Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill creating a South Dakota Indian Child Advisory Council.

The bill places the council within the Department of Social Service.

Its goal is to improve communication and cooperation between tribes and the state when it comes to developing policies to improve Native child welfare.

The council includes a representative from each of the state’s nine tribes, as well as a representative from DSS and a lawmaker from each chamber.

Supporters of the bill say the advisory council is the first step in opening conversations about issues Native children face, including overrepresentation in the state’s foster care system.