Spirit Lake Nation Reclaims 680 Acres After Century-Long Effort

The Spirit Lake Nation has reclaimed 680 acres of land that was originally part of its 1867 treaty territory but had been taken more than a century ago. As reported by Stewart Huntington, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service transferred the land on February 10, marking the culmination of decades of advocacy by the tribe. Spirit Lake Chairwoman Lonna Jackson-Street called the return a “significant step towards healing and reconciliation,” expressing gratitude for government partners who supported the effort.

The land had been removed from the tribe’s control in 1905 by President Theodore Roosevelt and later deemed “submarginal” in the 1950s. Although Congress had initiated efforts to return such lands to Native nations, the Fish and Wildlife Service retained this property for hay production to support the buffalo population at White Horse Hill. However, in recent years, the land remained unused, leading to its eventual transfer by the General Services Administration.

The reclaimed land, located within the original reservation boundaries, contains native and medicinal plants that the tribe plans to preserve. While there are no immediate development plans, Spirit Lake leadership is considering using the land for expanded medical facilities and housing. The tribe is also seeking the return of an additional 300 acres from the federal government, remaining hopeful about future land restoration efforts.