Lake Traverse Indian Reservation
The Lake Traverse Indian Reservation is the homeland of the federally recognized Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, a branch of the Santee Dakota group of Native Americans. Most of the reservation covers parts of five counties in northeastern South Dakota, while smaller parts are in two counties in southeastern North Dakota, United States. Its largest community is the city of Sisseton, South Dakota.
Lake Traverse Indian Reservation
- Name
- Lake Traverse Indian Reservation
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Documentary summary
The Lake Traverse Indian Reservation is the homeland of the federally recognized Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, a branch of the Santee Dakota group of Native Americans. Most of the reservation covers parts of five counties in northeastern South Dakota, while smaller parts are in two counties in southeastern North Dakota, United States. Its largest community is the city of Sisseton, South Dakota.
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Lake Traverse Indian Reservation • Type — Indian reservation • Subdivision Type — Tribe • Subdivision Name — Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate • Subdivision Type1 — Country • Subdivision Name1 — United States • Subdivision Type2 — States • Subdivision Name2 — North Dakota South Dakota • Subdivision Type3 — Counties • Subdivision Name3 — Richland Sargent Codington Day Grant Marshall Roberts • Seat Type — Headquarters • Seat — Agency Village • Governing Body — Tribal Council • Leader Title — Chairman • Leader Name — J. Garret Renville • Leader Title1 — Vice-Chairman • Leader Name1 — Lexie Fancher-Lincoln • Leader Title2 — Secretary • Leader Name2 — Curtis Bissonette • Unit Pref — US • Population As Of — 2024 • Population Total — 14800 • Population Density Sq Mi — auto • Website — swo-nsn.gov
History
History
The reservation was created by treaty on April 22, 1867 A.D. and called the Flatiron Reservation, in reference to its triangular shape. It was created for the "friendly Dakota" from the Minnesota hostilities of 1862-1866. Signatories of the treaty were Gabriel Renville, John Otherday, and twenty-one other Sisseton and Wahpeton leaders. Gabriel Renville was the first chief of the reservation.
Geography
Geography
The reservation covers 108,589 acres. Over 60% of its land area lies in Roberts County, South Dakota, but there are lesser amounts in Marshall, Day, Grant and Codington counties in South Dakota, as well as Sargent and Richland counties in North Dakota.
Government
Government
The reservation is governed by a seven-member council, one member elected from each district: Big Coulee (Iyakapta), Buffalo Lake (Can Onasa Bde), Enemy Swim (Toka Nuwan), Lake Traverse (Bde hda Kinyan), Long Hollow (Kaksize Hanska), Old Agency (Ate Yapi Tipi), and Veblen (Heipa). Councilmembers serve two-year terms. The executive committee comprises a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. The tribal headquarters are located in Agency Village, South Dakota.
Economy
Economy
Major employers include the Dakota Sioux Casino, the Sisseton Wahpeton tribal government, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Education and media
Education and media
Sisseton-Wahpeton College was established in Agency Village in 1979. The newspaper Sota Iya Ye Yapi ("smoke signals") is published weekly.
Notable people
Notable people
• Woodrow W. Keeble (1917–1982), U.S. Army Medal of Honor recipient • Gabriel Renville (1824–1892), chief • Paul War Cloud (1930–1973), artist • Floyd Westerman (1936–2007), country singer and actor
Communities
Communities
• Agency Village, South Dakota • Claire City, South Dakota • Goodwill, South Dakota • Lake City, South Dakota (most, population 46) • Long Hollow, South Dakota • New Effington, South Dakota • Ortley, South Dakota • Peever, South Dakota • Rosholt, South Dakota • Sisseton, South Dakota • Summit, South Dakota • Veblen, South Dakota • Waubay, South Dakota (part, population 15)
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The people, houses and objects recorded in connection with this place.
Born at
1- Floyd Red Crow WestermanPerson
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 27 September 2026.
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