Cheyenne River Sioux man charts new territory with new post

Friday, February 25, 2011  

Leroy "J.R." LaPlante, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, starts his new job as Secretary of Tribal Relations in South Dakota next Tuesday.

LaPlante, an attorney, was one of 35 applicants for the job, which was elevated to the Cabinet by new Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R). He was selected among six finalists.

“I was appointed Feb. 11. That was a very historic day for South Dakota,” LaPlante told The Yankton Press and Dakotan. “There is nothing comparable in South Dakota or in much of the nation. This is new territory.”

LaPlante plans to make law enforcement, economic development and Indian youth a priority in his new job.

Get the Story:
‘This Is New Territory’ (The Yankton Press and Dakotan 2/25)

Related Stories:
Cheyenne River Sioux man named Secretary of Tribal Relations (2/11)
South Dakota governor promises to fill tribal relations secretary (1/25)