From left to right:Paula Antoine, Troy Heinert, Shawn Bordeaux and Tyrone Big Crow. Photo by VI Waln / Lakota Country Times
New South Dakota Tribal Relations Committee
By Lakota Country Times Staff The State Tribal Relations Committee of the South Dakota Legislature has recently elected State Senator Troy Heinert (D-District 26-Mission) as Chairman and State Representative Shawn Bordeaux (D-District 26A-Mission) as Vice Chair. The election for these two year terms was held on April 23 in Pierre. Both Senator Heinert and Representative Bordeaux are Rosebud Sioux Tribal Members. The newly elected Chair, Senator Heinert called the work of the committee important and inter-generational. “Our focus will involve how to move race relations forward in South Dakota with a long-term view in mind,” stated Heinert. “We must redefine our mission from the previously stated ‘year of reconciliation’ to a ‘generation of reconciliation.’ Generations before us started us on this path of reconciliation. Our commitment must be to keep moving forward and to make things better for those who follow us.” At the first meeting of the newly formed State Tribal Relations Committee an update on Indian Education was given by Dept. of Education Deputy Secretary Mary Stadick Smith. Other presentations were given from Department of Social Services, Dept. of Corrections, and Secretary Steve Emery gave an update on behalf of the Department of Tribal Relations. There are ten members of the legislature assigned to the State Tribal Relations Committee. In addition to Sen. Heinert and Rep. Bordeaux, the other eight members include: Sen. Jim Bradford (D-District 27-Pine Ridge), Rep. Steve Hickey (R-District 9-Sioux Falls), Rep. Kevin Killer (D-District 27-Pine Ridge), Rep. Liz May (R-District 27-Kyle), Sen. Betty Olson (R-District 28-Prairie City), Sen. Ernie Otten (R-District 6-Tea), Rep. Lee Qualm (R-District 21-Platte) and Sen. Craig Tieszen (R-District 34-Rapid City). The Governor has also recently announced the members of the Native American Student Achievement Advisory Council. The council will work to identify way to improve achievement and graduation rates among South Dakota’s Native American students. The findings will be reported to the Legislature and the Governor by Dec. 1, 2015. The two state legislators serving on the committee are again Rep. Shawn Bordeaux and Senator Troy Heinert. The first meeting was held April 28-29 in Pierre. Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter.
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