The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, a land steeped in history and cultural significance, is home to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, descendants of the Teton and Yankton bands of the Lakota/Dakota Nations. Established by the Act of March 2, 1889, the reservation represents a portion of the ancestral lands of the Great Sioux Nation, a nation also known as the Lakota Nation, the Tetons, or the Western Sioux. The people of this nation traditionally refer to themselves as Lakota/Dakota, meaning "friend" or "ally." The term "Sioux," however, has a different origin, derived from the Chippewa (Ojibway) word "Nadowesioux," meaning "little snake" or "enemy," which was later shortened to "Sioux" by French traders and trappers.
Tribal Governance and Sovereignty
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe operates under a unique government-to-government relationship with the United States, a framework established through treaties signed in 1851 and 1868. These treaties, considered binding documents under international law, defined the original boundaries of the Great Sioux Nation and recognized the inherent rights of the Tribe as a sovereign government. This sovereignty grants the Tribal government jurisdiction over all reservation lands, encompassing rights-of-way, waterways, watercourses, and streams that traverse any part of the reservation, as well as any lands added to the reservation in the future under U.S. law.
The internal structure of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal government is defined by a constitution approved on April 24, 1959, by the Tribal Council. This council is comprised of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, a Secretary, and fourteen additional council members, all elected by the enrolled members of the Tribe. The Tribal Council Chairman serves as the head of administration for the Tribe. Both the Chairman and Council members serve four-year terms. Six council members are elected at-large, without regard to their residence in any specific district or state, while the remaining members are elected to represent their respective districts.
The Eight Districts of Standing Rock
The Standing Rock Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is divided into eight distinct districts, each with its own unique character and population. The districts, along with their respective populations, are as follows:
- District 1: Fort Yates, North Dakota: 1,961 residents
- District 2: Porcupine, North Dakota: 219 residents
- District 3: Kenel, South Dakota: 259 residents
- District 4: Wakpala, South Dakota: 707 residents
- District 5: Little Eagle, South Dakota: 695 residents
- District 6: McLaughlin (Bear Soldier), South Dakota: 758 residents
- District 7: Bullhead (Rock Creek), South Dakota: 692 residents
- District 8: Cannon Ball, North Dakota: 847 residents
The Tribal and Agency Headquarters are located in Fort Yates, North Dakota. The reservation spans across several counties, including Sioux County in North Dakota, and Corson, Dewey, and Ziebach Counties in South Dakota.
Demographics and Land Ownership
The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, established as a Federal Reservation in 1873, has a diverse population. The enrolled members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe number 10,859, while the overall reservation population is 6,171. The population density is notably low, with an average of 0.4 persons per square mile. The labor force on the reservation consists of 3,761 individuals, but the unemployment rate remains high at 79%. The primary languages spoken are Lakota/Dakota and English.
The land within the reservation is divided into various categories of ownership. Of the total area of 2,300,000 acres:
- Tribal Owned Land: 866,072 acres
- Tribal Owned Allotted Land: 542,543 acres
- Total Tribal Owned Land: 1,408,061 acres
- Non-Indian Owned Land: 1,283,000 acres
- Reservoir Taken Area: 55,993 acres
This complex pattern of land ownership reflects the historical and legal challenges faced by the Tribe in maintaining control over its ancestral territories.
Geography and Landscape
The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is situated thirty-four miles south of Mandan, North Dakota. The Cannon Ball River forms the northern boundary of the reservation, while Cedar Creek marks the northwestern edge. The reservation extends westward to the Perkins County and Adams County line, and eastward to the Missouri River. The southern boundary is defined by the Cheyenne River Reservation line.
The total land area of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is vast, encompassing 2.3 million acres, with 1,408,061 acres under tribal ownership. The land holds profound significance for the Lakota/Dakota people, deeply intertwined with their cultural identity and way of life. The reservation’s terrain is characterized by rolling hills, woodlands, river valleys, and lakes, creating a diverse and ecologically rich landscape.
Cultural Heritage and Traditions
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is comprised of the Hunkpapa and Blackfeet bands of the Lakota Nation, as well as the Hunkpatinas and Cuthead bands of the Yanktonais of the Dakota Nation. The broader Lakota Nation, also known as the Great Sioux Nation, includes the Oglala, Brulé, Minneconjou, Hunkpapa, Blackfeet, Without Bows, and Two Kettle bands.
The Lakota people speak an "L" dialect of the Siouan language and were traditionally skilled horsemen and buffalo hunters on the plains. The Yankton and Yanktonais, referred to as the Middle Sioux, speak the "D" dialect of Siouan. The Cuthead band belongs to the Upper Yanktonais, while the Hunkatina are the Lower Yanktonais; both reside on the Standing Rock Reservation.
The Lakota/Dakota people maintain their sacred and traditional ceremonies, including the seven rites of the Lakota Nation brought to them by the White Buffalo Calf Woman. Social gatherings such as powwows, rodeos, and races are integral to the community’s cultural life, particularly during the summer months. Special powwows are held to honor individuals who have achieved milestones, such as graduation or acceptance into the armed forces, featuring traditional honoring ceremonies, giveaways, and feasts. The oral tradition remains a vital means of transmitting knowledge and values from elders to the younger generations.
A History of Struggle and Resilience
The history of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is intertwined with the broader narrative of the Great Sioux Nation and its interactions with the United States government. The Great Sioux Nation initially retained a vast land base as defined by the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, extending from the Big Horn Mountains in the west to the east side of the Missouri River, and from the Heart River in the north to the Platte River in the south.
However, the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty reduced the nation’s territory to the east side of the Missouri River and the state line of South Dakota in the west. The Black Hills, sacred to the Lakota/Dakota people, lay at the heart of this territory. In 1874, General George A. Custer’s 7th Cavalry violated the 1868 Treaty by entering the Black Hills and discovering gold, sparking a gold rush and escalating conflict between the United States and the Great Sioux Nation.
The Sioux Nation resisted the encroachment, refusing to sell or rent their sacred lands. Sitting Bull, a spiritual leader of the Hunkpapa band, led the resistance, vowing to preserve the Lakota way of life. In June 1876, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as the Battle of Greasy Grass, resulted in a significant victory for the Lakota Nation and its allies, the Cheyenne and Arapaho, over General Custer’s 7th Cavalry.
Despite this victory, the Great Sioux Nation eventually scattered, with some fleeing to Canada and others surrendering to reservation life. The U.S. government continued to pressure the Lakota to sell the Black Hills. In 1877, the government introduced the "Starve or Sell Bill," also known as the Agreement of 1877, which illegally seized the Black Hills from the Great Sioux Nation.
The Act of 1889 further fragmented the Great Sioux Nation into smaller reservations, with two million acres forming the Standing Rock Reservation, encompassing the Yanktonais and Cuthead bands on the North Dakota side, and the Hunkpapas and Blackfeet on the South Dakota side. Sitting Bull continued to resist the reduction of land and was killed by Indian Police in 1890 during an attempt to arrest him for participating in the Ghost Dance.
Following Sitting Bull’s death, the Hunkpapa people fled south, joining Big Foot’s band and seeking refuge at the Pine Ridge Reservation. However, the 7th Cavalry intercepted them at Wounded Knee on December 29, 1890, and massacred approximately 300 Lakota people, leaving their bodies to freeze in the snow. Despite this tragic event, the people of the Great Sioux Nation have persevered, maintaining their culture and traditions in their homeland.
Climate and Transportation
The Standing Rock Standing Rock Sioux Reservation experiences a climate characterized by moderate rainfall, averaging 16-17 inches during the summer season. The growing season extends from June to August. Winter snowfall ranges from moderate to heavy, with temperatures often dropping below zero. Summer temperatures average around 80 degrees Fahrenheit but can fluctuate between 69 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The area is prone to occasional droughts in the summer and severe blizzards in the winter.
Transportation within and around the reservation is facilitated by several highways. The Lewis and Clark Trail (historical highway 1806) runs along the Missouri River, connecting to Highway 24, which traverses the communities of Cannon Ball and Fort Yates. Highway 6 extends from Mandan, North Dakota, to Highway 12, which crosses the reservation east to west from Mobridge to Lemon, South Dakota. Highway 65 runs south from Flasher, North Dakota, through McIntosh, South Dakota. While there are no major transportation facilities located directly on the reservation, charter buses and limousine services operate to and from the Prairie Knights and Grand River Casinos. Greyhound Bus services are available in nearby Bismarck, and the nearest commercial airline is located in Bismarck, North Dakota, approximately 40 miles north of the reservation.
Economic Activities
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s primary economic activities revolve around cattle ranching and farming. The Tribe has established various industries on the reservation and is committed to developing further enterprises. Tribal-owned businesses include the Prairie Knights Casino and Lodge, Prairie Knights Quik Mart, Grand River Casino, Standing Rock Farms, and Standing Rock Sand and Gravel.
Individual districts also operate businesses, such as bingo halls in Bear Soldier, Little Eagle, Cannon Ball, Fort Yates, and Porcupine. Bear Soldier has a grocery store, Cannon Ball has a convenience store/gas station, Bullhead has a trading post, and Little Eagle has a laundromat. Many enrolled members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe own and operate their own businesses. Non-Indian-owned businesses are also present throughout the reservation, primarily in McIntosh and McLaughlin, South Dakota, and in Selfridge and Solen, North Dakota.
Education, Recreation, and Public Utilities
Educational services, from kindergarten through 12th grade, are available in every community on the reservation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs operates elementary and secondary schools in Fort Yates, North Dakota. The Tribe provides preschool education through the Head Start program. Public schools are located in McIntosh, McLaughlin, and Wakpala, South Dakota, and in the Fort Yates District, Selfridge, and Solen, North Dakota. Sitting Bull College, located on the reservation, offers associate degrees in various fields.
Recreational opportunities on the Standing Rock Sioux Standing Rock Sioux Reservation include the Prairie Knights Casino near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, and the Grand River Casino near Wakpala, South Dakota. The Prairie Knights Lodge, adjacent to the Prairie Knights Casino, provides lodging accommodations. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe hosts district powwows throughout the summer months.
Montana-Dakota Utilities Company and Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Coop Inc. provide electricity and natural gas to the reservation. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe plans to develop its own utilities company and telephone company. The MR & I Water Distribution System supplies water lines to the districts, ensuring access to clean water for enrolled members. However, many residents in rural districts still rely on well water.
Community Services and Housing
The U.S. Indian Health Service operates a hospital in Fort Yates and smaller clinics in various districts. The Tribal Health Department offers a range of health services, including community health representatives, health education, eye examinations, and emergency health care. The Tribe also provides an elderly nutrition program and youth recreational activities.
The Standing Rock Housing Authority constructs and manages over 650 homes for Tribal members living on the reservation. Additional housing options include low-income HUD Low Rent for individual Indian residents in reservation communities. The need for housing remains a significant challenge on Standing Rock, with a higher number of persons per household compared to the states of North Dakota and South Dakota, and the U.S. average.
Environmental Concerns
The creation of Lake Oahe, resulting from the Pick-Sloan Act, had detrimental effects on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, leading to the loss of infrastructure and land. Water quality and availability are also critical concerns on the reservation. Many residents depend on poorly constructed or low-capacity wells, which are often contaminated. The Tribe is working to improve water distribution and quality. Illegal dumping is also a significant environmental problem on the reservation, potentially causing soil and groundwater contamination.
A Vision for the Future
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is dedicated to achieving self-sufficiency for its people and its land. The Tribe envisions developing its own bank, fostering new business ventures, expanding Sitting Bull College to include a tribal archives and genealogy center, and establishing a cultural resource center/museum. The Tribe is committed to preserving its people, culture, traditions, and way of life for future generations, ensuring that its children carry on the knowledge of their traditional language and culture. The Elders are recognized as valuable resources who pass on tribal history to the youth, enabling the Tribe to grow as a people with its own distinct culture, history, and way of life.