The President of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe called for reconciliation between the state of South Dakota and the Sioux Nation governments during the 2026 State of the Tribes Address.
President Kathleen Wooden Knife began her speech Wednesday by looking back and recalling some of the darkest times in Lakota history.
“As you know, our Lakota people were subjected war and massacres as we sought to protect our homes,” Wooden Knife said.
She specifically acknowledged a law passed by South Dakota’s Congressional delegation, the Wounded Knee Memorial and Sacred Site Act. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law in December. The bill honors the hundreds of Lakota who were massacred by the U.S. Army in 1890.
Wooden Knife urged more collaboration between state government and the nine tribes located in South Dakota.
“We call upon the government and our state legislature to engage with our Sioux Nation Tribes on the basis of government-to-government relations with open, honest and respectful dialogue to find mutually beneficial solutions for shared concerns,” Wooden Knife said. “For our part, the Sioux Nation Tribes pledge to work with the state through respective government-to-government relations for the benefit of the Lakota people and all South Dakotans. Our tribal governments have important LIAP and SNAP agreements with the state. We should have quarterly meetings with the governor and the legislature. It’s time for us to join hands to work together to a brighter future for all our people and our next seven generations.”
She says the tribes look forward to future collaboration with the state. Wooden Knife mentioned many issues the Sioux Nations would like the state to work with the tribes on. That included welfare and equal education for Native children, help with public safety and tribal law enforcement, agriculture and job creation, water and infrastructure.
A major topic Wooden Knife addressed is the lack of Native health care access. She pointed to a lawsuit where the Rosebud Sioux Tribe sued the U.S. government for failure to provide proper healthcare after a tribal member gave birth on the bathroom floor of a waiting room.
“The federal courts ruled that the 1868 treaty mandates competent physician-led healthcare, and Rosebud and our other tribes continue to struggle to secure such care. As a result, our Lakota and Dakota people have the lowest life expectancy in America at 47 for men, 56 for women," Wooden Knife said. "In contrast nationwide, the life expectancy is 77-years among the general public, and 65 years among Native Americans throughout America. In short, the Sioux Nation Tribes need health education, better nutrition, community wellness and patient advocacy to traverse the health care system.”
That includes the Indian Managed Healthcare model under Medicaid. It could allow tribes to contract with the state of South Dakota to manage health care for Native people under Medicaid. The cost would be fully covered by the federal government due to a 100% Federal Match Assistance Program match on the program. A bill on the LRC’s website would establish a task force to look into the prospect.
