LA PLANT, S.D. -- South Dakota has struggled to establish a network of foster parents in tribal communities, but solutions are in play, including a space where Indigenous children can feel as close to home as possible.

Over the years, South Dakota has been criticized for often placing Indigenous children with white families through aggressive custody hearing, inspiring outreach efforts to recruit foster parents in tribal areas.

Marcella Gilbert, a Lakota and Dakota community organizer on the Cheyenne River Reservation, works with the nonprofit Simply Smiles, which has been building homes for local kids in need of care.

She stressed the importance of giving kids a professional and nurturing support system, even when they turn 18.

"It isn't like, 'Okay, you're done. See you,'" Gilbert asserted. "It's like, 'Okay, let's talk about what you want to do here. Do you want to go to college? Do you want to go to job training? You know, what do you want to do? We'll help you do that.'"

Gilbert pointed out because the foster-care system is not aligned with Native American culture, the homes allow kids to maintain their identity.

Prospective foster parents are trained to care for the kids through therapy and other standard practices.

Gilbert explained only six homes are being built, so the occupants don't feel like they're in a residential setting. So far, three are finished.

Alex Gross, communications manager for Simply Smiles, said by offering an environment steeped in Lakota traditions, kids are likely to have a greater sense of belonging, even if they've dealt with trauma in the past.

"We are doing everything to make sure that they remain with their kin and community," Gross stated. "That includes working with a team of Lakota elders. We call them the 'grandmothers group.'"

Simply Smiles urged local families interested in becoming trained foster parents to visit the group's website.

Statewide, the Department of Social Services has launched a campaign to recruit more foster families in tribal areas.

Laurie Gill, South Dakota Secretary of Social Services, sees hope in reaching their goal of 300.

"We have met 42% of our first-year goal, and we launched this in May," Gill emphasized. "So, we're very pleased with the progress."

By LaVerne Whitebear for Arts Midwest.
Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collaboration

“Traditional games comprise the foundation of who we are as a people,” said Jeremy Red Eagle.

Red Eagle, ‘Mato Zi,’ is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, located in North and South Dakota. In 2007, he began studying and working with the International Traditional Games Society. They are dedicated individuals working to recover, restore, and re-introduce games developed by Indigenous nations in North America.

“I wanted to work with Native youth because they are the future, and I wanted to do my part,” he said. His focus has been the origin and history of Plains Style archery and lacrosse and of the Dakota people, and how he can guide the transference of this knowledge to both young and old.

“The best way I could think of ‘how’ was to meet them [the youth] on their level, by utilizing play-based learning programs or traditional games—the Indigenous form of education,” added Red Eagle. 

However, the lack of information on traditional ways has posed difficulties. Due to the late 1800’s assimilation of the Dakota people and the boarding school era, much of the first-hand knowledge has been lost. And documentation is limited. 

Research has been key in this revitalization process. Various Dakota elders have shared some oral history. Visits to museums have provided a wealth of visual information. These include stylistic, geographical, functionality, and elemental distinctions used by various tribes throughout North America. 

“The way a bow is made is true beauty. The design elements we incorporate tell their own stories. How cool is that!” he said. 

Still, there is much to learn.

The purpose of traditional games was based on the continued life and survival of Indigenous nations. They were introduced to members at a young age. Red Eagle shared that some tribes even presented their infants with lacrosse sticks upon the celebration of their birth—exemplifying their cultural importance. 

Plains Style traditional games have classifications such as ‘games of chance and intuition’ and ‘games of skill and agility/endurance.’ Individual games are said to awaken and strengthen inherent human senses, increasing one’s chances of survival.

The use of Indigenous language plays a key role in learning and sharing mechanics of these games. It infuses a deeper meaning of their importance to dakod wichohan or the Dakota way of life. 

Red Eagle has studied and acquired the Dakota language as a second-language speaker. He uses it as part of his traditional games teaching method in hopes of its parallel revitalization. 

His families’ relocation to South Dakota in 2014 coincided with his first attempt in introducing traditional games on a larger scale. The formation of a lacrosse team, Susbeca Lacrosse, included young members from his home district, Enemy Swim or Toka Nuwan. Red Eagle took this as a chance to coach the team using his knowledge of the Dakota language.

Today, through local Native non-profit Nis’to Incorporated and other partnerships, youth of all ages practice lacrosse and archery weekly, hosted by the Sisseton-Wahpeton College. And Red Eagle is often present at these gatherings. He guides participants in the “rules” of play or in making “equipment” for traditional games from natural materials he has collected.

“Everything we need to make these games (happen) can be found right on the land we call home,” he said. 

The history of these games reminds us of the connection between language, culture, history, and land. They can reconnect Indigenous populations and people, in general, with the natural world. Most importantly, they bring communities together. 


LaVerne Whitebear wrote this story for Arts Midwest.


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This week, more than 100 Californians are in Cali, Columbia, for the 16th United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity.

Tribes, policymakers and conservation groups are promoting national monument status for three sites in the Golden State.

Lena Ortega, a Kw'tsán cultural committee member for the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, wants federal protection for the proposed Kw'tsán National Monument in Imperial County.

"The movement to save the environment isn't a choice for us," Ortega explained. "It's a matter of survival and our past healings are intertwined with that of Mother Earth. We are the land. The land is us."

California has already lost more than 20% of its native species and more than 600 species are considered threatened with extinction.

Asm. Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, said California is working hard to achieve the goal to protect 30% of state and federal land and waters by the year 2030.

"California is home to more native plants, animals, and more invasive species, than any other state," Haney pointed out.

Brandy McDaniels, Sáttítla National Monument Campaign lead for the Pit River Tribe, said time is running out for the administration to declare the Sáttítla National Monument in northeastern California.

"With less than three months left in President Biden's term, now is the time for the president to use his authority by designating Sattitla as a national monument for all future generations," McDaniels urged.

Tribes are also calling for a new Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California near Joshua Tree National Park.


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Oral arguments were heard this week in a legal fight over redistricting outcomes for North Dakota tribal lands.

About a year ago, North Dakota was ordered to adopt a new legislative map after the Spirit Lake Tribe and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, along with some individual voters, filed a lawsuit. They claimed the original map, updated after the 2020 census, illegally diluted Native American voting rights.

Samantha Blencke, senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, said they are now trying to defend redistricting victories in the appeals process, as state leaders push back on recent developments.

"I think the big point here is these are extreme arguments, they go against decades and decades of precedent," Blencke asserted.

The arguments to which she refers are from the North Dakota Secretary of State's office. In its appeal of the decision to order new political boundaries, it contended private citizens cannot pursue legal action under certain sections of the Voting Rights Act. The state argued its efforts did not violate federal law. Blencke anticipates a decision fairly soon but stressed the legal proceedings have no effect on this fall's election.

However, Blencke pointed out a favorable ruling for the state could affect future elections.

"The Legislature could adopt a new remedial map and propose that to the district court to review, to see if it also remedies the vote dilution," Blencke explained.

But legal groups assisting the tribes do not want to reach that point and would prefer to stick with the court-ordered map. According to the Native American Rights Fund, the 2020 census showed the number of Native voters in North Dakota grew to nearly 6% of the state's voting-age population but added the legislature adopted a district map reducing the number of candidates Native voters could elect in the northeastern part of the state.