But the Big Idea appeared to die with Mickelson. Ten years after the Year of Reconciliation, a different South Dakota governor, Bill Janklow, dismissed as “garbage” a federal report that shined a light on serious racial tensions simmering throughout South Dakota.

Any gains we’d made, it seemed, were fleeting.

But there is one measurable remnant of the Year of Reconciliation - one indication that those efforts in 1990 weren’t for naught. South Dakota still is the only state in the nation to replace Columbus Day* with a day honoring Native American history and culture. We observe that day Monday.

Barack Rocks The Rez Tour

A few Natives in Flandreau have set about chartering a bus and recruiting other Democrats who want to attend the National Democratic Convention to hear Barack Obama give his acceptance speech to a crowd of 75,000 people at the Denver Broncos stadium on August 27th.

The dates of the trip are August 25-28, 2008, departing August 25th from Flandreau's Royal River Casino at 8:00 am. Bill Gilbert, FSST Tribal member had an idea to get Democrats to the convention. With the help of his sister, Helen Gilbert, they've reserved a Reading Bus out of Minnesota to get there. The bus will carry 50 Democrats to the convention, cost per person is $150.00. T-shirts, and bumperstickers "Barack Rocks The Rez" designed by Lynn 'Smokey' Hart, enrolled with the Yankton Sioux Tribe will be for sale for $20.00.

A tent city will be set up close to the stadium within walking distance to a number of events and activities planned for the week. Riders are limited to two bags, including tent and chairs or are soley responsible for making and paying for their own hotel and car reservations. Payment by money order only, sent to Helen Gilbert, PO Box 42, Flandreau, SD 57028, cell number 605-864-0465, email hwheelz2003@yahoo.com, if riders have questions. If riders are interested in purchasing a Barack Rocks The Rez T-shirt and bumper sticker for $20.00, please include size and separate money order payment, make M/O out to Lynn Hart. Merchandise will be available to riders on August 25th at Royal River. Stadium ticket availability and price will be available soon, riders can access convention information at the Democratic National Committee Convention website. Out of town riders can make reservations at Royal River Hotel by calling 1-800-833-8666.

"We would encourage everyone to bring a tribal flag if they are able. Our hope is that on learning about our tour that other tribes will organize a bus of their own and caravan with us to Denver. This is a historic event, we'd like to show our support for Obama". Helen Gilbert

I don't think this received much play when it originally was announced in May but I thought it should be posted since it featured a South Dakotan and it is a worthy cause.

CHICAGO, May 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network, is showcasing a week long photo essay in an effort to spotlight the many faces of hunger in America. Each day, a powerful image of an American who relies on one of the nations food banks for their next meal, is revealed in the week long photo essay. Congress is currently debating a new version of the expired 2007 Farm Bill that is necessary to bring much needed relief to 35 million hungry Americans.

Today's Photo:

Philomen, Mission, South Dakota

Life on the Rosebud Indian Reservation is difficult for Philomen. He lives in Mission, South Dakota, which has a population of 900 and is located in one of the five poorest counties in the United States. Mission, with its limited infrastructure and isolated location, offers little in terms of jobs or opportunities for advancement. "Some days, it's hard to earn a dollar in this town," Philomen says. But thanks to the work of a local soup kitchen that receives product and assistance from the Community Food Banks of South Dakota and America's Second Harvest, he gets a hot meal several times a week, and the support and encouragement of friends and neighbors. For Philomen, and thousands of other individuals across South Dakota, the food they receive through the America's Second Harvest network provides the nourishment to survive and hope for a better future.

To learn more about how you can help, please visit www.sdfoodbanks.org

My friend Pat Powers at SD War College has a minor stroke about Gov. Mike Rounds proposing a buffer zone around Bear Butte State Park in the northern Black Hills.  Pat thinks it is an establishment of religion and more importantly—GASP!—violates landowner rights, which, of course, are much more important than any other right.

• Read:  Governor: A permanent buffer should be created around Bear Butte to protect this “sacred site”.The Framers: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
  

Technorati Tags: Bear Butte, Bear Butte State Park, Gov. Mike Rounds, South Dakota, zoning, buffer zones, religions, Lakota, Black Hills

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• Read: Floyd Red Crow Westerman Has Passed On

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Here’s my latest posting on KELOLAND.com—Native American Day: More Than A Day Off

An excerpt:

Today, Native American Day (Columbus Day to the rest of the USA), is another of those goofy Monday holidays for the “other” holidays that aren’t Christmas, Thanksgiving, or the 4th of July.

For some of us, it’s just another day off, a three day weekend.  For still others, it is just another day of work.

But the fact that South Dakota changed the name of the holiday from the butcher’s/imperialist’s name to celebrate our state’s indigenous peoples is significant.  …

I have received a tip that there were large layoffs at the Sioux San IHS Hospital in Rapid City and the Pine Ridge IHS Hospital.

My tipster says that 20 temporary status workers at Sioux San and 60 at Pine Ridge were summarily terminated Friday afternoon.

These are long time but temporary status employees.  Apparently there were cuts all across the nation in the IHS system.

My tipster said that the Bush Administration has done this as back door cost savings measure.

I’ve alerted some of my buddies in the SDMSM to check on this.  If you’ve heard anything, let me know. 

A play about convicted murderer Leonard Peltier?

Whether it is good, bad, or indifferent, I don’t see it playing in South Dakota any time soon.  Maybe we should all see it, whatever our views on Peltier’s guilt or innocence, but man, this is going to reopen some major wounds in our state.

A blurb from today’s Argus Leader:

Leonard Peltier’s story hits the stage
Jun. 13, 2007
Leonard Peltier’s struggle for freedom is hardly a fresh story. For the past three decades he’s been serving two consecutive life terms for a 1975 shooting on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation that resulted in the death of two FBI agents.

And here is a clip of a montage of the play from YouTube:

Above: January 9, 2001: A protest outside the U.S. Consulate in Calgary. We were calling for outgoing U.S. president Bill Clinton to pardon political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Photo used under Creative Commons License courtesy Grant Neufeld via Flickr.

Here is an excerpt from my TV Bloggin review of HBO’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee that aired last night:

I had high hopes for HBO’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

As I had written here previously,the film is largely set in what is now South Dakota, my home state, and dealt with some the most notable events in its history–the Wounded Knee Massacre–and one of its greatest citizen–Sitting Bull.

Instead of the straight forward approach that Dee Brown took in his brilliant and society-changing history that the film is allegedly based, we have a jumble of events and a character that isn’t even in her book–Dr.Charles Eastman, a “civilized” Native American who basically sells out his people… .

From the S.D. Peace and Justice Center:

HB1227 prohibits alcohol licenses within 4-miles of Bear Butte but does not affect bars in Sturgis.

 

Bottom line: The opponents of the Bear Butte Bill are putting financial gain and power ahead of what is best for the long-term progress of South Dakota. Protecting the sacredness and environmental significance of the area surrounding Bear Butte has more value than selling more booze.

 

Local government officials say Keep the decisions about liquor licenses at the county commission level. Excuse me? Their decisions have thus far been appalling!! Get the decisions relating to Bear Butte OUT of their hands because they aren’t thinking beyond providing for drunken revelry and desecrating the few gifts Meade County has—-open spaces, silence, grand vistas, and a sacred place.

 

Opponents of HB1227: Rep. Larry Rhoden and Senator Kenneth McNenny, both from District 29, which includes Bear Butte; Dean Wink, Chair of the Meade County Board of Commissioners, whose district includes Bear Butte and the majority of Meade County; Kirk Chaffee, Director of Meade County Equalization Office and Meade County resident.

 

According to Chaffee, the 4-mile buffer zone equates to some 57,000 acres or 92 square miles and urged lawmakers to maintain the issue within the local Meade County level. Wink claimed the international scope that the issue has been called is an attempt to circumvent local government.

Other opponents testifying included Rod Woodruff, owner of the Buffalo Chip Campground, Ronald Olinger, South Dakota Retailers Association, and Michael Kenyon, South Dakota Department of Revenue and Regulation (the state office that issues the liquor licenses once the county approves them), who maintained liquor licensing as local level issues.

Bear Butte Bill Undecided Until Tuesday

by Anne White Hat

 

PIERRE - Thursday morning’s House Local Government Committee hearing was standing room only as testimony for House Bill 1227, known as the Bear Butte Bill, ran over the allotted 15 minutes for each side so the discussion and vote by legislators was delayed until next Tuesday, February 13th at 10 a.m CST at the State Capitol in Pierre.

The bill would prohibit the issuance of alcohol licenses within a four-mile radius of Bear Butte. While the proposed buffer zone encompasses the municipality of Sturgis, those licenses within the city limits would be not affected. All campgrounds, amphitheatres and bars that have been developed east of Sturgis and at the foot of Bear Butte would be affected by this legislation. The same legislation was introduced and killed by the Local Government Committee last year.

The Bear Butte legislation was presented by State Representative Jim Bradford, D-Pine Ridge, District 27, which encompasses the Pine Ridge Reservation. Rep. Bradford has introduced Bear Butte legislation annually during his four terms in office, calling for protection and return of Bear Butte to tribal management.

Rep. Tom VanNorman, D-Eagle Butte, District 28A, which includes the Cheyenne River Reservation, co-sponsor of H.B. 1227 also urged fellow legislators to pass the bill out of committee and on to the House floor.

Testimony was also heard from Gene Blue Arm, Anne White Hat, Nancy Hilding, Renata Thibault, and Senator Tom Katus. Randi Gullikson and Taira Little spoke in favor as well. Many others were there in support of the bill.

Opponents of the bill who testified included Lorin Pankratz, South Dakota Association of County Commissioners who said he would agree to disagree on the issue.

Dean Wink, Chair of the Meade County Board of Commissioners, whose district includes Bear Butte and the majority of Meade County, claimed the international scope that the issue has been called is an attempt to circumvent local government. Wink voiced concerns about private property rights and potential decrease of land value, and the promotion of free enterprise. He said the Meade County is looking at district zoning in three areas including the Ellsworth area, Piedmont and the I-90 corridor, as well as Bear Butte.

Kirk Chaffee, Director of Meade County Equalization Office and Meade County resident, provided maps outlining the proposed buffer. According to Chaffee the 4-mile buffer zone equates to some 57,000 acres or 92 square miles. He also urged lawmakers to maintain the issue within the local Meade County level.

Other opponents testifying included Rod Woodruff, owner of the Buffalo Chip Campground, Ronald Olinger, South Dakota Retailers Association, and Michael Kenyon, South Dakota Department of Revenue and Regulation (the state office that issues the liquor licenses once the county approves them), who maintained liquor licensing as local level issues.

Rep. Larry Rhoden and Senator Kenneth McNenny, both Republicans from District 29, which includes Bear Butte urged the committee to reject the H.B. 1227.

On Friday, the eastern South Dakota based newspaper, the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls conducted an online poll on the issue. The paper reported on Saturday that 53% voted YES to ban alcohol sales within four miles of Bear Butte, while 46% voted against the measure.

Those interested can contact the Local Government Committee members Gassman, David B. Halverson, Clayton Hanks, Alan Chair Howie, Gordon K. Vice-Chair Kirkeby, Mark Koistinen, Al Lucas, Larry Nelson, Paul Olson, Betty Olson, Russell Pitts, Carol Rounds, Tim Sigdestad, David before Tuesday to voice your concerns.

legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2007/comm22.htm

You can hear the testimony at the same website above, see Minutes, or go to:

legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2007/cmmn22.htm

 

Deb McIntyre, Director

South Dakota Peace & Justice Center
PO Box 116
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
605-743-5647
www.sdpjc.org

technorati tags:peace, justice, bear, butte, liquor, booze, licenses, sturgis, rally, south, dakota

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Through the years, I’ve gone back and forth whether AIM activist Leonard Peltier was unjustly sentenced for the murder of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

In my younger days, I was convinced he was framed. Today, I think maybe he killed the agents. I do have problems with how the trial played out.

But if you do support freedom for Leonard Peltier, which many of my Lefty friends do, I don’t think an editorial from the Tehran (Iran) Times helps the cause.

Read: Time to bring Leonard Peltier home

Excerpt: 

By Hamid Golpira
Enough is enough is enough and it is time to bring Leonard Peltier back home. He has suffered enough after 31 years in prison for a crime he did not commit…

When Iran gives us back our embassy and apologizes for taking our fellow Americans hostage (and apologizes to them and gives them reparations), then maybe I’d be willing to listen to them about Peltier.

technorati tags:peltier, AIM, iran, FBI, south, dakota

Blogged with Flock

And the white folks say, "&^$# blizzard!"I've been reading quite a bit of South Dakota history lately.  I have to do come up with all those wonderful gems in "This Big Day in South Dakota History." 

One of the things that has struck me is that starting with white settlement of South Dakota in 1800s, you start to read about how horrible our winters are and about terrible blizzards.  This continues through today as KELOLAND-TV tries to scare the bejesus out of us whenever there is more than two inches of snow forecast.

What is interesting is what I have NOT come across.  Lakota/Dakota/Nakota, Cheyenne, Arikara, Pawnee, or Omaha complaints about winter in this area.  Admittedly, maybe I'm not reading the right sources.  But the major histories of South Dakota seem to be lacking in bitching and whining from Native Americans about bad winters and blizzards. Maybe they banished weatherman Jay Trobec's great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather from their midst after the fourth or fifth normal snowstorm that he tried to turn into "Blizzard 1843."  I don't know.

If there is anyone out there with more knowledge than I have about how our local Native American nations described and coped with winter (and if they complained about it), send me an email or post a comment here.

Perhaps our Native American friends were and are just made of sterner stuff than us white folks.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not a fan of blizzards unless they lead to a day off from work.  But I also realize that by living in South Dakota, dealing with snow, cold, and blizzards are problems I have voluntarily chosen.  Bad winter weather is not a surprise but a given. 

Ok, so maybe "happy" isn't the right term.  Maybe "solemn" or "thoughtful" would be better.

But I think "happy" is appropriate.

The late Governor George Mickelson changed the Columbus Day holiday to Native American day during his term.  I think that is very significant and symbolic.  From celebrating a butcher of native peoples to celebrating our own native peoples.

It was a part of his heartfelt desire that non-Indians and Indians in our state reconcile and get to know each other better.

Many schools that do meet today will have Native American related programs. 

The Lakota/Dakota/Nakota nations, the Cheyenne, the Arickara, and other tribes who called South Dakota home also built South Dakota and have shared with us a great culture.

That the White/Indian experience was often not only contentious but lethal cannot be overlooked.  Neither can the injustices done to our Native American brothers and sisters.

But today, we can celebrate our differences and our similarities and now, our shared destinies as South Dakotans. 

And that, I think, is something worth celebrating. 

Earlier this week, I made my first appearance as an attorney in a tribal court.  I appeared before Judge B.J. Jones in the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Court in Agency Village on a domestic TRO matter.

I am also admitted to the Yankton Sioux and Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Courts but have not had the opportunity yet to appear in their courts on matters.

While much more informal than the state and federal courts that I usually practice in, I was very impressed with the SWO Tribal Court's process.  Judge Jones was polite, low key, and attentive.  His rulings on objections and evidentiary issues were quick, fair, and logical.  He treated the parties and counsel with great politeness.

In an emotional case like a domestic TRO, I was surprised at how polite and low key the witnesses were.  Testimony was almost at a whisper  The tribal advocate representing the other party was well prepared, professional, and respectful of witnesses, the court, and me.

What struck me about the process was that everyone was going to take the time it took to get to the truth.  Typically, in state court, these type of cases are run very quickly, with judges impatient to get through their often lengthy dockets.

What seemed to be missing from the process was ego--by the judge, by counsel, by the parties--that I often find in state and federal courts.  Justice seemed to be the major concern, not grandstanding.

It was refreshing.

I don't have a decision yet by the judge.  However it goes, I believe my client received a fair hearing in a fair process by a fair judge in a thoughtful and respectful manner.  While attorneys sometimes look down on tribal courts, my perspective was that the SWO Tribal Court could teach our state and federal courts a few things on how to de-escalate the ego and tension involved in adjudicating disputes.  Perhaps their approach is cultural.  Whatever the reason, it was great to witness and to be a part of.