Sisseton

Sisseton is a city in Roberts County, South Dakota, United States. It is the county seat and the largest community in Roberts County. The city lies in the northeastern part of the state, near the Minnesota border and close to Lake Traverse.

The name derives from the Sisseton, a band of the Dakota people, one of the Eastern Sioux. The Sisseton have long inhabited the region, and the name was adopted for the town and surrounding area.

The community was established in the late 19th century with the expansion of rail service, developing as a commercial center for surrounding farms. Nearby lands became part of the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, home to the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe.

The Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, also known as the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, maintains its tribal government and services in the region, with Agency Village as a major hub within the reservation. The city serves as a civic and service center for county and tribal administration. Education institutions include Sisseton Wahpeton College, a tribal college located in the area, as well as local public schools.

The local economy centers on agriculture, government and tribal services, healthcare, and retail, with tourism tied to lakes, outdoor recreation, and Dakota cultural heritage. The area maintains a strong Dakota cultural presence, reflected in community events and institutions devoted to language, traditions, and history.