Drew Wrigley, Attorney General | North Dakota Industrial Commission
Drew Wrigley, Attorney General | North Dakota Industrial Commission
Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, along with state Cabinet leaders and agency representatives, visited the Spirit Lake Nation on October 29 as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships between North Dakota’s government and tribal nations. The delegation met with Chairwoman Lonna Jackson-Street, state legislators, and other tribal leaders at the Spirit Lake Casino & Resort near St. Michael.
The visit is one in a series planned by Governor Armstrong to meet with all five tribal nations in North Dakota during his first year in office. Since July, Armstrong has made official visits to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, and Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation. He also plans another visit to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe soon.
The meetings are being facilitated by the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission to introduce the new administration to tribal nations and foster stronger partnerships.
“Our goal with these visits is to listen to the needs, challenges and opportunities of our tribal nations, which are each unique in their own way, and identify avenues to turn ideas into action,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate the hospitality shown by Chairwoman Street and the Tribal Council and look forward to continued collaboration and partnerships that strengthen state-tribal relations for the benefit of tribal members and all North Dakota citizens.”
During this visit, Armstrong and Chairwoman Street reaffirmed their commitment to cross-reservation mutual aid by signing an agreement originally established in 2022. This agreement allows peace officers from neighboring jurisdictions to respond first to emergency calls until authorities with primary jurisdiction arrive.
Topics discussed included gaming regulations, taxation issues, jurisdictional matters related to sentencing, trust lands management, health services delivery, fish and wildlife policies, economic development initiatives, and education programs. The day began with an update at the Spirit Lake Food Distribution Program in Fort Totten.
State officials present included Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus.
The Spirit Lake Reservation is home to nearly 3,300 enrolled members living within its boundaries out of a total enrollment of about 7,900 members. The reservation covers roughly 405 square miles across Benson County as well as parts of Eddy, Nelson, and Ramsey counties.
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