|
» Advanced Search
|
Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe of Lake Traverse Reservation
of South and North Dakota
Location
The Lake Traverse Reservation of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, created
in 1867, spans in five counties of northeastern South Dakota, as well
as two counties of southeastern North Dakota. Trust acreage of the reservation
is 108,129. Topography ranges from the Sisseton hills in the south to
Lake Traverse and the Minnesota River valley in the north.
History
For almost a century after the arrival of white explorers, the Lakota
(Sioux) occupied villages along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. As the
tribes began moving south and west in pursuit of buffalo, changes in dialect
and traditional customs began to take place. Three divisions are now recognized
by most authorities as the result of the migration—the Santee, the
Middle Dakota, and the Teton. Following the 1862 Minnesota Sioux War,
the Dakota speaking Sisseton-Wahpeton bands were placed on the Lake Traverse
Reservation. Similarities are thought to exist today between the Sisseton-Wahpeton
bands and groups that migrated further to the south and west.
General Information
Tribal enrollment is 10,227. Up until, and during the Depression, tribal
members survived through subsistence farming, trapping, hunting, fishing,
and federal trust fund payments. New Deal programs and the Civilian Conservation
Corps were especially helpful in providing employment on the reservation.
By the 1960s, cultural renewal had generated changes in tribal education
and government, and Congress funded two new schools, one in Sisseton and
one in Peever to provide integrated instruction. Today, the Tiospa Zina
High School and Sisseton-Wahpeton Community College provide education
with emphasis on traditional tribal culture.
The tribe’s long-term goal has been to reduce reliance on federal
projects and programs. The success of its three gaming facilities, located
in Agency Village, Watertown and Hankinson, North Dakota has helped realize
this goal. The tribe receives over $1 million annually from the lease
of land to non-Indians for crop production and grazing, and it continues
to pursue agribusiness opportunities. Its small business sector is heavily
concentrated in the areas of construction, automotive repair shops, and
small stores. Dakota Western, the tribe’s plastic trash bag manufacturer,
whose major contract is with the U.S. Government’s General Services
Administration, has excellent expansion opportunities.
Possibilities also exist for development of recreational, commercial,
and residential facilities on Lake Traverse, as well as on the reservation’s
other numerous lakes and wetlands. An annual powwow and rodeo draw a substantial
number of visitors every summer.
Disaster Risks
- Flooding: High water on the reservation is the largest concern, especially
in the portions near Day County. The reservation was part of both
the 1997 and 1998 declarations for South Dakota spring flooding.
- Winter Storms: Much like the rest of their South Dakota neighbors,
the Sisseton-Wahpeton tribe experienced a rough winter in January of
1996. The storms isolated rural parts of the community, resulting
in a disaster declaration.
- Hazardous Materials: Along Interstate 29 many different hazardous
materials are transported. The tribe also completed a successful
dynamite removal project near Agency Village. 523 people were
evacuated from town to keep them safe from dynamite left over from the
1930’s.
- Tornadoes: Although the tribe reports little activity, tornadoes are
common in the area.
Past Disaster/FEMA Experience
The reservation was declared a disaster area after the 1996 winter storms
and the next spring’s heavy flooding declaration.
Emergency Management Capacity
The tribal representatives for the Environmental Protection Agency head
the emergency management efforts. An emergency management plan is
not currently in development, although the EPA has funded the development
of a HazMat emergency response plan. More coordination and team
training is needed, as well as more funding for more fire response capabilities.
Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe of the Lake Traverse
Reservation
P.O. Box 509
Agency Village, SD 57262
605-698-3911
Fax: 605-698-7907
Website: www.swcc.cc.sd.us
Sources: Tiller’s Guide to Indian Country, interviews
with tribal officials.
Return to the Region VIII Tribal Lands page
|
 |
