Oglala Sioux Tribe requests trust status for former sanitarium


Boarding school students at the site of the former Sioux Sanitarium. Photo from Asylum Projects

The Oglala Sioux Tribe is seeking trust status for parts of the former Sioux Sanitarium in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The federal government established a boarding school at the site in 1898. It was later converted to a sanitarium to treat tuberculosis but many tribal members died there due to shoddy treatment.

Part of the facility later became the Sioux San Hospital. The tribe wants three remaining parcels -- including an unmarked cemetery -- placed in trust to honor the people who died there.

The Rapid City Council supports the request.

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