Sisseton Wahpeton Chairman gives State of the Tribes address [Video]

PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – On Wednesday, tribal leaders gathered at the State House Chambers for the 2025 State of the Tribes.

Sisseton Wahpeton Chairman J. Garrett Renville delivered a message centered around right now being the time for change.

In his address, Chairman Renville acknowledged that the relationship between the tribes and the state has been, to say the least, imperfect.

“Legislation that impacts our tribal budgets, statements on our parents, engagement on education, to claims that our tribal leaders are involved in cartel activities have eroded the bonds that previous leaders worked so hard to rebuild,” Renville explained.

Renville also recognized the political opportunity South Dakota has moving forward.

With Thune and likely Noem to take on DC, communication with the Department of Justice could open up and the Tribal Relations Committee could continue to try to bridge the gap between the state and the nine tribes.

There’s momentum for the tribes.

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