WASHINGTON – The North Dakota Congressional delegation introduced legislation today to change the name of “Sullys Hill,” a National Game Preserve administered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) within the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation, to “White Horse Hill,” its traditional Dakota name.

The federal government named this preserve in 1931 after General Alfred Sully, who killed hundreds of Native Americans, including ancestors of the Spirit Lake Nation. Because the name change came through an act of Congress, it takes another act of Congress to restore its rightful name.

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the legislation in the U.S. Senate; and Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, joined as an original cosponsor.

“The Spirit Lake Tribe does not need a name within their land that reminds them of the atrocities committed against their ancestors,” said Senator Cramer. “The Dakota people hold the name ‘White Horse Hill’ as sacred, and I hope we pass this legislation to honor the history of this land and the wishes of this tribe.”

“This legislation is a collaborative effort to reinstate the traditional Dakota name of White Horse Hill to this land within the Spirit Lake Nation,” said Senator Hoeven. “This return to its historic name will honor the heritage of this area and the Spirit Lake Tribe.”

Representative Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) introduced an identical bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“This game preserve in the heart of the Spirit Lake Reservation should have never been named as it was, so we’re going to put it back to its historical name,” said Representative Armstrong. “This is the wish of the Spirit Lake Tribe, and we should honor their request.”

General Sully was a military officer during the Civil War and the Indian Wars. He gained notoriety for committing several massacres against Native Americans, including the September 3, 1863 massacre in the Dakota Territory, where his troops destroyed a village of 500 tipis and killed 300 of Spirit Lake Tribe’s ancestors. This battle is one of the greatest massacres in North Dakota’s history.

The tribe, in cooperation with the Governor’s office and North Dakota’s Department of Tourism, requested the hill return to its historic Dakota name and expressed support for this legislation.

“The Tribal Council is aware and fully supports a proposed name change from the present name of Sullys Hill to ‘White Horse Hill’,” the Spirit Lake Tribe wrote in a resolution.

“As a state that shares geography and history with Spirit Lake Nation, and as an administration that prioritizes tribal partnerships built on understanding and mutual respect,” Governor Doug Burgum said in a letter of support, “we support the efforts of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer in re-designating the site to properly honor its Dakota history.”

“I understand that the name change requires an act of Congress and appreciate your efforts to resolve this long-standing concern,” Tourism Director Sara Coleman added in a letter. “The tourism leadership in Devils Lake joins us in our support of this name change, as we feel it will better represent the rich heritage and culture of the Spirit Lake Nation and the Devils Lake area.”

Click here to read the bill in its entirety.

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