West River Eagle

Political Voices: Bordeaux’s Weekly Report



Hau mitákuyepi na mitakolapi, iyuha caŋté wastéya nape ciuzápelo. Hello relatives, friends and neighbors, I extend my hand to you with good feelings from my heart and report to you on the 96th legislative session.

I had the honor of introducing President Kevin Killer of the Oglala Sioux Tribe last week in the House chamber, along with tribal council members, Bernardo Rodriguez, Jr. and Gerald Cournoyer, Jr., who were there for their second time to testify in the Senate. It is good to see the President taking necessary time out of his schedule to come to Pierre and be heard. We need to see our leaders from all the tribes send someone to represent us and testify in committees. It is more important now than ever, as those in state government continue to target our people and try to marginalize us, whether it be on pipeline issues, legislation affecting us, tribal checkpoints, or sovereignty in general. We need all hands on deck.

With the $350M one-time extra money we have as a state, we are hearing a lot of proposals to spend the monies on various projects; like one we heard this past week in Transportation committee. For 13 years a plan for an extension on the Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills has been going and they want the legislature to fund a 15-mile connection to Mt. Rushmore — through our treaty lands. I asked them if they talked to any of the tribes, especially the 1868 Treaty tribes, or if they contacted the Tribal Historical Preservation Officers (THPOs). They said they have a native on the committee that is planning the trail. I said they would need to have a resolution of support from the tribes before I could support it. It passed by one vote and will advance to the House floor.

Flag legislation aimed at covenants in Sioux City communities would require that flags flown outside private homes can only fly an American flag and an appropriate military flag flown beneath. No tribal flags or any other flags could be flown. I had to oppose this and speak when this came up, as I have had veterans at home tell me that even the schools should fly the Rosebud Sioux Tribal flag on the top, with the US and SD flags flying below it, when all three are flying. This wouldn’t be allowed under the proposed legislation — which passed the House despite my objection. I don’t agree that veterans, and others proud of their tribal affiliation, should not be allowed to fly a tribal flag on their own property across our state. I testified that our people have served in the military in higher numbers per capita than any other group and we should be allowed the freedom to choose to represent our tribes’ flags too.

The last thing I want to share is the good work of two of our State Tribal Relations Committee members. They convinced the Governor of California to overturn the early release of a convicted murder felon of an Oglala tribal member. Shantel Haynes, whose mother was murdered in 1997, addressed the committee back in last fall. She asked the committee to support her efforts to overturn the early release of her mother’s murderer and the committee voted to support her unanimously. Then the two legislators and daughter met with the California governor who was convinced to overturn his decision. I was very impressed with the bipartisan effort led by these two native legislators, which illustrates the power of these state committees. Good job Representatives Pourier and St. John, way to go!

I would like to encourage everyone to check out our daily session or any committee hearings that interest you. Also, go to SDLRC on your computer to find information about bills and hearings that are taking place now or have taken place. I thank all of you for your time and attention. Contact me if there is anything I can do for you at my office, 605-856-8241, or email me at Shawn.Bordeaux@sdlegislature.gov. Thanks to the good folks at the West River Eagle for allowing me to report to the public.

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