Congressional delegation backs disaster request from South Dakota tribes

South Dakota Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune and U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson have sent letters of support to President Joe Biden regarding the major disaster declaration requests from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

If approved, it would speed recovery efforts from significant blizzards that occurred from December 12 to December 26, 2022.

The letters say tribal officials responded to the storms using resources immediately available to them. Despite these efforts, a number of tribal members remained trapped in their homes and were unable to access necessary supplies.

The Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations received up to three feet of snow with drifts up to 20 feet high. Hundreds of families were unable to access critical supplies, including medications and propane and firewood.

January 30, 2023