Yankton Treaty

The 1858 treaty immediately opened this territory up for settlement, resulting in the establishment of an unofficial local government not recognized by Washington.

[citation needed] The treaty also created the primary 430,000 acre Yankton Sioux Reservation, now located in Charles Mix County in South Dakota.

[5] Smutty Bear (Ma-to-sa-be-che-a), a Yankton chief, was opposed the treaty because he felt it would only bring further white intrusions as they pushed to settle the open prairie with no obvious impediments.

Strike-the-Ree (Pa-le-ne-a-pa-pe, also known as "The Man that Struck the Ree"), the elder Yankton Sioux chief, also felt that too many whites were settling there, but decided that opposing them was futile, and he signed the treaty.

The United States was granted permission to construct roads across the Yankton reservation with consent from the Secretary of the Interior.

The U.S. agreed to protect the Yankton tribe on their reserved land and pay annuities totaling $1,600,000 over 50 years, with varying amounts for different periods.

The Yankton chiefs could authorize the payment of up to $150,000 from their annuities to settle debts, subject to approval by the agent and Secretary of the Interior.

The U.S. had the right to establish military posts, roads, and Indian agencies within the Yankton reservation, with compensation provided for any property taken.

The United States would bear all expenses related to the treaty, including surveying the reservation and pipestone quarry.