Senate Journal 1/17/2018 02:00 PM

JOURNAL OF THE SENATE

NINETY-THIRD SESSION

STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Senate Chamber, Pierre
Wednesday, January 17, 2018

The Senate convened at 2:00 p.m., pursuant to adjournment, the President presiding.

The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Rev. Valerie Hummel LaBounty, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senate page Josie Sylte.

Roll Call: All members present.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL

MR. PRESIDENT:

The Committee on Legislative Procedure respectfully reports that the Secretary of the Senate has had under consideration the Senate Journal of the fifth day.

All errors, typographical or otherwise, are duly marked in the temporary journal for correction.

And we hereby move the adoption of the report.

Respectfully submitted,

Brock L. Greenfield, Chair

Which motion prevailed.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

MR. PRESIDENT:

The Committee on Transportation respectfully reports that it has had under consideration SB 23, 41, and 42 and returns the same with the recommendation that said bills do pass and be placed on the consent calendar.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Stalzer, Vice-Chair

Also MR. PRESIDENT:

The Committee on State Affairs respectfully reports that it has had under consideration SB 9 and 20 and returns the same with the recommendation that said bills do pass.

Also MR. PRESIDENT:

The Committee on State Affairs respectfully reports that it has had under consideration SB 13 and returns the same with the recommendation that said bill be amended as follows:

On page 2, line 24, of the printed bill, after "." insert "The fiscal note expenditure estimate shall also include any impact to the prison or county jail population.".

And that as so amended said bill do pass.

Also MR. PRESIDENT:

The Committee on State Affairs respectfully reports that it has had under consideration SB 5 which was deferred to the 41^st Legislative Day.

Respectfully submitted,
Bob Ewing, Chair

Also MR. PRESIDENT:

The Committee on Health and Human Services respectfully reports that it has had under consideration SB 60 and returns the same with the recommendation that said bill do pass.

Also MR. PRESIDENT:

The Committee on Health and Human Services respectfully reports that it has had under consideration SB 17 and returns the same with the recommendation that said bill do pass and be placed on the consent calendar.

Also MR. PRESIDENT:

The Committee on Health and Human Services respectfully reports that it has had under consideration SB 32 and returns the same with the recommendation that said bill be amended as follows:

On page 3, line 14, of the printed bill, after ";" insert "and".

On page 3, line 16, delete "; and" and insert ".".

On page 3, delete line 17.

On page 4, line 24, delete "derived from" and insert "related to".

On page 4, line 24, after "any" insert "one or more".

On page 5, line 3, after "in" insert "or on".

On page 5, line 4, after "substitution" insert "in or".

On page 5, line 5, delete "alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen" and insert "alkoxyl, hydroxyl, halo".

On page 5, delete lines 6 to 12, inclusive, and insert:

(c) By substitution in or on the piperadine ring with alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyl, ester, ether, hydroxyl, halo, haloalkyl, amino, phenyl, substituted phenyl, or nitro groups;

(d) By replacement of the aniline ring with any aromatic monocycle whether or not further substituted in or on the aromatic monocycle; or

(e) By the replacement of the N-propionyl group by another acyl group.".

And that as so amended said bill do pass.

Respectfully submitted,
Deb Soholt, Chair

MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE

MR. PRESIDENT:

I have the honor to transmit herewith HB 1001, 1003, 1004, and 1006 which have passed the House and your favorable consideration is respectfully requested.

Respectfully,
Sandy J. Zinter, Chief Clerk

MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

SCR 1: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Honoring the memory and accomplishments of President Grover Cleveland.

Sen. Bolin moved that SCR 1 as found on page 95 of the Senate Journal be adopted.

The question being on Sen. Bolin's motion that SCR 1 be adopted.

And the roll being called:

Yeas 35, Nays 0, Excused 0, Absent 0

Yeas:
Bolin; Cammack; Cronin; Curd; Ewing; Frerichs; Greenfield (Brock); Haverly; Heinert; Jensen (Phil); Kennedy; Killer; Klumb; Kolbeck; Langer; Maher; Monroe; Nelson; Nesiba; Netherton; Novstrup; Otten (Ernie); Partridge; Peters; Rusch; Russell; Soholt; Solano; Stalzer; Sutton; Tapio; Tidemann; White; Wiik; Youngberg

So the motion having received an affirmative vote of a majority of the members-elect, the President declared the motion carried and SCR 1 was adopted.

Sen. Greenfield (Brock) moved that SB 3 be referred from the Committee on State Affairs to the Senate Committee on Appropriations

Which motion prevailed.

Sen. Greenfield (Brock) moved that SB 4 be referred from the Committee on State Affairs to the Senate Committee on Appropriations

Which motion prevailed.

Sen. Greenfield (Brock) moved that SB 6 be referred from the Committee on State Affairs to the Senate Committee on Appropriations

Which motion prevailed.

Sen. Greenfield (Brock) moved that SB 74 be referred from the Committee on Judiciary to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

Which motion prevailed.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Sen. Curd moved that the report of the Standing Committee on

Education on SB 66 as found on page 89 of the Senate Journal be adopted.

Which motion prevailed.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS OF JOINT-SELECT COMMITTEES

Sen. Curd moved that the report of the Joint-Select Committee relative to the Joint Rules of the 93^rd Legislative Session as found on page 91 of the Senate Journal be adopted.

The question being on Sen. Curd's motion that the report of the Joint-Select Committee relative to the Joint Rules of the 93^rd Legislative Session as found on page 91 of the Senate Journal be adopted.

And the roll being called:

Yeas 23, Nays 12, Excused 0, Absent 0

Yeas:
Bolin; Cammack; Cronin; Curd; Ewing; Frerichs; Greenfield (Brock); Haverly; Kennedy; Klumb; Kolbeck; Maher; Nesiba; Novstrup; Otten (Ernie); Partridge; Peters; Rusch; Soholt; Solano; Tidemann; White; Youngberg

Nays:
Heinert; Jensen (Phil); Killer; Langer; Monroe; Nelson; Netherton; Russell; Stalzer; Sutton; Tapio; Wiik

So the motion having received an affirmative vote of a majority of the members-elect, the President declared the motion carried.

FIRST READING OF SENATE BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

SB 79 Introduced by: Senators Otten (Ernie), Curd, Frerichs, Kennedy, Novstrup, Partridge, and Tidemann and Representatives Stevens, Beal, Dennert, Heinemann, and Johns

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to authorize for voters with no party affiliation to sign nominating petitions for candidates with a party affiliation.

Was read the first time and referred to the Committee on State Affairs.

SB 80 Introduced by: Senators Bolin, Curd, Klumb, Monroe, Peters, Russell, Soholt, Solano, and Stalzer and Representatives Brunner, Beal, Bordeaux, Campbell, Clark, Frye-Mueller, Glanzer, Jensen (Kevin), Johns, Latterell, Peterson (Sue), Pischke, Schaefer, Smith, Steinhauer, Stevens, Willadsen, and Zikmund

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to establish term limits for members of the Board of Regents.

Was read the first time and referred to the Committee on Education.

SB 81 Introduced by: The Committee on Appropriations at the request of the Office of the Governor

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the building South Dakota fund and the programs funded thereunder.

Was read the first time and referred to the Joint Committee on Appropriations

SJR 2 Introduced by: Senators Nelson, Greenfield (Brock), Haverly, Jensen (Phil), Maher, Monroe, Netherton, Otten (Ernie), Russell, Stalzer, Tapio, and Youngberg and Representatives Lesmeister, Brunner, Dennert, DiSanto, Goodwin, Gosch, Howard, Kaiser, Livermont, Marty, May, Otten (Herman), Pischke, and Schoenfish

A JOINT RESOLUTION, Proposing and submitting to the electors at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the militia of the state.

Was read the first time and referred to the Committee on State Affairs.

FIRST READING OF HOUSE BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

HB 1001: FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to revise the membership of the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council.

Was read the first time and referred to the Committee on State Affairs.

HB 1003: FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to revise certain provisions concerning the content of the campaign finance disclosure reports and to declare an emergency.

Was read the first time and referred to the Committee on State Affairs.

HB 1004: FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to revise certain provisions regarding petition forms for initiated measures and initiated amendments to the Constitution.

Was read the first time and referred to the Committee on State Affairs.

HB 1006: FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to revise the extent of comments required by the director of the Legislative Research Council regarding certain ballot measures and the period of time in which those comments are to be made.

Was read the first time and referred to the Committee on State Affairs.

CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the executive reappointment of Kenneth D. Albers of Lincoln County, Canton, South Dakota, to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The question being "Does the Senate advise and consent to the executive reappointment of Kenneth D. Albers pursuant to the executive message as found on page 31 of the Senate Journal?"

And the roll being called:

Yeas 35, Nays 0, Excused 0, Absent 0

So the question having received an affirmative vote of a majority of the members-elect, the President declared the reappointment confirmed.

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the executive reappointment of Krista Heeren-Graber of Hutchinson County, Freeman, South Dakota, to the SD Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision.

The question being "Does the Senate advise and consent to the executive reappointment of Krista Heeren-Graber pursuant to the executive message as found on page 28 of the Senate Journal?"

And the roll being called:

Yeas 35, Nays 0, Excused 0, Absent 0

So the question having received an affirmative vote of a majority of the members-elect, the President declared the reappointment confirmed.

CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the judicial interim appointment of Shannon Riter-Osborn of Pennington County, Rapid City, South Dakota, to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The question being "Does the Senate advise and consent to the judicial interim appointment of Shannon Riter-Osborn pursuant to the judicial message as found on page 29 of the Senate Journal?"

And the roll being called:

Yeas 35, Nays 0, Excused 0, Absent 0

So the question having received an affirmative vote of a majority of the members-elect, the President declared the appointment confirmed.

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the judicial reappointment of Shannon Riter-Osborn of Pennington County, Rapid City, South Dakota, to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The question being "Does the Senate advise and consent to the judicial reappointment of Shannon Riter-Osborn pursuant to the judicial message as found on page 29 of the Senate Journal?"

And the roll being called:

Yeas 35, Nays 0, Excused 0, Absent 0

So the question having received an affirmative vote of a majority of the members-elect, the President declared the reappointment confirmed.

SECOND READING OF CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS

SB 39: FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to revise certain provisions regarding permitted improvements on school and public lands.

Was read the second time.

The question being "Shall SB 39 pass?"

And the roll being called:

Yeas 35, Nays 0, Excused 0, Absent 0

So the bill having received an affirmative vote of a majority of the members-elect, the President declared the bill passed and the title was agreed to.

SB 18: FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the South Dakota Board of Technical Education.

Was read the second time.

The question being "Shall SB 18 pass?"

And the roll being called:

Yeas 35, Nays 0, Excused 0, Absent 0

So the bill having received an affirmative vote of a majority of the members-elect, the President declared the bill passed and the title was agreed to.

SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

SB 26: FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to revise certain provisions regarding public grain buyers.

Was read the second time.

The question being "Shall SB 26 pass?"

And the roll being called:

Yeas 35, Nays 0, Excused 0, Absent 0

So the bill having received an affirmative vote of a majority of the members-elect, the President declared the bill passed and the title was agreed to.

SC 1 Introduced by: Senators Netherton and Ewing

A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring Ruhama Tereda of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Girls State Governor and Bridger Gordon of Whitewood, South Dakota, Boys State Governor and commending the South Dakota American Legion and Auxiliary for their sponsorship and coordination of the Girls State and Boys State programs.

WHEREAS, Ruhama Tereda and Bridger Gordon have been selected and are serving in these high offices and are outstanding young South Dakota leaders; and

WHEREAS, the goals of Boys State and Girls State are to help youth understand and appreciate the American system of government and way of life, including the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and to give better knowledge of the fundamental principles of government within the State of South Dakota through unique learn-by-doing workshop; and

WHEREAS, the South Dakota American Legion and Auxiliary have worked diligently for more than the last seventy years in conducting these fine programs:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Third Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that Ruhama Tereda and Bridger Gordon be congratulated for their outstanding achievement, that appreciation be extended to those adults who donate time and energy to the program, and that the South Dakota American Legion and Auxiliary be recognized for their many years of sponsoring and conducting Boys and Girls State.

Sen. Kennedy moved that the Senate do now adjourn, which motion prevailed and at 3:14 p.m. the Senate adjourned.

Kay Johnson, Secretary

Pursuant to the Joint-Select Committee Report found on page 11 of the Senate Journal, the following is the Honorable Boyd Gourneau's State of the Tribes Address:

STATE OF THE TRIBES
JANUARY 11, 2018
PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA
HONORABLE BOYD GOURNEAU
CHAIRMAN OF LOWER BRULE SIOUX TRIBE

Hau Mitaku-yapi Ampetu Wast'e

My Relatives _ Good Afternoon -My Lakota name (Wicasa Tuwa Mani Igna Oyate) is Man who walks among his people.

I am Boyd Gourneau, Chairman of the Kul Wicasa Oyate- the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.

It is truly an honor to speak before you today. But the real honor for me is to be allowed to serve our people as Chairman of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe!!

I want to thank the Legislature for the honor to speak before you today thank Lieutenant Governor Matt Michels for that nice introduction. I recognize that this is the State of the Tribes Address but I would first like to touch on the state of our Tribe as it relates greatly to the many other Tribes, all across Indian Country.

I would first like to commend Governor Daugaard for his continued efforts to support the progress of State and Tribal Relations by allowing the Secretary of Tribal Relations to remain a cabinet position. I also want to thank him and his staff for braving the reservation roads to visit Lower Brule a few months back and discuss not only the problems that we face but to also share a few success stories.

By far, our most successful endeavors pursued by our previous generations of leadership are in the areas of agriculture. The Lower Brule Farm Corporation, who at times were the world's largest single producer of popcorn and edible beans; consistently farming 8000 irrigated and 5000 acres of dry land.

Arguably the most notable product of our agricultural endeavors is the Lakota Foods Company and our famous Lakota Popcorn. In an effort to vertically integrate the popcorn we grow and create jobs on the reservation, Lakota Foods established the local production of microwaveable, ready to eat and bulk popcorn.

While most of our popcorn is sold and consumed every day here in America via the many popcorn companies who purchase it through open market, we reserve some that is produced in our local plant. At the time of our peak production, we were able to export to Bulgaria. Although at the moment we are making financial and marketing changes, we are still producing and selling bulk and 2 pound bags. We are vigilant in the success of this endeavor as lower bids from South American countries have had a harsh affect on our exporting and production efforts.

Among other agricultural endeavors is the Lower Brule Tribal ranch. We have 1600 mother cows and the necessary bulls to cover them. We do an extensive pasture rotation that allows us proper stewardship of the land as well as keep our numbers consistent, even in a drought year.

We also have successful Wildlife Enterprise that manages the wildlife on our reservation, engages in habitat restoration, produce's food plots and they also offer commercial and guided hunting of game such as buffalo, elk and pheasant.

Aside from agriculture and wildlife we have our gaming and restaurant success story, the Golden Buffalo Casino, which provides greatly needed local employment for our members.

Although as you can see, there are many success stories coming from Lower Brule, there unfortunately has not been much media attention on stories like these. In fact, if you were to Google "Lower Brule", you would most likely see headlines of the opposite storyline. The media coverage of an un-substantiated report prompted various audits of some of our federally funded programs.

The audits we've undergone have found that all funding was accounted for and there was no federal dollars missing. However, less than one percent of total dollars looked into by the auditors was deemed as disallowable. Recognizing that these were taxpayer dollars, as well as being a tax payer myself, I sincerely apologize and assure you that our Tribe has since repaid those funds. The audits have also uncovered weaknesses within our finance department and have prompted a number of internal changes that will ensure that disallowable spending does not occur again. Aside from weaknesses but an important point, it has made evident the substantial amount of tribal dollars used to support federal shortfalls. This is a process utilized by all Tribes in efforts to subsidize for the lack of federal funding to support our programs.

I only mention this dark time in our once reputable history because the report that spurred all of the headlines about our reservation has recently been cited for justification of additional funding to support a group of staff to be appointed to thoroughly look at other Tribes finance's in Indian Country. I also mention this because to truly understand Lower Brule, I felt it necessary to explain beyond the headlines that have bombarded our tribe in the recent years.

Now that I've spoke on the issues of our Tribe, I would like to now speak on a few of the many issues that are relevant to the state of all Tribes in South Dakota.

I want to quickly speak on racism and the many stereotypes that our people occasionally face. I want to be clear, we are all South Dakotans. Our state is rightfully named after the original inhabitants of this area. The people on our reservations are farmers, ranchers, college graduates, employees, tax payers, and simply put, your average South Dakotans. In my opinion, some of the hardest working people in our state come from our reservations and surrounding communities. While some of these communities provide a great example for improving relations between our races, others can use some improvement.

I won't deny that there are a few people who still hold onto racial biases against the Native Americans in this state. To turn a blind eye to it, only supports the continuance of this kind of mentality. Subjecting your fellow South Dakotans and at times their children to racist

acts and comments is purely unacceptable, and detrimental to improving relationships and achieving reconciliation between the Native and Non Native people in our great state.

Perhaps the most prevalent issue plaguing all reservations is meth use. I've seen personally seen firsthand the destruction meth impacts people's lives. I will start by saying; it does not discriminate and is not only found in reservation communities. If there was ever an issue that the state and the tribes should band together on, it is to combat meth within our state. Rampant meth use has exposed the severe lack of law enforcement, their facilities and funding. The influx of meth related cases have overwhelmed our Tribal judicial systems and have uncovered a severe lack of funding in those areas.

This issue has also made us aware that at least here in Lower Brule, our law enforcement codes are severely outdated. This is an area that is vital when it comes to dealing with perpetrators because if we were to get into MOUs and MOAs with other tribes and state agencies, our code must meet or exceed their standards. As tribal leaders begin efforts to combat meth use, I applaud Harold Frazier and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe on implementing the traditional practice of banishment of individuals charged with a meth related crime.

Two other very pertinent topics in Indian Country are Healthcare and Medicaid Expansion. I would like to quote a recent statement made by Senator Mike Rounds this past November:

"The Federal Government must live up to its trust and treaty responsibility to provide quality healthcare to Native American citizens."

He also said, "I encourage all South Dakotans to also acknowledge the hardships they have faced throughout history and those they continue to face today. The healthcare crisis at I.H.S. is just one example or how the government has failed to follow through on its obligation to tribal members; I will continue to fight to fix this problem."

I completely agree, and we as tribes, support Senator Round's request for an audit of the Indian Health Service so we can work together to provide solutions to the lack of quality healthcare our people deserve.

On the topic of Medicaid expansion, I humbly ask this Legislature follow Senator Rounds' lead in improving Quality Health Care by expanding Medicaid in South Dakota. I encourage the state, under Medicaid expansion to work directly with Tribes to increase their ability to provide Medicaid services in order to achieve additional cost savings as well as a social return on that investment. Working together, we can build the capacity of the tribes across the state to have trained Medicaid billing personnel. A quality tribal healthcare workforce that is responsive to our communities and increased Medicaid services being provided on tribal lands is attainable through the collaboration of federal and tribal resources. We can work together to save the State of South Dakota money and more importantly to SAVE the lives of our Native American people.

Before exploring combined efforts against issues such as meth & healthcare, as well as the many issues I've failed to mention; the relationships between the tribes and state need to be improved upon and solidified with frequent and relevant conversations as well as actions beyond those conversations.

In my early years of serving on the Tribal Council, I was fortunate enough to have met a man who played a vital role in not only reconciling but establishing that relationship. On April 19, 1993 Chairman Jandreau and I were traveling to Minneapolis to promote economic development in Lower Brule. We were on I-90 by Kanaranzi, MN when I decided to turn the radio on. Out of the silence came a ladies voice. Distressed and out of breath she announced "it is confirmed, South Dakota Governor George Mickelson's plane went down near Dubuque, Iowa. It appears there were no survivors, we will keep you posted as news comes in". Then silence. It was truly one of those moments where you distinctly remember where you were when you heard the news.

As we traveled in silence I remembered that the Governor and Chairman didn't always see eye to eye but they had a profound mutual respect for one another. Then, out of the silence, in a sorrowful tone, Michael said "you know, the Governor was really trying to do something for our people." I had been fortunate to have met George Mickelson a few times, and on those occasions Rolland Dolly who was on the plane that fateful day was usually with him. They had reached out to our tribe and I vividly remember sitting in the meetings with them thinking that the Governor was a big man. I was also thinking "this is Rolly Dolly the track star, a fellow Lyman County resident who was considered to be one of the fastest guys in South Dakota at one time." I was a lot younger and inexperienced then, I still am and I will be the first to admit that I am still learning from other Tribal leaders, professionals, and from the youth and elders. I have been most fortunate however, to have been influenced by leaders such as Chairman Jandreau and Governor Mickelson.

The Governor had a profound vision of reconciliation and he proclaimed it. Sharing in his vision of true reconciliation, I recently spoke at a memorial event with the "Dakota 38+2 Riders" that starts in Lower Brule and ends in Mankato MN, which honors the historical significance of the largest mass execution in US history. Being invited to this memorial gathering was significant to me because if you look four generations prior to my father, there is a man named "Wakin-ya-wa" (Little Thunder) whose name was listed as one of the 38+2 men who were executed on December 26, 1862. The founder of this memorial ride stated that he dedicates the ride to the true reconciliation of Indian and Non Indian people in our country. What struck me about his message was we must forgive!! We don't necessarily have to forget, but in order to reconcile we must forgive.

After proclaiming the year 1990 the "Year of Reconciliation" between Indian and non-Indians in South Dakota, Governor Mickelson laid the foundation of what we now call State and Tribal relations. In his proclamation he acknowledged two tragic historical events of our people; the death of Sitting Bull and the Wounded Knee massacre which occurred in the state's infancy. He encouraged both Indian and non- Indian people to lay aside our differences, our mistrust and begin a process of mutual understanding that would continue to grow in the next hundred years. Though it has only been nearly 30 years ago, his proclamation was a brave and bold step at that time.

Since then there has been some shining examples of how state and tribal people can move forward together. One would be the Mni Wiconi West River/Lyman Jones rural water project.

Another would be the Wakiya Initiative established by President Barry Dunn and his team at SDSU to encourage and promote higher education achievement among Native Americans in

our state. That's only to name a couple! We are all proud of the fact that Dr. Dunn is also a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

Now if you were to ask me what I think about reconciliation, I would say to start; we can use fair and accurate media coverage when it comes to Native Americans and our issues. I say this because my first experience decades ago as the Governor began reconciliation efforts; I fielded a call from a reporter asking for comment on this issue. I said something to the effect of "Fostering an environment of mutual understanding; which starts with acknowledging our peoples past and honoring our treaties would be a start." I did say what's done is done; I believe reconciliation can be achieved if we can truly understand one another first. After forty minutes on the phone, he only quoted me as saying "what's done is done, we can move on from here." A comment taken out of context, understandably offended other tribal leaders. Of course I had to explain the whole situation to Chairman Jandreau. What he said to me is a lesson I am learning to this day. "I'm going to tell you something my nephew, when you say something it isn't yours anymore. Especially when it comes to the press. There is power in the pen, they can make you look good; or they can tear you down." No words have rang truer regarding the press coverage of our reservation these past few years.

In closing I would encourage you to really take the time and read Governor Mickelson's Proclamation; a document that that helped pave the way for true progress between Indian and non- Indian relations in our great state. This Proclamation hung on the wall above Chairman Jandreau's desk till his final day.

When it comes to State/Tribal relations there is a blueprint in that document. If we follow this blueprint; only then we can truly engage in combined efforts as we move forward for all the residents in our state.

Mitakuyape, my relatives "Remember we are in this together, we are all neighbors and in the end we are all South Dakotans"!!!