McLaughlin, South Dakota is named after James McLaughlin, an Indian agent. He ordered the arrest of Sitting Bull which led to his death. McLaughlin emigrated to the United States in 1863 at the age of 21, married a Mdewakaton woman, and studied to become an Indian agent. McLaughlin is buried in McLaughlin on the South Dakota side of the Standing Rock reservation.
Many tribal members want the town name to change and there was a petition circulated a few years ago to change it, but costs involved didn't make it feasible. Lakota speakers refer to the town as Makáȟleča or Matȟó Akíčita. Matȟó Akíčita is Lakota for Bear Soldier.