota language, an "L" dialect of the Siouan language family, is a vital component of their cultural identity. Historically, the Lakota were renowned as expert horsemen and buffalo hunters on the plains. The Yankton and Yanktonais, known as the Wiceyala or Middle Sioux, speak the "N" dialect, while the Isanti, or Stone Knife People, speak the "D" dialect.
The oral tradition continues to play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge from elders to the younger generations. The Lakota/Dakota/Nakota people maintain their sacred and traditional ceremonies, including the seven rites of Lakota religion brought by the White Buffalo Calf Woman. Social gatherings, such as powwows, rodeos, and races, are celebrated during the summer months, fostering a sense of community and cultural pride.
Historical Trajectory: Treaties, Conflict, and Resilience
The history of the Rosebud Sioux Reservation is intertwined with the broader narrative of the Great Sioux Nation and its interactions with the United States government. The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 recognized the vast land base of the Great Sioux Nation, extending from the Big Horn Mountains in the west to eastern Wisconsin, and from Canada in the north to the Republican River in Kansas in the south.
However, subsequent treaties and government actions significantly reduced the territory of the Great Sioux Nation. The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 redefined the boundaries, encompassing the land from the Big Horn Mountains to the east side of the Missouri River, the Heart River in North Dakota to the north, and the Platte River in Nebraska to the south, including the western half of South Dakota.
The Black Hills, sacred to the Lakota/Dakota people, lie at the heart of the Great Sioux Nation. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874 by General George A. Custer and his 7th Cavalry triggered a conflict between the United States and the Great Sioux Nation, as the U.S. government sought to purchase or rent the land, a proposition vehemently rejected by the Lakota people.
The Battle of the Little Big Horn on June 15, 1876, witnessed a victory for the Lakota Nation and its allies, the Cheyenne and Arapaho, against General George A. Custer and his 7th Cavalry. However, this victory was followed by a period of hardship and displacement, as the U.S. government pressured the Lakota people to move onto reservations.
The "Sell or Starve Bill" of 1877, also known as the Agreement of 1877, was a coercive measure used by the U.S. Congress to illegally seize the Black Hills from the Great Sioux Nation. The Allotment Act of 1888 further fragmented tribal lands by allotting 160-acre parcels to individuals. The Act of 1889 divided the Great Sioux Nation into smaller reservations, reducing their original size by approximately half.
The Ghost Dance movement, a spiritual revival led by Wovoka, a Paiute spiritual leader, gained traction among the Lakota people. However, the U.S. Army viewed the movement as a threat and ordered the arrest of Sitting Bull, resulting in his death at the hands of Indian Police on December 15, 1890.
The Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, 1890, marked a tragic chapter in Lakota history, as the 7th Cavalry massacred approximately 300 Lakota people, leaving their bodies to freeze in the snow. Despite these injustices, the people of the Great Sioux Nation have persevered and continue to thrive in their homeland.
Environmental Landscape: Climate, Water, and Sustainability
The climate on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation is characterized by an average rainfall of 16-17 inches during the summer season, with a growing season lasting from June to August. Snowfall ranges from moderate to heavy during the winter months, with temperatures fluctuating from 30 degrees below zero to an average of 25 degrees above zero. Summer temperatures average 80 degrees, with ranges from 69 degrees to 110 degrees between June and August. The average wind speed is 18 mph annually.
Water resources are a critical concern for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Many residents rely on poorly constructed or low-capacity individual wells, which are often contaminated with bacteria or undesirable minerals and provide an inadequate supply of water. The Mni Wiconi Water Project, currently under construction, aims to provide water from the Missouri River to the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, as well as the Lower Brule and Pine Ridge Reservations and several non-Indian communities, addressing the long-standing water needs of the region.
Socioeconomic Realities: Transportation, Economy, and Public Services
Transportation on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation is facilitated by Highway 18, which runs east and west through the reservation, and Highway 83, which bisects the reservation from north to south. Greyhound Bus services are available in Winner, Phillip, and Pierre, South Dakota. The nearest commercial airline is located in Pierre, approximately 100 miles north of Rosebud.
The major economic activities on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation include cattle ranching and farming, along with employment provided by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, tribally operated schools, Sinte Gleska University, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Indian Health Service. The Rosebud Casino is also a significant employer.
Community services on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation encompass elderly nutrition programs, youth cultural and recreational activities, health care services provided by the Indian Health Service and the Tribal Health Department, and an ambulance service. The Rosebud Housing Authority manages over 1000 housing units through HUD Low Rent and Mutual Help homeownership programs.
Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Environmental Stewardship
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is committed to continuing progress in providing for its people and fostering increased self-sufficiency. Plans are underway to develop natural and cultural resources, preserve traditions, educate tribal members and non-members, and strengthen the reservation’s economy. The Tribe is dedicated to maintaining its culture and developing new economic opportunities for future generations.
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe faces environmental challenges, including groundwater contamination from hydrocarbons, arsenic, and nitrates. The Tribe is actively researching water development needs and projects to ensure a sustainable and high-quality water supply for its residents.