SOUTH DAKOTA AND THE UN

South Dakota may sit at the heart of America,
but its ties to the United Nations stretch across the globe.

Here are a few ways South Dakota and the UN work together.

Public Health

South Dakota’s Department of Health works hand in hand with the World Health Organization protocols to strengthen disease preparedness, water safety and emergency planning. During COVID-19, WHO-informed guidance shaped testing and rural outreach across the state, ensuring global expertise translated into local resilience.

Indigenous Rights

South Dakota is home to nine federally recognized tribes that bring their voices to the world stage. Through the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), leaders from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Rosebud Sioux Tribe have pressed global audiences on land sovereignty, environmental justice and access to clean water. Their advocacy ensures South Dakota’s Indigenous priorities shape international conversations.

Refugee Resettlement

Since 2002, more than 5,000 refugees have resettled in South Dakota through UNHCR programs, many from Sudan, Bhutan, DR Congo and Afghanistan. Communities like Sioux Falls and Huron have welcomed new neighbors who now contribute in hospitals, schools and meatpacking plants — helping fill labor shortages and revitalize local economies. Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota anchors this work, offering housing, job training and cultural orientation grounded in UNHCR standards.

Education and Youth Engagement

From Model UN programs at South Dakota State University and Augustana University to UNA-USA chapters and Peace Corps alumni networks, South Dakota students and volunteers are building the skills of global citizenship. These efforts bring diplomacy, negotiation and cross-cultural understanding to classrooms and communities — especially in rural and Indigenous areas — keeping South Dakota connected to the wider world.