On January 20, 2025, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation announced the receipt of $690,327 in federal funding aimed at expanding its transit operations. This funding, provided by the Federal Transit Administration, will allow the tribe to add more vehicles and extend service hours, including weekends. The initiative is designed to enhance access to essential services such as healthcare and education for tribal members [ed32d11d].
This funding is part of a larger allocation of $9.6 million distributed among 26 organizations nationwide, reflecting a growing commitment to improving public transportation in tribal communities. In the fiscal year 2023, the Federal Transit Administration received 41 project applications totaling $19 million, ultimately funding 22 projects across 22 tribes for a total of $9.9 million. The funding amounts varied significantly, ranging from $25,000 to over $1 million [ed32d11d].
In addition to this transit expansion, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate has also recently secured $1.2 million from the USDA for a Crop Emissions and Sustainability Index project, further demonstrating their commitment to enhancing the economic potential and sustainability of tribal lands [bffc6900]. Tony Sunseri, State Conservationist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, noted that such initiatives are vital for fostering public-private partnerships that yield significant benefits for local communities [bffc6900].
These developments highlight the ongoing efforts to support both transportation and agricultural sustainability within the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, ensuring that tribal members have access to the resources they need to thrive [ed32d11d][bffc6900].