Updated July 1, 2025
Prepared by our Lakota Advocacy Center Initiative, Native Notes is a monthly newsletter on new and proposed policies impacting Indian Country. Sign up for our newsletter to have these updates delivered direct to your inbox!
Preserve land for Wounded Knee memorial
US House Bill 165: Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Legislative Watch
HR 165 passed the House unanimously on January 22, 2025, and was reported favorably by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on March 5. It now awaits full Senate consideration.
No vote is scheduled yet. Join our email list to stay up to date with this measure.
This measure would place 40 acres near Wounded Knee in restricted fee status and recognize the Cheyenne River Sioux and Oglala Sioux Tribes as stewards of the land. If passed, the sacred lands will have more protection from building or other intrusions. One thing to consider, if the Tribes were to change the land from restricted fee status, or designate it for other uses, they would need the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.
If this bill is signed into law, it would ensure that our people are the final decision makers over what happens to this land. With this legal protection, we will honor the legacy of our ancestors and ensure that their memory is carried forward to future generations.
Provide SD students oceti sakowin curriculum and classtime
SD Senate bill 196: Incorporate Oceti Sakowin essential understandings in public school curriculum
this bill was rejected by our state legislators, harming local youth
SB 196 would have required public schools to teach in-depth curriculum about the Oċeti Ṡak̄owiŋ (L/D/Nakota nations). Providing this education would have ensured that all South Dakota Students learn about the history, culture, and governance of Oċeti Ṡak̄owiŋ.
Culturally informed curricula like this contributes to higher self esteem for Indigenous children and better understandings of the diversity of our homelands for all students.
Lakota students benefit from cultural education and visibility, and all students benefit from learning about our land and its traditional stewards.
Require Indian Studies for SD Teachers
SD House Bill 1002: An Act to require that all certified educators take a course in south dakota indian studies
signed into law on february 19, 2025 this act ensures teachers have a basic understanding of indigenous peoples in sd
HB 1002 requires all certified teachers in South Dakota to complete a course in South Dakota Indian Studies to obtain or renew their teaching license. This means that whether a teacher is newly certified or renewing after years in the classroom, they must complete this course.
By ensuring that every teacher receives this foundational knowledge, the law helps create classrooms where Indigenous students feel seen and all students benefit from a more accurate understanding of Native communities.
Native Notes
Native Notes is a new project from our Lakota Advocacy Center. We want to empower our relatives to better understand legislation impacting our communities. We believe these newsletters will help new and established community organizers identify and pursue policy change based on our shared values and our traditional teachings.
Wopila ṫaŋk̄a uŋk̄enic̄iyap̄i kṡt̄o (we thank each of you) for reading this!
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Meet the Lakota Advocacy Center Team:
DeCora Hawk
Lakota Advocacy Center Director
Isabella LeBeaux
Lakota Advocacy Center Coordinator
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