South Dakota's first Secretary of Tribal Relations hopes to forge more open relationships in Indian Country.

Leroy "J.R." LaPlante, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, was appointed to the Cabinet-level position by Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R). He called for honesty when addressing tribal issues.

"I don't think there is any need to beat around the bush. It's going to require a tremendous amount of honesty and being open and upfront about the challenges we have," LaPlante told the state Legislature's State-Tribal Relations Committee, The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported.

Daugaard is planning to meet with leaders of all nine tribes in the state.

Get the Story:
State-tribal committee confronts challenges (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/27)

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