Senators Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle of South Dakota met with tribal leaders of the state's nine reservations on September 25. The summit took place at the Crazy Horse Monument near the city of Custer, and was hosted by South Dakota's Rosebud Sioux tribe. Rosebud President Charlie Colombe held the summit to address what he saw as the federal government's increasing neglect of Native Americans living on reservations in the United States.
Tribal leaders questioned their senators about poor health care, joblessness, numerous under-funded programs including public safety, and the crumbling school buildings prevalent on all of South Dakota's reservations. Johnson explained to the Aberdeen News that the meeting was a "listening session" and a time for him and Daschle to understand Native American's perspectives. Tribal leaders said they believed the summit was the beginning of a continuing dialogue between Native American leaders and their state senators.
