National Guard expands winter storm mission to Pine Ridge Reservation

The South Dakota National Guard is expanding its current winter storm mission to the Pine Ridge Reservation, Gov. Kristi Noem announced Friday afternoon in a news release.

On Thursday night, Noem authorized the Guard to haul available firewood from the Black Hills National Forest to the Rosebud Reservation.

Friday, she said the Guard will continue that effort while also helping with snow removal in support of both the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the Oglala Sioux Tribe, which is the tribal government on Pine Ridge. The Guard will perform those missions in conjunction with the state Department of Public Safety and state Department of Transportation.