(Photographs courtesy of Mike Stone, Coalition of Large Tribes)
COLT holds special strategy session in Rapid City from February 17-18, 2025; Welcomes three Tribes to the Board.
February 20, 2025
Rapid City, South Dakota – The Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT), an intertribal organization representing the interests of the more than 50 tribes with reservations of 100,000 acres or more, encompassing more than 95% of the Indian Country lands and more than half the Native American population, held a special strategy session on February 17-18 to discuss continued and expanded work with the Trump-Vance Administration to advance priorities and initiatives of large land base tribes, and indeed, all of Indian Country.
New Board member Tribes include: the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and Spirit Lake Nation. The addition of these Tribes builds on the positive, collaborative relationship between COLT and the Trump-Vance Administration.
“From Inauguration Day and every day of the Administration, COLT Tribal leaders have welcomed many opportunities to engage the representatives of the White House and the Departments, all of whom have been extremely responsive and interested in doing whatever they can to make Indian Country safer and healthier and to help uplift Tribal economies and opportunities,” said COLT Chairman J. Garret Renville, Chairman of Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate.
“The collective advocacy and diplomacy of the Coalition of Large Tribes will continue to be beneficial for all of Indian Country. We have many challenging issues and it’s important that tribes present a united voice in discussions with the White House and with Congressional members. We welcome the addition of more tribal nations, as we continue to move forward together,” said COLT Vice Chairwoman Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of the 25th Navajo Nation Council.
“Secretaries Burgum and Kennedy have been particularly attuned to respect for Tribes’ sovereignty and careful stewardship of the United States’ Treaty and Trust obligations. COLT honors and respects their leadership,” said COLT Secretary / Treasurer Lisa White Pipe, Vice President of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
Chairman Renville observed, “Three more Tribes joining the COLT Board now speaks to the fact those views are widely held in Indian Country. We look forward to continuing to work together with the Trump-Vance Administration on our shared public safety, health, energy and economic priorities.”
CONTACTS:
- COLT Chairman J. Garret Renville – (605) 268-0589, chairman@swo-nsn.gov
- COLT Secretary / Treasurer Lisa White Pipe, Vice President, Rosebud Sioux Tribe – (605) 208-2122, lwhitepipe@rst-nsn.gov
- COLT Executive Director OJ Semans – (605) 828-1422, tateota@hotmail.com
Resolutions
- RESOLUTION OF COLT TO ASSIST SECRETARY INTERIOR IN REVIEW OF BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION
- RESOLUTION OF COLT SUPPORT FOR FULL FUNDING OF TRIBAL PUBLIC SAFETY IN 2025 RECONCILIATION OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET
- Resolution of COLT Calling on Congress to Maintain or Increase Current Funding Levels for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Other Federal Food Assistance Programs
- RESOLUTION OF COLT SUPPORT FOR UPHOLDING TREATIES, THE FEDERAL TRUST RESPONSIBILITY, AND TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY BY WAY OF MEANINGFUL TRIBAL CONSULTATION
- Resolution Supporting Indian Managed Care, 100% FMAP for American Indians and Alaska Natives, Establishment Of Ptaya Wicozani, Inc. (Section 17 Intertribal Corporation) To Serve As An Indian Managed Care Entity To Improve Medicaid And Indian Health Services In The Great Plains Region
Photographs from the Special Planning Meeting
