Native American tribes to work with U.S. Forest Service in co-stewardship efforts

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Friday, Native American tribal leaders came together at a Pe-Sla meeting to discuss the new co-stewardship with the U.S. Forest Service.

The goal of this co-stewardship is for the federal government to work with Native Tribes to restore National Forest land by reducing hazardous fuels while incorporating indigenous knowledge of the land. Richard Meyers is the regional tribal relation manager for the U.S. Forest Service and says this new co-stewardship is great for both groups to come together and have a voice for one common goal.

”Always listening to what the tribes and the public have to say. How to effectively bring that conversation forward again of what it means to work together towards common goals of the wellness of the forest,” Meyers said.

Governor Kristi Noem was also in attendance at the meeting. Her concerns weren’t with the co-stewardship, but what the word co-stewardship means going forward.

”We don’t know what co-stewardship means. What does that mean? How will it change how forest service land is used in the Black Hills? That will dramatically impact our state. If it’s over one million acres it’s ‘how is that land used for grazing? How will ranchers be impacted? How will people who live among forest service land be impacted as far as danger and fire protection?”, Governor Noem said.

Governor Noem also mentioned how pleased she was with today’s discussion and the tribal leaders’ desire to protect the sacred sites and National Forests.

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