Indigenous

Despite legislative defeat, backers of Native education reform in SD will press forward

The latest setback in a bid to create state-funded Lakota immersion schools in South Dakota will not deter Native American educators from pursuing that vision in the future, according to one of the proposal’s key supporters. State Sen. Troy Heinert, D-Mission, expressed disappointment after the March 2 failure of

As Native students struggle in SD schools, a Lakota-immersion model emerges

For the third time in five years, Native American legislators and supporters of improving Native education in South Dakota have proposed legislation that would allow for creation of state-funded charter schools aimed at immersing students in Lakota Indian language, culture and history. And once again, the measure has failed in

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