Who / What
The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is a Native American reservation located in the United States. It is controlled by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and inhabited by multiple bands of Lakota and Dakota people. The reservation is one of the largest in the US by land area.
Background & History
The Standing Rock Reservation straddles the border between North and South Dakota. It is home to various bands of Lakota Oyate (including Hunkpapa and Sihasapa) and Dakota Oyate (Ihunktuwona, Pabaksa, and Hunkpatina). The Ihanktonwana Dakota are part of the Upper Yanktonai, collectively known as Wiciyena. Its history is deeply intertwined with the displacement and resilience of Native American tribes in the United States.
Why Notable
The Standing Rock Reservation holds significance as the sixth-largest Native American reservation in the US by land area. It represents a vital cultural and historical site for the Lakota and Dakota people. The reservation has been at the center of important movements regarding tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
In the News
The Standing Rock Reservation gained national attention in 2016 due to protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. These protests highlighted ongoing concerns about environmental protection and the rights of Native American tribes. The events at Standing Rock brought renewed focus to issues of Indigenous sovereignty and federal oversight.
