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South Dakota Department of
Tribal Relations
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Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

Tribal Map

Reservation: Cheyenne River Reservation; Dewey and Ziebach Counties.

Division: Lakota

Bands: Minnecoujou, Two Kettle (Oohenunpa), Sans Arc (Itazipco) and Blackfoot (Si Sapa)

Trust Land Base: 1,450,644 acres

Tribal Headquarters: Eagle Butte, SD

Time Zone: Mountain

Traditional Language: Lakota

Total Population: 8,594

Estimated Tribal Enrollment: 15,993

Major Employers: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe 2019 Statistical Profile

Cheyenne River Constitution
Current Tribal Leaders
Charter: None
Constitution and Bylaws: Yes - IRA
Date Approved: December 17, 1935
Name of Governing Body: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council
Number of Council members: (15) fifteen council members
Dates of Constitutional amendments: February 11, 1966, June 18, 1980, July 17, 1992
Number of Executive Officers: (4) Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer

Executive Committee Positions with the exception of Vice-Chair are elected at-large for 4 year terms.

The Vice-Chair is appointed from the Council to serve a 2 year term.

Council Representatives represent six districts, with the number of representatives determined by population.

Council Representatives serve 4 year terms and elections are staggered every 2 years.

Primary Elections take place during August, and General Elections follow in September.

Number of Election districts or communities: 13

Meetings held: The first Tuesday of each month

Quorum number: 2/3 of the members

Tribal College:
Cheyenne River College Center, Eagle Butte, SD

Radio:
KIPI 93.5 FM, Eagle Butte, SD
KLNM 89.5 FM, McLaughlin, SD

Newspapers:
Eagle Butte News, Eagle Butte, SD; West River Progress, Dupree, SD

Big Foot, a Minnecoujou chief, remained true to the "old ways" throughout his life. He was regarded as a wise leader, who respected the individual rights of his people. Big Foot, who had settled on the Cheyenne River Reservation, was killed during the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre. He died under the white flag of truce.

Arvol Looking Horse is a 19th generation keeper of the Sacred Pipe of the Great Sioux Nation. In this position, he cares for the Sacred Pipe, presented by the White Buffalo Calf Woman many years ago. Looking Horse leads the annual "Sacred Pipestone Run," the purpose of which is to stop the sale of sacred pipestone. He holds an honorary doctoral degree from the University of South Dakota.

Tribal Flag

Tribal Website
Chairman: Ryman LeBeau
PO Box 590
Eagle Butte, SD 57625-0590
Phone: (605) 964-4155
Fax: (605) 964-4151