08.19.20

Hoeven: Restoring Name of White Horse Hill Honors Heritage of Spirit Lake Tribe

Hoeven Helped Introduce, Pass Legislation Sponsored by Senator Cramer to Reinstate Traditional Dakota Name

ST. MICHAEL, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today joined the renaming ceremony of White Horse Hill National Game Preserve. Hoeven helped introduce and pass legislation, sponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer, to restore the traditional Dakota name of the area, which lies within the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation. The site had previously been named for General Alfred Sully, a military officer during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars who committed several massacres against Native Americans, including ancestors of the Spirit Lake Tribe. Representative Kelly Armstrong introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Today’s ceremony marks a welcome change to honor the heritage and people of the Spirit Lake Tribe,” said Hoeven. “We appreciate our colleagues for working with us to move the necessary legislation through Congress, and we join with the community in celebrating the restored White Horse Hill name today.” 

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