The Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota hopes a long-running dispute over the status of its reservation has ended with a decision from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

The court determined that the reservation consists of land held in trust for the tribe and individual Indians. That comes to about 37,000 acres.

"It really is time to quit presuming that the relations between the state and the tribes always have to be adversarial," Chairman Robert Cournoyer said in a statement. "We face common threats with a poor economy, decreasing revenues for our governments, challenges to the educational system for our children, and needed health care for our people. We are now extending our hand in friendship to South Dakota and hope to put this matter to rest."

Cournoyer asked Gov. Mike Rounds (R) not to file an appeal in the case. The state hasn't commented on the decision.

Get the Story:
Appeals court upholds existence of reservation (AP 8/27)

8th Circuit Decision:
Yankton Sioux Tribe v. Podhrasky (August 25, 2009)

Related Stories:
Appeals court rules in Yankton Sioux land case (8/25)