Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) met with tribal leaders and Indian business owners on Friday to discuss economic development on the state's reservations.

Johnson wanted to find out barriers to economic development. Tribal leaders, including Oglala Sioux President Cecelia Fire Thunder, Cheyenne River Sioux Chairman Harold Frazier and Lower Brule Sioux Chairman Michael Jandreau told him more infrastructure and federal funding are needed to attract business to reservations.

Tribal leaders also cited bureaucratic delays at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. An Oglala Sioux council member said a $300 million wind farm deal fell through because the BIA failed to respond to the tribe.

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Tribal leaders cite obstacles (The Rapid City Journal 4/23)