All Nine #SouthDakota Tribes Pass Resolutions Supporting Developing Legislation To Return #FederalLands: #LakotaNation United in Effort for #BlackHills Federal Lands Return

By NDN Collective • June 9, 2026

Rapid City, SD –"All nine South Dakota Tribes have voted to move forward on developing legislation to return federal lands in the Black Hills to the #GreatSiouxNation – a historic display of Tribal unity and momentum around efforts to protect the Black Hills.

"At a recent tribal council meeting, the #CheyenneRiverSioux Tribe passed a resolution to move forward on working together to protect sacred sites, clean drinking water, and ensure better land management through the development of legislation to return federal lands in the Black Hills to the Great Sioux Nation.

"The proposal — which is still in early draft form — aims to return federal lands in the Black Hills back to the #OcetiSakowin, providing a framework for land return and management. The proposal does not involve privately owned lands, and it does not settle or involve claims by the Great Sioux Nation regarding the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty.

"Right now, there are 8,800 active #mining claims in South Dakota – about 17 percent of the entire Black Hills. The legal strategy would protect the Black Hills from all #ExtractiveActivities and preserve clean drinking water for all.

"#Indigenous organizations, elders, grassroots leaders, and community members have been organizing and providing support around proposed legislation since 2020, helping Tribal leaders prioritize this proposal as a critical way to protect drinking water for the region, preserve sacred sites, revitalize culture and land, strengthen sovereignty, bolster community wellbeing, and support jobs and economic development.

" 'The Oceti Sakowin people are coming together to claim the land that is rightfully and legally owed to us,' said #MadonnaThunderHawk, Cheyenne River Sioux elder. 'We are here to say, loud and clear, that the Black Hills are not for sale. We love our land, and will continue defending it – from Pe’ Sla to #CravenCanyon and beyond.”

“#CrazyHorse set the bar on how to move as Indigenous people, and how important it is to defend the Black Hills,” said Joseph Brings Plenty Sr., District 5 Council Representative for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. 'Together, we are strong – we need to be stronger than ever because we are fighting for an existence on our very own land.' "

Read more:
https://ndncollective.org/all-nine-south-dakota-tribes-pass-resolutions-supporting-developing-legislation-to-return-federal-lands/

#LandBack #IndigenousNews #NativeAmericanNews #USPol #PeSla #NoMining #WaterIsLife
#InTheSpiritOfCrazyHorse

Victory for #Lakota Youths Protecting Sacred #PeSla

Company withdraws from controversial Black Hills exploratory drilling project

"We stopped the drilling, this is a victory for the #OcetiSakowin," Lakota youths said as the drilling rig drove out of #SacredLand.

By Seth Tupper, May 8, 2026 via @bsnorrell.blogspot.com

"A company that’s being sued for exploratory drilling near a culturally significant site in South Dakota’s Black Hills is withdrawing from the project, according to a letter shared with project opponents.

"The opponents include the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, which posted a copy of the letter and a statement Friday on social media.

" 'This is a testament to the people, organizations, and tribal governments who showed unified action, determination, and courage in the face of what seemed to be overwhelming odds,' the alliance said.

"The letter from Pete Lien & Sons to the U.S. Forest Service references the #RapidCity-based company’s project near Pe’ Sla, also known as #ReynoldsPrairie, which is a high mountain meadow in the central #BlackHills. "

Source:
https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2026/05/victory-for-lakota-youths-protecting.html

Read more:
https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/05/08/company-withdraws-from-controversial-black-hills-exploratory-drilling-project/

#IndigenousResistance #ProtectTheSacred #LakotaYouths #BlackHillsCleanWaterAlliance