South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R) isn't looking to appoint an Indian person to the state Supreme Court despite recommendations to make the judiciary more responsive to Indian Country.

Rounds said he will choose someone who best fits the job "not the person who will get me an accolade for having done something different or unique." That may or may not be Ron Volesky, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who has applied for the post.

The South Dakota Equal Justice Commission, which was created by the state Supreme Court's chief justice, says more Indian people and members of minority groups should serve on the bench. According to The Sioux Falls Argus Leader, only one Indian person serves as a judge in the state.

More than 8 percent of the population in South Dakota is American Indian or Alaska Native.

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Rounds urged to pick more minority judges (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 2/8)