Government | Elections | Meetings | Education and Media | Leaders

Reservation: Cheyenne River Reservation; Dewey and Ziebach Counties
Division: Teton
Bands: Minnecoujou, Two Kettle (Oohenunpa), Sans Arc (Itazipco) and Blackfoot (Si Sapa)
Land Area: 1.4 million acres
Tribal Headquarters: Eagle Butte, SD
Time Zone: Mountain
Traditional Language: Lakota
Enrolled members living on reservation: 8,000
Major Employers: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Statistics

Government:
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

Elections:
Primary election is the second Tuesday of August and General is first Tuesday in November (coincides with National Elections)
The Tribal Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected at large for 4 year terms. The Vice- Chairman is elected from the Council membership for a 2-year term. Council members are elected from each district every two years.
Terms of office are staggered, every two years an election for Council members is held.
Number of Election districts or communities: 13

Meetings:
Meetings held: The first Tuesday of each month
Quorum number: 2/3 of the members

Education and Media:
Tribal College: Cheyenne River Community College, Eagle Butte, SD
Radio: KLNM 89.5 FM, McLaughlin, SD
Newspapers: Eagle Butte News, Eagle Butte, SD; West River Progress, Dupree, SD

Leaders: Past and Present
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.

Chairman: Joseph Brings Plenty
PO Box 590
Eagle Butte, SD 57625-0590
Phone (605) 964-4155
Fax (605) 964-4151

View Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Constitution (PDF)
Visit the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Web site

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Planning Office
P.O. Box 590
Eagle Butte, SD 57625
Phone (605) 964-4000
Fax (605) 964-1180

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