Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #321344
Title: Development of the renewal on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation Project

Author
item Hendrickson, John
item BLACK ELK, LINDA - Sitting Bull College
item FALLER, TIMOTHY - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Rangelands
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/17/2015
Publication Date: 2/29/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/63053
Citation: Hendrickson, J.R., Black Elk, L., Faller, T. 2016. Development of the renewal on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation Project. Rangelands. 38(1):1-2.

Interpretive Summary: The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is comprised of 2.3 million acres of primarily rangeland that straddle the North Dakota – South Dakota border. Many of its inhabitants face issues with unemployment and dietary problems. This paper focuses on describing a project that seeks to address these issues by developing a ‘natural’ meat industry to be based in the Standing Rock community. The project team sponsored a symposium held in Sacramento, CA that highlighted respectfulness among all parties, consideration of stakeholder needs in project development and key research findings. These presentations are now being included in a special issue of ‘Rangelands’ published by Society of Range Management.

Technical Abstract: The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is comprised of 2.3 million acres of primarily rangeland that straddle the North Dakota – South Dakota border. Many of its inhabitants face issues with unemployment and dietary problems. In addition, there are concerns about the management of its natural resources. Natural resource management is economically and culturally important to the Standing Rock community. In addition, respecting traditional ways of thinking and placing stakeholders and their needs at the center are key aspects of successful project development for the community. A series of projects were developed that focused on the three issues of unemployment, dietary health and natural resource management on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. This special issue of Rangelands focuses on these projects and also ways to improve them in the future. Native Americans were the original natural resource managers on our rangelands, and their thoughts and expertise can provide guidance to rangeland managers now and in the future.