Total population | |
---|---|
(7,256 enrolled members) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
United States ( North Dakota) | |
Languages | |
English, Dakota | |
Religion | |
Christianity (incl. syncretistic forms), Midewiwin | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Assiniboine, Stoney (Nakoda), and other Siouan peoples |
The Spirit Lake Tribe (in Santee Dakota: Mni Wakan Oyate, formerly known as Devils Lake Sioux) is a federally recognized tribe based on a reservation located in east-central North Dakota on the southern shores of Devils Lake. It is made up of people of the Sisseton (Sisíthuŋwaŋ) and Wahpeton (Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ) bands.
Established in 1867 in a treaty between Sisseton-Wahpeton Bands and the United States government, the reservation, at 47°54′38″N 98°53′01″W / 47.91056°N 98.88361°W, consists of 1,283.777 km² (495.669 sq mi) of land area, primarily in Benson and Eddy counties. Smaller areas extend into Ramsey, Wells and Nelson counties.
According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2011, the tribe had 6,748 enrolled members. At the time of the U.S. 2000 census, 4,435 members were living on the reservation but slightly more than 6,000 are estimated to live there currently. The unemployment rate was 47.3% in 2000. The largest community on the reservation is Fort Totten.
The tribe has a written constitution and an elected government, with a chairman and tribal council. In 2014 the chairperson was Myra Pearson.