Indigenous

News Watch to host panel discussion March 3 on proposed Native-focused charter schools in S.D.

Use this link to register to listen live to the March 3 Native education panel Click THIS LINK to be taken to a web page where you can sign up to watch the March 3 panel discussion live. South Dakota News Watch is convening a panel of experts for an

Improving education top goal of Native American agenda in 2022 South Dakota legislative session

One way to understand which issues are most important to the South Dakota Native American community — the state’s largest minority group — is to examine the bills that are filed each legislative session by the handful of Native lawmakers serving in statewide office. This year, about three dozen bills were

Bills would allow South Dakota Native Americans to hunt, fish and visit state parks for free

Native Americans from South Dakota would be able to hunt or fish anywhere in the state for free and visit or camp in state parks without paying fees under two bills under consideration by the state Legislature. House Bill 1141 would allow enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe

Special report part 2: Daycare shortage especially hard on parents in rural and reservation communities

While waiting lists for child care are common in cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, it can be impossible to find any child care options in rural and reservation communities in South Dakota. According to a recent report by South Dakota Kids Count, a non-profit data center, seven counties

Home heating costs high and getting higher in South Dakota

Many South Dakota consumers already facing high prices for gasoline and groceries should also expect to pay far more to heat their homes this winter, with prices for propane and heating oil already far higher than last year and rising fast. Some experts worry the high prices could push some

South Dakotans overwhelmingly support teaching of Native American history and culture in public schools

South Dakota education officials have struggled to revise social studies standards that include guidelines for teaching Native American history and culture, but a new poll suggests state residents are very firm in their support for inclusion of Native studies in public schools. The poll of 500 registered South Dakota voters

Native American leaders in S.D. keeping close eye on legislative redistricting

Native American voting-rights advocates are concerned that the voices of South Dakota’s largest minority group may be excluded from the redistricting process.