Cheyenne River Indian Reservation

Cheyenne River Indian Reservation is a Native American reservation in South Dakota, home to the federally recognized Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The reservation was established by the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 and later modified by the Sioux Act of 1889. It is the fourth-largest reservation in land area in the United States and serves as a central cultural and political hub for the Lakota people.

History

The reservation's origins are rooted in the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, which created the Great Sioux Reservation. Following the discovery of gold in the Black Hills, the United States Congress unilaterally broke the treaty, leading to the Great Sioux War of 1876 and the defeat of forces led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull at battles like the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The Sioux Act of 1889 subsequently broke the Great Sioux Reservation into smaller entities, including the Cheyenne River Reservation. The early 20th century was marked by the Dawes Act and significant land loss, while the mid-century saw activism, including involvement with the American Indian Movement during the Wounded Knee incident in 1973.

Geography and demographics

Encompassing parts of Dewey, Ziebach, Stanley, and Haakon counties, the reservation spans over 4,400 square miles of rolling plains, badlands, and river valleys. Major waterways include the Cheyenne River and the Moreau River, which feed into the Missouri River. The largest community is Eagle Butte, which serves as the tribal headquarters. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the reservation's population was 8,080, predominantly members of the Lakota-speaking bands of the Sioux.

Government and economy

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe operates under a constitution approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior and is governed by an elected Tribal Council chaired by Ryman LeBeau. Key tribal enterprises include the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority and the Prairie Knights Casino and Resort, located near the Standing Rock border. The economy is largely supported by Bureau of Indian Affairs programs, ranching, agriculture, and a growing renewable energy sector. The tribe has been involved in significant legal and political actions, such as opposition to the Keystone Pipeline and litigation to protect water rights.

Culture and communities

The reservation is a vital center for Lakota culture, preserving the Lakota language, traditional ceremonies like the Sun Dance and Inipi, and arts such as beadwork and quillwork. Annual events include the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Fair and Rodeo in Eagle Butte. Other significant communities within the reservation include Dupree, the county seat of Ziebach County, and Isabel. Cultural institutions like the Cheyenne River Youth Project and the Takini School work to sustain heritage and provide community services.

Notable people

Notable individuals from the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation include activist and musician John Trudell, who served as chairman of the American Indian Movement; professional bull rider and INFR champion Marty Becker; and educator and author Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, a recipient of the National Humanities Medal. Other distinguished figures are artist and ledger art painter Donald F. Montileaux and political leader Josephine Kelly, who advocated for tribal sovereignty and education.

Category:Indian reservations in South Dakota Category:Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Category:Populated places in Dewey County, South Dakota Category:Populated places in Ziebach County, South Dakota