Which tribes in South Dakota are holding elections for leadership positions in 2026.
One tribe in South Dakota will see a major change in its government leadership this year as longtime Flandreau Santee Sioux tribal president Anthony Reider did not file a petition for re-election. He has served in the role for 16 years.
The tribe's primary election, which included the president as well as tribal secretary and two trustee positions, took place on June 15.
Ryan L. Kills-A-Hundred, who serves as the current tribal secretary, current trustee David Ross and Gabriel Weston sought to advance to the general election for president in August. The top two candidates from the primary election advanced.
Get South Dakota news and information in a free email on weekdays. Cancel any time.
Though Reider did not seek re-election for president, he did file a petition to run for a trustee seat, where he challenged Kenneth Weston and Elizabeth Fisherman.
Other seats up for election were for tribal secretary and for another trustee, where five candidates ran for each spot.
A tribal spokesperson said in an email that the tribe does not release results publicly.
It's one of several tribal elections scheduled for this year across nine tribal nations in the state.
Lengkeek re-elected for Crow Creek
On April 16, the chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe was re-elected in the first of this year's tribal elections in South Dakota.
Peter Lengkeek, who has served the central South Dakota tribe in the role since 2020, will serve 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
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.
Besides Crow Creek and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, which holds its general election in August, here are other tribes holding elections this year.
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 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.
Partner with South Dakota News Watch and support fact-based news and information.
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.
