The chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe has been re-elected in the first of several tribal elections scheduled this year in South Dakota.
Peter Lengkeek, who has served the central South Dakota tribe in the role since 2020, was reelected Thursday, Apr. 16, for another two-year term. He won with a vote of 545-349 over Albert “Buc” Fallis Sr.
The early portion of Lengkeek’s time in office was colored by ongoing tribal relations disputes with former Gov. Kristi Noem, who at one point was banned from all nine tribal nations in South Dakota, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lengkeek told News Watch in January that his experience working with state government officials was difficult in the beginning but had improved.
“I myself have always strived for a relationship with the state because we need them and they need us,” Lengkeek said. “The closer we can come together as state and tribes, the better off we’re going to be.”
In recent years, his leadership has been characterized by collaboration with state officials and agencies. The tribe is the only one in the state to sign a memorandum of understanding allowing the South Dakota Highway Patrol to assist tribal law enforcement.
Lengkeek said in January that he hopes to continue to help the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, as well as others in the area, develop economic and cultural sovereignty.
“The further away we get from the federal government, the better off we’re going to be,” Lengkeek said. “We’re developing things for our future generations. Tribes are coming together and they’re working on things that are going to make an immense impact within Indian country soon.”
Other tribal elections set for later this year
Several other tribes will also hold elections this year. Tribal elections do not follow the same schedule as local, state and federal elections but often see similar term lengths and limits. In all tribal elections in South Dakota, voters must be enrolled members of the tribe for the election in which they are voting.
Molly Wetsch
The Oglala Sioux Tribe will hold an election for its president and tribal council in November. Current president Frank Star Comes Out has served in the role since 2022, serving two two-year terms.
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe will hold elections for 10 of 24 total tribal council spots this year, but not for its highest positions. President and vice president terms are three years long, and current President Kathleen Wooden Knife was elected in 2024. Treasurer and secretary terms are two years long, and the most recent election for those positions was in 2025. Tribal council terms, divided into 20 total districts, are also three years long – the most recent election for the 10 spots now up for grabs took place in 2023.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe will also hold elections for its chairman and tribal council in November. Current chairman Ryman LeBeau was elected in 2022, ousting incumbent Harold Frazier, and is in the last year of a four-year term.
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe will see elections for its president, secretary and two trustee positions in August after a primary election in June. Current president Anthony Reider has served in the role since 2010.
The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, or Kul Wicasa Oyate, will have elections for its tribal council and chairman in September. The tribe elected its current chairman Boyd Gorneau in 2024. He previously served as chairman from 2016-2020.
The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate will host its election for tribal chairperson and other council positions later this year. Current chairman J. Garret Renville is serving his second term, which he was elected for in 2024.
The Yankton Sioux Tribe elected Chelaine Knudsen as its chairwoman for her first two-year term last October. The next election will be in September 2027.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe held its election for chairman last year, where Steve Sitting Bear was elected to his first four-year term and will not be up for re-election until 2029.
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South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Contact reporter/Report for America corps member Molly Wetsch: 605-531-7382/molly.wetsch@sdnewswatch.org.
