The National Park Service is considering turning over part of the Badlands National Park to the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

The proposal is still in the early stages and requires Congressional approval. But it would be the first time in history that national parkland has been returned to a tribe.

The 133,000 acres are located in the south unit of the park. The land was taken from the tribe during World War II. More than 800 people were forced to leave in just a week.

Tribal activists and descendants of those who were displaced want the land back. But others say the tribe isn't ready. The tribe co-manages the south unit under an agreement with NPS.

Get the Story:
Oglala Sioux could regain Badlands national parkland (The Los Angeles Times 6/8)
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