The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation holds a significant place in American history, deeply rooted in treaties, tribal sovereignty, and the enduring spirit of the Sioux Nation. Originally part of the vast Great Sioux Reservation, its story is one of both resilience and the challenges faced by Native American tribes in the United States.
Established from the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868, the Great Sioux Reservation encompassed a large territory, including present-day South Dakota west of the Missouri River and the sacred Black Hills. Article 2 of this treaty defined its expansive boundaries, stretching from the 46th parallel north latitude to the east bank of the Missouri River, southward to the Nebraska line, and westward to the 104th parallel west longitude. This treaty, a landmark agreement between the U.S. Government and the Sioux Nation, also granted off-reservation hunting rights across a wider area and stipulated that any land cession required the consent of three-fourths of adult Sioux males.
However, the promises of the treaty were quickly undermined. In 1877, the U.S. Congress unilaterally passed an act removing the Black Hills from the Great Sioux Reservation, disregarding the treaty’s requirement for Sioux consent. This act, deemed a “dishonorable dealing” by the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Sioux Nation of Indians (1980), marked a significant breach of trust and the beginning of further land reductions.
Despite these challenges, the Standing Rock Agency was established in 1873 at Fort Yates, solidifying a governmental presence within the reservation. An Executive Order in 1875 further defined the northern boundary, extending it to the Cannon Ball River.
The formal establishment of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation as a distinct entity occurred through the Act of March 2, 1889. This act divided the Great Sioux Reservation into six smaller reservations, including Standing Rock. The boundaries set in this 1889 act remain the current boundaries of the Standing Rock Reservation, located across parts of North and South Dakota.
Governance within the Standing Rock Reservation is structured around a constitution approved in 1959. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe operates with a Tribal Council consisting of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and fourteen council members. These leaders, elected by tribal members, serve four-year terms and are responsible for the administration and leadership of the tribe. The Tribal Council meetings are held regularly, reflecting a commitment to ongoing governance and tribal affairs management.
As a sovereign nation, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe upholds its right to self-government. This sovereignty is asserted in their government-to-government relationship with both state and federal entities. The tribe emphasizes the treaties of 1851 and 1868 as foundational documents that established the original Great Sioux Nation boundaries and continue to define their rights today.
The Dawes Act, also known as the Allotment Act of 1889, further impacted the Standing Rock Reservation by opening reservation lands to non-Native American settlement. This led to a “checkerboard” pattern of land ownership within the reservation, creating jurisdictional complexities. Despite this, the tribe maintains jurisdiction over all reservation lands, including rights-of-way and waterways, leading to ongoing legal disputes, as highlighted in cases like Nevada vs Hicks. These jurisdictional issues form part of a complex interplay between federal, state, and tribal governments.
The people of Standing Rock are members of the Dakota and Lakota nations, branches of the larger Sioux Nation. “Dakota” and “Lakota” translate to “friends” or “allies,” while “Sioux” is a term derived from the Ojibwa word for “adders,” later adapted by French traders. Within Standing Rock, the Dakota people include the Upper Yanktonai (Ihanktonwana) and Lower Yanktonai (Hunkpatina). Historically, the Yanktonai engaged with riverine tribes and adopted some of their practices while maintaining their buffalo-centric lifestyle. Today, Yanktonai communities are primarily located in the North Dakota portion of the reservation.
The Lakota division at Standing Rock includes the Hunkpapa and Sihasapa (Blackfeet) bands. By the 19th century, the Lakota had become nomadic Plains people, heavily reliant on horses and buffalo. The Hunkpapa and Sihasapa traditionally occupied the area between the Cheyenne and Heart Rivers. Currently, Lakota communities within Standing Rock are mainly situated in the South Dakota section of the reservation.
In conclusion, the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation stands as a testament to the history, resilience, and ongoing sovereignty of the Sioux Nation. Its story is marked by treaty agreements, land dispossession, and continuous efforts to maintain self-governance and cultural identity. The Standing Rock Reservation remains a vital center for the Dakota and Lakota people, carrying forward a legacy deeply connected to the land and their rich cultural heritage.
