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Mni Wiconi

The Sicangu Lakota have always known the invaluable cultural and spiritual qualities of water.  Tribal Elders recognized the importance of pure drinking water to a healthy society and the preservation of the Lakota lifestyle.  This respect for the water's life giving and healing properties was demonstrated by camping on head waters, or near springs.  This provided the people with quality water for drinking and ceremonial uses.  The ceremonial uses, as well as the stories of creation and WIWILAS, the guardians of water, confirm the spiritual relationships between the Sicangu Oyate and water.  The respect for water is alive and well as the Rosebud Sioux Tribe works to bring quality water to the people of the Rosebud Reservation.

The Mni Wiconi Project consists of three Tribal entities and one non-tribal entity. Due to the size of the project which includes three Indian reservations, the federal government plays a vital role.  The Tribe utilizes P.L. 93-638 cooperative agreements to plan, design, construct, operate and maintain their water systems.  The Rosebud Sioux Tribe has entered into cooperative agreements with the Bureau of Reclamation (the lead federal agency) for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Sicangu Mni Wiconi Rosebud Rural Water Systems.

At first the Mni Wiconi Project did not include Rosebud as a result of hard work by the Tribe, the Rosebud Sioux Rural Water System was added to the Mni Wiconi Project by Congress in 1994 as was the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.  The rural water system was authorized by Congress to meet the health, economic and environmental needs of a large portion of western South Dakota.  The project will bring quality water to three Indian reservations and a large non-tribal rural water district (West River Lyman-Jones).  A "core" system operated by the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System (OSRWSS) located in Ft. Pierre, SD processes and distributes surface water from the Missouri River to four (4) rural water systems spanning across nine (9) different counties.  The Rosebud Sioux Rural Water System serves as the main entity responsible for the operations and maintenance in Mellette and Todd counties.

Currently the Rosebud Rural Water System is approximately 70% complete and by the time of completions will have constructed over 400 miles of new pipeline with the primary service area located in Mellette and Todd Counties.  In addition to the primary service area a secondary service area in Tripp and Gregory Counties provides essential water to several tribal communities and members.  The secondary service areas are currently supplied water by the Tripp County Water User District (TCWUD) System under cooperative agreements executed under P.L. 93-638.

Many people have often asked why treated surface water is being brought to Rosebud when we already have some of the best water available.  The Rosebud System is being planned for the future (around the year 2020) and we all know that things will change between now and then.  Some of those changes could affect our water needs and how we are able to meet those needs.  For example:

By using a combination of groundwater and surface water, the chances are much greater that there will always be a excellent viable water source available.  The connection with the OSRWSS should be thought of as an insurance policy.  Two sources of supply insure that there will be always be at least one source of high quality water available to meet the needs of the Rosebud people.  In using a combination of surface water and groundwater we are ensured that we can meet the demands of residential and commercial users.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe will continue to use P.L.93-638 to perform most of the work on the project.  The Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council is responsible for the Mni Wiconi Project and relies strongly on the recommendations of the Land and Natural Resources Committee and the Elderly Advisory Committee.  The day to day activities involving planning, design and construction are completed by the Office of Water Resources and the Rosebud Water and Sewer Commission.

The Mni Wiconi Water Project has brought more than just quality water to the Reservation.  The Tribe is utilizing the project to develop employment opportunities for tribal members who are working at various capacities in the following areas:

If you would like more information on the Sicangu Mni Wiconi Rosebud Rural Water Project please feel free to contact the Office of Water Resources at (605) 747-2559 or the Rosebud Water Commission at (605) 747-2378.