Tribal Affairs
More on Tribal Affairs
BIG Update
Public safety begins in our communities. Our police officers, firefighters, and emergency services personnel are on the frontlines every day to keep South Dakotans safe. This week, I toured the Public Safety Building in Lake Norden – an outstanding example of a community prioritizing safety and resilience. After their public safety building burned down in 2023, the people of Lake Norden came together to build a brand new facility that serves the entire region.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today issued the following statements after their Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act was signed into law by President Trump. The bipartisan legislation will accelerate the review and processing of mortgages on trust land by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) introduced the Parity for Tribal Educators Act to address teacher shortages in Indian country. The legislation would provide teachers at tribally controlled schools the same federal retirement benefits that teachers at Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools receive, ensuring tribal students have equal access to educational opportunity.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act, led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) passed the House with a 384-40 vote. Johnson’s bill advocates for homeownership and streamlines the approval process for mortgages on tribal trust land.
BIG Update
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) introduced legislation that strengthens firearm access for Indian country. The Tribal Firearm Access Act clarifies existing law to include tribal governments as eligible entities to issue identification documents for the purposes of obtaining a firearm.
BIG Update
Homeownership is the bedrock of the American Dream but has become out of reach for many individuals and families. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is only creating more obstacles to reach that goal for those living on South Dakota’s reservations.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act, led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) passed the House Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent. Johnson’s bill advocates for homeownership and streamlines the approval process for mortgages on tribal trust land.
BIG Update
My bill to protect the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre was signed into law. I’m thankful for the work of tribal leaders from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to preserve this land for generations to come and for the leadership of Senators Rounds and Thune who helped get this bill across the finish line.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, introduced by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), was signed into law by President Trump.