Since I've been back, a lot of folks are talking about the 'Beer Dumping, verbal racial slurs' incident that occurred at a Rapid City Rush hockey game at the Civic Center.

The news rocked the Native American communities when it happened, and people across the state were utterly outraged at how something like this could happen.

And then the news comes down mid-week that the man who had been accused of such crimes was going to be charged with Disorderly Conduct, a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

As the news was unveiled, I think I heard a collective gasp from every member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and every other member of any of the MANY tribes we have here in South Dakota.

Are you kidding me?

I think so many people were expecting more. The incident seemed like a clear and definable moment, where the state of South Dakota had a real opportunity to send a clear message that racism is not ok and those perpetrating that kind of behavior, will be prosecuted to the fullest intent of the law.