| Santee Sioux Reservation | |
| Settlement Type: | Indian reservation |
| Subdivision Type: | Tribe |
| Subdivision Name: | Santee Sioux Nation |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Nebraska |
| Subdivision Type3: | County |
| Subdivision Name3: | Knox |
| Seat Type: | Headquarters |
| Seat: | Niobrara |
| Government Footnotes: | [1] |
| Governing Body: | Tribal Council |
| Leader Title: | Chairman |
| Leader Name: | Roger Trudell |
| Leader Title1: | Vice-Chairman |
| Leader Name1: | Sidney Tuttle |
| Unit Pref: | US |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 172.99 |
| Population Footnotes: | [2] |
| Population As Of: | 2017 |
| Population Total: | 1041 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| Website: | santeesiouxnation.net |
The Santee Sioux Reservation (Dakota: '''Isáŋyathi''') of the Santee Sioux (also known as the Eastern Dakota) was established in 1863 in present-day Nebraska. The tribal seat of government is located in Niobrara, Nebraska, with reservation lands in Knox County.
Established by an Act of the U.S. Congress on March 3, 1863, the Niobrara Reservation was officially recognized in an Executive Order dated February 27, 1866, and in treaties dated November 16, 1867 and April 29, 1868. Additional executive orders applying to the reservation were dated August 31, 1869, December 31, 1873, and February 9, 1885. In those initial years, tribal members selected 32875.75acres as homesteads and 38908.01acres as allotments; 1130.7acres were designated for use as an Indian agency, school, and mission.[3]
The reservation (shown as Dakota Reservation on the map at right) lies along the south bank of the Missouri River, and includes part of Lewis and Clark Lake. As of the 2000 census, the reservation recorded a resident population of 878, of which 64.1% were Native American and 33.7% White. Its land area is 172.99 mi.² (447.84 km2). The major center of population is the village of Santee, in the northernmost portion of the reservation.[4]
Other major populations of Oglala Lakota and Brulé Sioux are located to the north on reservations within South Dakota.
Chief Wabasha was the first and last head chief of the Santee Sioux until his death in 1876. The first tribal council election was held on January 22, 1878, following a unanimous vote to end the old chief system.[5]