Rosebud Indian Reservation

The Rosebud Indian Reservation is a territory spanning five counties in South Dakota, home to the Sicangu Oyate people. The town of Rosebud serves as the administrative hub, with the broader area containing residential communities, businesses, schools, and open land.

The reservation was established in 1889 following the division of the Great Sioux Reservation, which itself stemmed from the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868. This founding moment reshaped the Sicangu Oyate's relationship with federal authority and their management of ancestral lands.

The Sicangu Oyate, also known as the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, practice Lakota traditions through ceremonies and gatherings that are woven into the rhythm of community life. These living customs shape how residents connect with each other and their land.

Visiting the reservation requires respect for private property and boundary markers, as much of the land is residential or protected. Travelers should plan ahead and check locally about which areas are open to visitors and what guidelines apply.

In 2020, the Jesuit religious order returned 525 acres to the people, land that had been held for religious purposes. This return represented a significant step in the ongoing process of land restitution and territorial restoration.

Location: Todd County

Location: Mellette County

Location: Tripp County

Location: Gregory County

Location: Lyman County

Inception: 1889

Capital city: Rosebud

Shares border with: Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Website: http://rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov

GPS coordinates: 43.29444,-100.65611

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:29