The American Indian and Alaska Native population in South Dakota grew 15 percent over the past decade, according to
U.S. Census Bureau.
The 2010 Census reported 71,817 Native Americans in the state. That's about 8.8 percent of the population.
"These numbers are a social determinant to the quality of life of our urban, rural and reservation-based tribal members in South Dakota. Perhaps, no other population group in South Dakota feels the direct effect that these numbers will represent,"
Andrew Iron Shell of the Western South Dakota Native American Organizing Project told The Rapid City Journal.
Despite the report of growth, tribal officials believe American Indians and Alaska Natives remain seriously undercounted.
Get the Story:
State's Native American population grows 15 percent
(The Rapid City Journal 2/17)
Population up on some reservations (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 2/17)
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