Lower Brule Indian Reservation - Tribal Infrastructure

Tribal Infrastructure

In 1963, the Big Bend dam on the Missouri River was completed. The operation of the dam caused flooding on the Lower Brute community and surrounding bottomlands in the heart of the reservation. The waters inundated miles of roadways and a significant amount of fertile farmland and destroyed most of the Reservation’s native trees, shrubs and medicinal plants. The federal government established the Lower Brule Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act in 1997 in compensation for the lands lost nearly 50 years before.In response to the Act the Tribe established the Infrastructure Development Authority, a committee of tribal members who oversee the Trust Fund and recommend action and expenditures to the Tribal Council. The Authority has been involved in the development of the Administration Building and Community Center located in Lower Brule. The Authority is also overseeing the construction of the Lower Brule Justice Center.

• ROADS

The Reservation has approximately 200 miles of roads. These include 107 miles of gravel roads, 65 miles of asphalt, 11 miles of graded dirt roads and 10 miles of unimproved roads.

• HOUSING

There are 392 residences on the reservation, 300 of them constructed with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds. The Lower Brule Housing Authority manages 228 of the homes. Only 36.8 percent of the units on the reservation are owner-occupied, compared to a State average of 68.2 percent. The housing market is very tight on the reservation with the majority of housing intended for low-income residents. The Tribe is planning to develop additional housing to meet the needs of Tribal residents who do not satisfy the low-income requirements.

• ELECTRICITY

The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe is a member of the West Central Rural Electric Cooperative. The majority of tribal members are also Cooperative members, as it is the major electricity provider in west central South Dakota.

• FUEL

The Tribe operates a propane company and serves all residences within the reservation, as well as areas adjacent to the reservation. Unleaded and diesel gasoline are available at the local gas station. Fuel oil is available from the nearest Fanners Union in Reliance, South Dakota (15 miles).

• WATER SUPPLY

The Lake Sharpe Reservoir serves as a virtually unlimited water source for the Lower Brule community. The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe's Rural Water System (RWSS) supplies clean water to the communities of Lower Brule and West Brule for both domestic and agricultural use. This system is a part of the Mni Wiconi Water Project, authorized to provide water for the Pine Ridge Reservation, Rosebud Reservation, Lower Brule Reservation and counties located in west central South Dakota.

• SOLID WASTE

The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, in coordination with the Indian Health Service, operates a solid waste collection and transfer facility. The Solid Waste Program gathers all solid waste from receptacles located throughout the reservation. All solid waste is disposed in approved landfill facilities in Pierre, South Dakota, and Pukwana, South Dakota.

• SEWAGE DISPOSAL AND TREATMENT

The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, in coordination with the Indian Health Service, operates a sewage disposal and treatment system for the towns of Lower Brule and West Brule. The major treatment for wastewater is evaporation and settling in evaporation and settling ponds in two lagoon areas; the system uses limited aeration.

• TRANSPORTATION

Commercial airline, freight, and train services are available in Pierre, South Dakota . The town of Chamberlain provides the nearest landing strip and bus service. Truck service is available locally, and most retail businesses on the reservation receive service from suppliers in distributor-owned trucks. There are charter buses and limousines serving patrons of the Golden Buffalo Casino, and Greyhound Bus terminals are located in Chamberlain and Pierre. River City Transit runs a daily bus/van transportation service between Lower Brule and Pierre.

• TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Local telephone service is furnished by the Golden West Telephone Company as well as various cell phone providers. Internet services are available through Golden West and the West Central Rural Electric Cooperative.

• COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Lower Brule has an Elderly Center that provides an elderly nutrition program and other activities and a Teen Center that sponsors youth recreational activities. The Tribe’s $5.8 million dollar Veteran's Memorial Community Center has a swimming pool, full-size basketball court, weight and exercise rooms and a large kitchen. The Golden Buffalo Casino operates a Convention Center that holds 120 people comfortably. A Horseman's Club sponsors several "Play Days" throughout the summer. The Tribe has a recreational area and boat launch at South Iron Nation and other informal beach areas and boat ramps along the shoreline of the Missouri River.

• EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

The Lower Brule Education system consists of a Head-start Program, a K-5 elementary school, a 6-8 middle school, and a 9-12 High School. The Tribe also operates the Lower Brule Community College, accredited under Sinte Gleska University of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. In addition, the Tribe is involved in a Video-Cultural Program where students, teachers and elders document important cultural activities and histories.

• HEALTHCARE

The Tribe contracts with Indian Health Services to operate a Tribal Health Department that oversees the tribal ambulance services and employs Community Health Representatives. The Tribal Health Department provides examinations and eyeglasses to tribal members at reduced costs as well as coordinating health delivery services. The Lower Brule IHS Service Unit operates a dental clinic, medical clinic and conducts several outreach programs, which provide services to the Members of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe on a regular basis, and to anyone in an emergency. Full service hospital facilities are available in the neighboring communities of Chamberlain and Pierre.