2021 State of the Tribes Address
By Alaina Beautiful Bald Eagle
Sioux Falls, SD (January 18, 2021) – Unity, climate change, and education were among some of the topics highlighted by Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Mike Faith at this year’s State of the Tribes Address. Each year on the third day of the legislative session, an elected chairman or president from one of the nine sovereign tribes in South Dakota gives the address, which provides the state legislature, key information about issues that impact tribes and serves as an outline for legislative priorities from a tribal perspective.
The occasion began with the posting of colors by American Legion Post 239 from Little Eagle, SD. The Grand River Singers performed the flag song in honor of the country and all veterans and warriors. A delegation of tribal leaders entered the House chamber- they included tribal council representatives, chairmen, and officials who were from throughout the Great Sioux Nation. An important part of Lakota/Dakota culture is to offer prayer when gathering, which is what Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chairman Delbert Hopkins Jr. did with his invocation.
In his hour-long speech, Chairman Faith spoke on an array of topics and issues that impact his tribe. Each of the nine sovereign tribes in South Dakota is unique and although they may all face similar challenges, their approach to tackling problems may differ. Chairman Faith underscored this in his address.
“I can’t speak for other tribes. I’m only speaking from my heart, from Standing Rock,” he said.
The chairman opened with a call for unity and understanding. The Covid-19 health crisis exacerbated the shaky relationship between tribal nations and the State government. Tribes initiated their own unique pandemic response plans, with some creating public health checkpoints, a point of contention for Governor Noem who threatened legal action, but failed to do so.
“It’s time to mend fences, time to go forward positively, for the people… Let’s put differences aside and go forward in a good way. We’re no different than the next-door neighbor. We can help each other for a better economy, a better understanding, better education, but we have to be willing,” said Chairman Faith.
The tribal leader also spoke about climate change and acknowledged that Unci Maka/Mother Earth is sending a message which one only needs to be observant to understand- that she is tired.
“For the last three years I’ve seen eagles going back a month early. Things are changing. Our weather patterns are changing. We need to help her in a good way to stay healthy,” implored Chairman Faith.
He also emphasized the impact climate change has on agriculture, South Dakota’s number one industry. With the change in weather patterns, South Dakota farmers and ranchers are having to adjust their operations, especially with such little moisture this season, said Faith. Continued inaction toward the climate crisis will have dire consequences, stated Faith.
Another important topic the chairman highlighted was federal funding formulas which regulate how much funding tribes get for things such as transportation and education. Tribal leaders from the Great Sioux Nation have repeatedly called for a change of funding formulas, which often do not benefit large land-based tribes and lead to underfunding. In the past, tribes have testified before the Committee on Indian Affairs and appealed to the South Dakota Congressional Delegation for support on legislation that would address this issue, to no avail.
These funding shortages have resulted in failed road infrastructure on tribal lands, and sadly, fatalities. In June 2019, two people tragically died and two others had to be rescued after a section of a Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 3 on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation washed out after heavy rain, creating a 70-foot chasm. The washed-out culvert had been identified for replacement seven years prior to the incident but was not scheduled to be repaired by the federal agency until 2021.
“Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn’t have a timeframe. We lost two people. Good people,” Chairman Faith solemnly stated.
The chairman also spoke about education and urged the legislators to pass the Oceti Sakowin community-based education bill which he said will “allow our students to have a self-identity.” He spoke about the horrific assimilation era when Native American children were forcibly removed from their families and sent away hundreds of miles to Indian boarding schools. The “Kill the Indian, Save the Man” policy forbade indigenous children from speaking their language and systematically stripped them of their identity. The educational bill would provide students with a curriculum that is based in the thought and philosophy of the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires of the Great Sioux Nation).
Chairman Faith ended his speech with the same message he began with – a message of unity and cooperation.
“I want to see us work together for a common good, the people we represent, for economic development for health care, housing, infrastructure,” said the Chairman.
Please direct questions to SDDP Executive Director Pam Cole via email pam@sddp.org or phone (605) 695-1996.
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