Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
Fort Yates, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) visited the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reservation yesterday at the invitation of Chairwoman Janet Alkire and met with tribal council members to discuss a wide array of issues.
“I had a wonderful and meaningful visit to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Nation yesterday. Thank you to Chairwoman Alkire, the other members of the Council and the entire team for their kind hospitality. The day was filled with productive discussions—and a lot of listening on my end—on challenges including veteran services, rural health care needs, energy, transportation, and water infrastructure, resource development, banking, workforce issues, and law enforcement, with a special emphasis on cultural issues. It was important to see the hospital and detention facilities firsthand. I left with an extensive to-do list filled with tasks and follow up and we pledge to do everything we can to help the citizens of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. As a sovereign government, they know what’s best for their members but we can work together as partners in government-to-government relations to upgrade facilities, repair infrastructure, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. I look forward to future trips to Standing Rock,” said Senator Cramer.
While on the reservation, Senator Cramer toured the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe administrative building, the Indian Health Service (IHS) hospital, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Detention Center. The tour of the hospital included the optometry, dental, and behavioral clinic in addition to future plans for a new medical campus, which will improve health care access and services in the region.
“One of the highlights of my day was running into my former students from Sitting Bull College and having time to catch up on their lives,” said Senator Cramer.
During a meeting with the Standing Rock Tribal Council, they discussed transportation and water infrastructure needs, law enforcement challenges, workforce issues, veterans services, and plans for the new medical campus. The group, including policy and constituent service staff from the Office of Senator Cramer, participated in a brainstorming session on funding sources such as grants in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and contacts to solve some of the challenges on the reservation.
In September, Senator Cramer met with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Housing Authority to discuss the housing crisis and the impact it has their community, including labor shortages.