The Lakota Times has closed following its Jan. 14 issue, eliminating one of South Dakota’s few Native-owned and Native-edited newspapers. Publisher Connie L. Smith, an Oglala Lakota journalist, told subscribers the shutdown was due to “unforeseen circumstances and health issues.” The paper had served as the official legal newspaper for both Oglala Lakota County and the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Its closure comes amid broader instability in South Dakota journalism. Several non-Native newspapers were abruptly shuttered in 2025 before reopening under new owners, but Native-owned outlets often face greater financial hurdles and fewer options for rescue.
Founded in 2004 as the Lakota Country Times, the paper reclaimed the historic Lakota Times name in 2019. It covered the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations, filling gaps left by mainstream media.
Smith said all auto-renewing subscriptions have been canceled. The website remains online with archived content, but no future publishing plans have been announced.
Comments