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|Editor's column
Sota Volume 45 Issue No. 34
Anpetu Iyamni, August 28, 2014
Inside this Edition –
Part One: "Grassroots Solutions for a Better Community" forum held at Tribal admin building last Wednesday
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Healthy Kids column subject for everyone's attention
Dakotah Language Revitalization Day this Wednesday, August 27th
SWO Reservation Election Board to hold public forums on Machine Ballot-Counting: Two dates Sept. 4 or 16
Free business training for Native American artists at SWC
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign underway
Bush Foundation supports Oceti Sakowin Power Project
Oyate Blood Drive Thursday at admin building
SWO annual elderly picnic held at Memorial Park, Sisseton last Friday
Award-winning Bluedog Blues Band has ties to Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate!
Deadline for receipt of copy for consideration is 12:00 noon Fridays
Dakotah Language Revitalization, Appreciation Day this Wednesday
Agency Village, SD - The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate is pleased to announce that August 27, 2014 has been proclaimed as Dakotah Language Revitalization and Appreciation Day in the State of South Dakota by Governor Dennis Daugaard. The current proclamation is the second proclamation of its kind. The first was issued ten years earlier by then-Governor M. Michael Rounds and it declared August 27, 2004 as the first Dakotah Language Revitalization and Appreciation Day.
This is a small, yet momentous, step in the actualization of Governor Mickelson's vision of reconciliation initiated before his untimely death.
Dakotah, Lakotah and Nakota represent the three branches of the language that was commonly referred to as "Sioux." The dialects of this first language of the State of South Dakota are still spoken today, but by a greatly decreased number. Then-Senator Daschle put it very succinctly when he gave a speech on the floor of the US Senate, on July 22, 2004:
"Students who broke the English-only rules were punished harshly; many were beaten, some even to death. It was a sad, brutal chapter in our nation's history in which the United States Government and other institutions tried to strip Indian children of their tribal identities . . . many of those languages are on the verge of extinction today."
The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate plans to seek legislative sponsors for a bill recognizing Dakotah, Lakotah and Nakota as additional officials languages of the State of South Dakota in addition to the English language.
According to Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Chairman, Robert Shepherd:
"This Proclamation shows good faith by the Governor in one of many steps towards accomplishing the reconciliation efforts Governor Mickelson had envisioned. While there is much to do, proclaiming August 27, 2014 as 'Dakota Language Revitalization and Appreciation Day' is a positive start. South Dakota will be celebrating its 125th year of statehood and that celebration needs to include all the history, good and bad so we can recognize and understand to begin the healing process that needs to take place to achieve the much needed reconciliation of South Dakota and the Oceti Sakowin. I am also hopeful that this Proclamation will lead the efforts to recognizing the Dakotah, Lakotah and Nakotah as additional official languages of the State of South Dakota."
For more information, contact Tammy DeCoteau at the Dakotah Language Institute, 605-698-8302, email@example.com.
Part One of a Two-Part series –
"Grassroots Solutions for a Better Community"
By CD Floro
Sota Editor
SWO Meth Prevention Coordinator Crystal Owen organized the first in a series of community meetings last week to address the out-of-control increase in substance abuse and addiction. While principally focused on the spike in meth use, there are other illegal as well as prescription drugs being abuses. And still, as for decades, the number one substance abused on the Lake Traverse Reservation is alcohol.
Representatives of the federal government, state, county and local law enforcement and government were invited to participate. Also invited were Tribal and non-Tribal program persons and clergy, as well as all interested community members.
When we first took a seat in the Tribal Council Chambers at TiWakan Tio Tipi, the scene was disappointing. Few chairs were filled.
But remember, Indian time usually means things get going "after awhile" (does not always mean that, I like to point out, an event can begin early if everyone is there and prepared!).
Gradually, the Chambers filled, and there was a good turnout by the time Crystal called the meeting to order.
Most of Tribal Council was present, although the Executives had other commitments.
Tribal, IHS programs were very well represented, and US Attorney Brandon Johnson was on hand representing the federal, Department of Justice interest in our community.
Noticeably absent, but invited, were the following: probation officers of surrounding counties; county prosecutors; circuit court judges, county sheriff's offices, and local school superintendents.
But it still was a good crowd, with everyone sharing the pessimism and hope we are facing at what is obviously a critical moment in our problems of addiction.
Rather than pointing fingers, why isn't more being done by "you," there seemed respect and willingness to work cooperatively – the only way substantive headway can be made against the monster of addiction.
Watch for a notice of the next in this series of meetings, tentatively set for Wednesday, September 10th.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Crystal Owen at 698-3070.
(Note: Watch next week for "part two" for more photos and an in-depth look at what was shared at last week's first session.)
Health Kids Column –
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
By: Sonia J. Magat, D.O., Ph.D.
The abuse of prescription drugs in the United States is the fastest growing drug problem, reaching epidemic levels in 2012, as reported by the Center For Disease Control (Jan 13, 2012).There is also a 75% increase in heroin use between 2007 to 2011 which was linked to prescription opioid abuse. Opioid misuse is highest among individuals aged 20 to 64 years. The illicit drug use among pregnant teens was 16.2% and 7.2% among pregnant women 18 to 25 years (Journal of the American Medical Association, May 9, 2012).
During pregnancy, almost all drugs pass from the mother's blood stream through the placenta to reach the fetus. Drugs that cause drug dependence on the mother can also cause the fetus to become addicted. At birth, the baby's dependence to the drug continues when the drug is no longer available. The baby's central nervous system becomes overstimulated, causing withdrawal symptoms.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) refers to the problem that newborn babies experience when withdrawing from exposure to addictive, illegal or prescription drugs while in the mother's womb. The use of opiates by pregnant women in the U.S. increased 5-fold between 2000 to 2009 while the babies born with NAS tripled during the same time period (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2012). Tennessee reported a 10-fold increase in babies born with NAS. About 60 to 80% of newborns exposed to heroin or methadone in utero exhibited NAS symptoms.
The onset of NAS symptoms presents within 72 hours after birth. About 90% of the newborns are treated during the first week (Archives of Disease in Childhood, 97, 2012). Newborns suffering from NAS exhibit many of the following symptoms:
*Irritability (Excessive crying or high-pitched crying)
*Sleep problems
*Excessive sucking
*Hyperactive reflexes (increased muscle tone)
*Rapid breathing
*Poor feeding and slow weight gain
Treatments depend on the drug involved, baby's overall health and whether baby is premature:
*Newborns with severe symptoms may need medications such as methadone or morphine. Doctor may prescribe a drug similar to the one mother used during pregnancy and slowly decrease the dose over time to wean the baby off the drug. Breastfeeding may be helpful.
*Vomiting may cause dehydration. Babies may need fluids through the vein.
*Babies with poor feeding or slow growth may need higher calorie formula and smaller portions given more often
*Tips to calm the infant are: gently rocking the baby, reducing noise and lights, swaddling the baby in a blanket.
The average hospitalization stay for NAS newborns is 16.4 days, compared to only 3.3 days for other newborns. The average cost for the hospital stay for this length of time is $53,400 compared to $9,500 newborns without NAS (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2012).
The complications of drug abuse during pregnancy and exposure of the fetus to the drugs include the following:
*Low birth weights. Amphetamine use during pregnancy is associated with prematurity and low birth weights. Marijuana abuse is also linked to low birth weights and small for gestational age newborn.
*Poor growth, developmental delays learning disabilities and lower IQ are associated with cocaine prenatal use.
*Seizures are more likely to occur in babies of mothers who are methadone users.
*Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is a preventable problem. Women who are pregnant should discuss all medications, alcohol and tobacco use with their health care providers. They should ask help in stopping the use of illicit or prescription drugs as soon as possible. For opiate addiction during pregnancy, the treatment includes methadone maintenance and psychiatric care. Some states have expanded the methadone treatment programs and are using voluntary prescription monitoring programs to identify the patterns of opiate medication use. More public health measures are needed to reduce antenatal exposure to opiates and other illicit drugs all over the U.S., including our reservation area. More federal and state funding may be needed in the future for developmental and behavioral problems in children with history of antenatal exposure to illicit and prescription drugs.
This is one of a series of article written for the Early Childhood Intervention Program. Your questions and comments are welcome.
Bush Foundation supports Oceti Sakowin Power Project
Grant funding to date totals $1.2 million
The Bush Foundation has just announced the award of a Community Innovation grant of $200,000 to the Oceti Sakowin Power Project, to support the seven participating Sioux Tribes in forming a joint Power Authority.
Seven Sioux Tribes - the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Yankton Sioux Tribe - have joined together to form the Oceti Sakowin Power Project, in which the Tribes will combine their efforts and resources to build one of the largest utility-grade wind energy production and Smart Grid facilities in the United States.
The Project will be built by $2-$3 Billion in funding raised by public power revenue bonds issued by the Oceti Sakowin Power Authority. While the bond-financed municipal power model has been used successfully many times in the past, this will be a first in Indian Country. This model will ensure majority ownership by the Tribes while eliminating the need to waive Tribal sovereignty, and at the same time will provide power buyers with dependable contracts managed by professional staff and world-class co-developers.
The Tribes, their pro bono consultants and supporting foundations have been working on this project for more than two years. Below, we provide some additional information about the Oceti Sakowin Power Project:
*The Bush Foundation, based in Minnesota, has been a strong supporter of the OSPP from its very beginning. The Native Nation Building and the Community Innovations programs within the Bush Foundation have provided the funding for multiple Tribal Summit meetings on the Reservations of member Tribes, in Washington DC, and at the Clinton Global Initiative Conference in Chicago, and our current efforts to form the multi-Tribal Oceti Sakowin Power Authority.
*The Northwest Area Foundation, also based in Minnesota, is supporting the business development aspects of the Project, including outreach to potential co-developers, technical consultants, and strategic partners.
*The Manhattan-based Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, which manages grants for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is managing grants for our Project.
*The Clinton Global Initiative has embraced the Oceti Sakowin Power Project as one of its "Commitments." The official public announcement of the Project was made at the CGI-America conference in Chicago in June 2013, where President Bill Clinton described the Project as "one of my favorite Commitments."
*The Arent Fox LLP law firm has been acting as pro bono consultant to the Project for more than two years. The efforts are led by Senator Byron Dorgan and Jon Canis, who have been providing strategic advice, and regulatory and government affairs representation.
*The LIATI Group is a boutique investment banking firm headquartered in New York City that has deep experience in the water and power generation and transmission industries, including municipal bond funding by municipal governments. Michael Geffrard, the President and CEO, has been advising the Project on a pro bono basis for over two years.
*Caroline Herron of Herron Consulting has been providing project management, market analysis, business development and grant writing services to the Oceti Sakowin Power Project on a pro bono basis for more than two years.
Accomplishments to date
* 4 Tribal Summit meetings - in Washington DC, Fort Yates ND, Flandreau SD and Chicago IL, where the Tribes, supporting foundations, outside consultants, federal government officials, and potential strategic partners have met to discuss in detail how best to structure, finance and implement the Project.
*In June of this year, the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association unanimously voted for a Resolution in Support of the Oceti Sakowin Power Project.
*Jjoined the American Public Power Association, which is advising us in designing and forming the Oceti Sakowin Power Authority.
*Engaged in detailed, high-level discussions with a nationally-recognized wind developer/operator to serve as co-developer and operator of our wind farm complex.
*Held detailed discussions with, and received scope-of-work statements and bids from, world-class consultants Tetra Tech (NEPA compliance), the Brattle Group (market studies), AWS Truepower (wind studies) and the Western Area Power Administration (transmission design, implementation, and loan financing).
*In process, or pending, additional grant applications to private foundations and federal government agencies, to obtain the full funding needed to complete the remaining startup work that we need to do before we will be prepared to issue bonds. When we receive the full startup funding, we anticipate we will be able to issue bonds and start construction of the wind farms and transmission systems across the Reservations of the participating Tribes within two years.
You can follow progress on the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors website at http://www.rockpa.org/about-us-sponsored-projects-ospp, or contact any of the Project Tribal Representatives or consultants below:
(For information on Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate: Hazen Thompson-Lamere, email@example.com/.)
Oceti Sakowin logo contest underway
Who We Are
Seven Sioux Tribes - the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Yankton Sioux Tribe - have come together to develop their valuable wind resources into one of the largest utility-grade wind installations in the country.
The key to this effort is a return to the historic model of joint governance and multi-Tribal cooperation - the Oceti Sakowin or the "Seven Council Fires" - by establishing the Oceti Sakowin Power Authority. This allows our Tribes to "go big" and develop over a Gigawatt of green power financed by the Power Authority through the issuance of power revenue bonds, guaranteeing our Tribes a majority ownership interest in the project and ensuring that our Tribes will share appropriately in the proceeds.
This joint effort will help our Tribes to provide for the wellbeing of their people by generating sustainable economic and community development, jobs, and training opportunities in a way that is consistent with our cherished beliefs, traditional ways of life, and rich cultural traditions, while also making a significant contribution in addressing the global crisis in climate change.
What We Are Looking for in Logo Design:
The Oceti Sakowin Power Project needs a new logo and is looking to our local community for ideas. Below are characteristics that should be considered in developing a logo concept.
Design Elements - Logo concepts should reflect any or all of the following:
*Lakota/Dakota/Nakota culture and values
*Wind power or green energy
*Unity and collaboration
Design Principles - Logos must be clean, uncomplicated and suitable for a wide range of uses:
*The logo should be flexible enough to be used in a diverse range of electronic and print media, including a project website, letterhead, presentations, business cards, newsletter, marketing materials, etc.
*The logo will be used for both large images (like T-shirts, tote bags, and other branded items) and small images (like business cards, letterhead, newsletters, marketing materials, etc.).
*Logo designs can use color, as well as include images and/or words.
*The logo will be converted from the "Oceti Sakowin Power Project" to the "Oceti Sakowin Power Authority" once the Power Authority is established - you can include either or both in the design you submit.
The Oceti Sakowin Power Project Will Pay $300 for Selected Logo Designs.
If the Oceti Sakowin Power Project selects your submission, it will pay you $300 for it.
How You Can Submit a Logo Design Proposal:
*Open to All Enrolled Members of the Seven Participating Tribes: Anyone who is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Yankton Sioux Tribe are welcome to submit Logo Designs.
*Materials to Submit: Provide an electronic image of your logo design in any of the following formats: JPEG, PNG, EPS, PDF, PSD, and TIF; and a brief description of what it symbolizes to you.
*How to Submit: Please email your submissions to Caroline Herron at firstname.lastname@example.com
*Deadline for Submissions: All Logo Designs and descriptions must be received by Monday, October 13, 2014 to be considered.
*Number of Submissions: You are welcome to submit more than one Logo Design.
Legal Stuff:
*Selection of Logo Designs will be made by the representatives of the Oceti Sakowin Power Project, at their sole discretion. They may select more than one Logo Design, or they may not select any.
*If your Logo Design is selected by the Oceti Sakowin Power Project, you will be asked to sign a contract that gives the Oceti Sakowin Power Project all rights to the Logo Design. This means:
-The Oceti Sakowin Power Project will own the Logo Design and has the exclusive right to use it.
-The Oceti Sakowin Power Project can modify the Logo, or sell it, if it chooses to.
-You will not be able to use the Logo for any purpose (other than to take credit for designing it).
*The Oceti Sakowin Power Project will give you credit for designing their Logo on its website, and you will retain the right to tell people you designed the Logo, and to use a copy of it for that purpose.
2014 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign
National Crackdown on Drunk Driving
Submitted by Shannon White
SWO Injury Prevention
If drunk driving was eliminated, more than 10,000 lives would be spared each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is calling on thousands of law enforcement agencies to join in the fight against drunk driving. By working together, increasing public awareness and using a no-excuses approach to enforcement, we can send the strong message that drunk driving will not be tolerated.
This year's "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" high-visibility enforcement campaign will run August 15 through September 1, covering the end of summer and the busy Labor Day holiday weekend. Our goal is to present an unmistakable show of force, ready to arrest drunk drivers who put lives at risk.
In 2012, Labor Day weekend (6 p.m. Friday to 5:59 a.m. Tuesday) saw 147 drunk-driving fatalities. To put it in perspective, throughout the year someone is killed in an alcohol-impaired-driving crash every 51 minutes, on average. Over the Labor Day weekend, that statistic jumps to one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 34 minutes. And not surprisingly, nighttime is the worst, with almost half (46%) of all nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) traffic fatalities involving a drunk driver during the Labor Day holiday weekend.
In 2012, the families of 10,322 people were devastated by the tragic, preventable death of loved ones in alcohol-involved crashes. Young drivers (18-34) represent the largest segment of drunk drivers in the United States; among the people killed in drunk-driving crashes over the Labor Day holiday weekend, for example, almost half (45%) were between the ages of 18 and 34. For those under the age of 21 it was illegal to consume alcohol, yet they did drink and, in addition, chose to drive after drinking.
NHTSA data indicates that highly visible enforcement campaigns can reduce drunk-driving fatalities by up to 20 percent. Included here, you'll find the 2014 Products for Enforcement Action Kit (PEAK) with resources to help you in your efforts.
Use this material to support your efforts against drunk driving. Remember that your participation will save lives, so please help remind all drivers to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
For additional information and resources, visit www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Checkpoints
Sisseton-Wahpeton Law Enforcement is participating in a national effort to catch drunk drivers. They are patrolling for longer hours and participating in more sobriety checkpoints. They kicked off the campaign with two checkpoints.
The first checkpoint took place on August 17th at 1:30 a.m. on BIA 700. Officers Torgerson and Padilla and Detention Officer LaFromboise stopped all cars. Injury Prevention staff were on hand to keep stats and provide giveaways. A total of ten cars came through the checkpoint. It was a warm night and all received handheld personal fans.
The second checkpoint took place on August 19th at midnight on BIA 700 near the Roberts County jail. Officers Robertson, Torgerson, Padilla, Roberts County Sheriff's Deputy Miller and Detention Officer LaFromboise stopped all vehicles. Injury Prevention staff were on hand to keep stats and provide giveaways. A total of eighteen cars came through the checkpoint, with one person receiving a seat belt citation. All people who came through the checkpoint received a t-shirt.
The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs until September 1st. There will be several more checkpoints before the end of the campaign. Please be safe during this end of the summer holiday season.
Urgent call for Type O blood donors
United Blood Services has announced an urgent appeal for type O blood donors, joining a growing number of blood centers across the country that are encouraging blood donors to step up and help out during the final weeks of August.
Donors may call 1-877-UBS-HERO (827-4376) or visit www.UnitedBloodServices.org to make a convenient appointment to donate at the upcoming blood drive:
Oyate Thursday, August 28th, 9:15 - 2:00, Tribal Headquarters, Rotunda. Contact - Gypsy Wanna @ 605-742-3809
Only six percent of the population has O-negative blood, yet patients of all blood types can safely receive it. O-positive is the most prevalent blood type-37 percent of the population has it-so it is needed in greater quantities.
"O-negative can be given to anyone in an extreme emergency when there is no time to cross-match the donor's blood with the patient's, or for babies requiring neonatal care," explained Jennifer Bredahl, Regional Donor Recruitment Director , United Blood Services. "If you have type O blood, we are asking for your help, now."
"Every 2-to-3 seconds in this country, someone needs blood. And you never know when you or someone you love will be the one. We all expect blood to be available when we need it, but only a few of those who can give actually roll up their sleeves." Bredahl said.
Anyone who donates at the Oyate blood drive on Thursday, August 28th can register to win an Android Tablet.
Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian available online.
United Blood Services of the Dakotas has offices in Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, ND and Aberdeen, Mitchell, and Rapid City SD, collecting more than 125,000 blood products each year to help save the lives of patients in 93 area hospitals. Together these centers are part of the national United Blood Services network, which helps save and sustain the lives of patients in 18 states.
Free business training to be offered to Native artists
Sisseton-area groups band together to host workshop led by national non-profit organization
Agency Village, SD - Native artists in Eastern South Dakota will have the opportunity to learn how to expand their arts business during a free professional development training in September.
In partnership with the First Peoples Fund, a national Native organization based in South Dakota committed to supporting and honoring Native American artists, Sisseton Wahpeton College will host a free two-day training for artists looking to develop their skills, connections and business models.
The training will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, September 11, and Friday, September 12, 2014, at The Log Cabin at Sisseton Wahpeton College. The training is free to artists, and advanced registration is encouraged at www.firstpeoplesfund.org.
At the training, artists will learn how to market their art, set budgets and pricing structures, develop a business plan, and more. The training will equip Native artist entrepreneurs of all ages with the tools to enhance their skills, said Logan Anderson, program manager for non-profit partnerships at First Peoples Fund.
"We hope they walk away with a better understanding of how their art plays an important role in their community. The training will offer advice on how to break in to new markets, organize and expand," Anderson said. "We offer an instructive step-by-step guide that includes resources, valuable lessons and tips. The information we teach on organizational methods, accounting, keeping track of records, and more is critical to helping artists make a living from their work."
The First Peoples Fund curriculum views the business of art as a way of cultural leadership in communities as well as a viable economic engine for individuals and families.
Mary White-Country, from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe in South Dakota, is a former recipient of First Peoples Fund's Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship who has taken part in previous professional development opportunities led by First Peoples Fund. An artist who does intricate beadwork, she said the trainings she took part in through her fellowship program were instrumental in helping her to professionalize her business, and presentation at the art markets she attends.
"There is not anything like this training offered in our community," White-Country said. "It is a unique opportunity that doesn't come along often. I have been telling the artists I know around the area how critical it is for them to attend, and have been encouraging students at the tribal college to also attend. In fact, even though I have been through the training before, I am going to take it again. There is always something new to learn."
Jane Rasmussen, who serves on the South Dakota Arts Council, said that she has seen the impact trainings like this can have on other Native artists. She pointed to people like Donald Montileaux, who serves on the council with her and has had a long, respected career because he has been able to master the art of his art, and the art of running a business.
"Don is someone who is revered across the state," she said. "If other artists have the opportunity to work with people like him, and see what he has done for himself, his family and his culture, I think others can have similar success too."
Grow South Dakota, Roberts County National Bank, Sisseton Arts Council, Sisseton Economic Development Corporation, and Sisseton Wahpeton College are sponsoring the training.
For more information on the Native Artist Professional Development Training, call Whitney Renville, director of student support services at Sisseton Wahpeton College, at (605) 698-3966 ext. 1130 or visit www.firstpeoplesfund.org.
First Peoples Fund Native Artist Professional Development Training
Thursday, September 11 and Friday, September 12, 2014
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sisseton Wahpeton College Log Cabin
BIA Road 700
Agency Village, South Dakota 57262
SWO elderly picnic held at Memorial Park
The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe held its annual picnic for elderly last Friday at the Tribe's Memorial Park, on the former Tekakwitha grounds at Sisseton.
There was a good crowd for the event. Besides some great food, there were health screenings by Public Health Nurses from the Woodrow W. Keeble Memorial Health Care Center, table with information about the Cobell Land Buy-Back Program, Tribal Census 2014 workers were on hand, and KXSW announce Tom Wilson provided music and comedy to the scene.
Joining Tom was Sal Rock-n-Roll Goodie (Goodteacher).
Considering the age of the elders, Sal's oldies rock songs were a big hit.
SWO Tribal Secretary Robin Quinn, joined by Korbyn Bertsch, did the chef duties for the event.
On a somber note, prayer was offered for longtime grillmaster Ed Godrey, who was not present.
Ed had passed away on his spiritual journey early that day.
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate have ties to top Midwest musicians – Bluedog Blues Band
By CD Floro
Sota Editor
That's correct. Our Sissetonwan Wahpetonwan Dakota Oyate have ties to the Bluedog Blues Band – even though their adopting the name Bluedog was not done because of our BlueDog tiospaye. But members of the BlueDog family are aware of the great music the band does!
I'd like to see our Sissetonwan Wahpetonwan Dakota Oyate "adopt" Bluedog as their own favorite Blues band. And mitakodas everywhere.
Music gives me support for my journey, and I enjoy encouraging especially young people to enjoy music – at whatever level, in whatever way. Hopefully, our Oyate youth can find in Bluedog role models for their own lives.
Ran into Gordon (the "Chuck Berry" of Indian Country") and JoAnne Bird a week ago and talked about Bluedog. Certainly, the Bird Family has mentored many Oyate musicians, and Jackie Bird continues that tradition.
They would approve of what the Bluedog Blues Band is doing.
Take a listen to them when you can, buy a CD, and make certain to come and see them perform live whenever you can.
Some of what appears here comes from the Bluedog's website, some from a visit with them during a practice at their home – what a privilege. Like having a personal concert!
The Bluedog band is the 2010 NAMMY (Native American Music Award) winner in the "Group of the Year" category. The band was originally formed in 2001 by Joni (Weston) and Eric Buffalohead. Bluedog released their debut CD "From All Directions" in April of 2005. The CD was recorded at Oyate Studios in Albuquerque, NM. The CD received two nominations (Best Blues and Debut Recording) from the Native American Music Awards; and was also nominated for the best blues category for the Indian Summer Music Awards. Bluedog released its second CD "A Little White Lie" in December of 2006. This CD was recorded in Minneapolis, MN. The recording received a Native American Music Award nomination for Best Blues recording. In 2010 the band released a single called "Get Up & Get Out"; and, nominated in the Best Blues category for the 2010 Indian Summer Music Awards. "Get Up & Get Out" was also nominated in two categories (Best Blues & Group of the Year) for the 2010 Native American Music Awards (NAMMY's). Bluedog's latest recording, "Just Living the Blues" was released in December of 2011. This CD was recorded at Untouchable Studios in Grand Forks, ND and produced by blues guitarist Little Bobby and Joni.
The music is influenced by life experiences of Native people. Joni says that "Native people have the experience the blues too. For us it reflects a significant part of life for Native people and our relationship with the U.S. government: in the past, present and future. All the pain we've endured from massacres, boarding schools, and forced removal from our homes, etc… all attempts to erase our culture and our people. We are still here. Our music celebrates life, the good and bad."
The band has performed across the United States in support of their original recordings in locations such as: Hollywood, FL (Native American Music Awards), Milwaukee, WI (Indian Summer Music Awards), Toppenish, WA (Yakima Tribal Jam), Minneapolis, MN (Indian Summer Music Festival), and the Thief River Falls, MN (Last Ride Blues Festival 2009 to 2014). The band has fronted notable blues acts including: The Robert Cray Band, Indigenous, Los Lonely Boys, Corey Stevens, John Mayall, Kenny Neal Band, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Coco Montoya, Ana Popovic, Walter Trout, Shannon Curfman, and the Jerry Garcia Band. The Bluedog band is a five member blues/rock band out of Minneapolis, MN.
Members of the Band
Joni (Weston) Buffalohead — Lead Vocal
[Bdewakantowan/Dakota: enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe in South Dakota]
Co-founder and singer-songwriter. Growing up and attending church, Joni did not believe she could sing, she could not hit the high notes as the fellow church ladies. Later in life after becoming a mom she was discovered by her children. When Eric's band toyed with the idea to add female vocals, Joni's children highly recommended Mom to take that slot. After a few months of singing cover songs, Joni started to write music with Eric. This was the beginning of Bluedog.
Eric Buffalohead — Guitar
[Ponca: enrolled member of the White Eagle Southern Ponca Tribe in Oklahoma]
Co-founder and lead guitarist, Eric's 20 years of guitar playing has taken him on a journey of performances in various categories of music including; classic rock, oldies, blues, country and reggae. His real love is the genre of blues and the Bluedog Band has been his chance to play the music that is in his heart.
Alexandra Buffalohead — Keyboard
[Bdewakantowan/Dakota: enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe in South Dakota]
Alex is the youngest member Bluedog lineup. Alex became a member at the age of 16. The daughter of lead vocalist Joni and lead guitarist Eric, Alex has the ability to emulate her mother's voice exactly. She has provided well rounded backing vocals and has put years of piano lessons to good use by playing the keyboard, organ and guitar. But there's no telling what else she may be doing. While watching them practice, Bob wasn't around that night, so Alex sat at the drums for a few songs. (Joni, why in the world do you call this young lady "Big Al?" Doesn't figure.)
Alex and her mom were selected to attend an Indigenous project, the Hopson Lessons in last year for the Blues Women International. The mother-daughter duet came away with what I objectively (don't call my objectivity into question) see as the absolute greatest cut on the compilation album: "I Think He's Cheating This Time." So one of you young guys get it in your mind that you'd like to get to know Alex you'd better understand up front she's not going to stand for any cheating!
Tom Suess — Bass
[Purely mixed European descent, longtime associate (20+ years) of Eric & Joni's]
Learning basic guitar as a young boy in the western burbs of Minneapolis, Tom picked up his first bass in Okinawa while in the Marines and hasn't stopped learning. While drawing on his country, folk and rock upbringing, he is also influenced by pretty much everything he hears from classic & modern blues, jazz, alternative, and new age. In addition to playing the 5-string bass, he also provides backup vocals in addition to occasional lead vocal and harmonica.
Not only is Tom a great musician – for a wasicu (oh no no, just kidding there!) – he is an integral part of the chemistry, the electricity that flows through all these folks when they are performing.
Even in the practice room in the basement of the Buffaloheads' home, that chemistry happens.
It's the invisible force that drives Bluedog's live performances and makes people want to jump up, clap, holler, and dance.
Bob Simons — Drums
[Bdewakantonwan/Dakota/Assiniboine: enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe]. Bob also happens to be a cousin to Joni.
Bob is the newest member of the Bluedog Band. Along with over 30 years experience on the drums, Bob brings to the table a plethora of musical styles, including Rock, Fusion, Funk, R&B and Swing. But it wasn't until playing a gig with The Legendary Blues Band (Muddy Waters' backing band) back in 1986 that Bob became a true disciple of the Blues. Bob's 'windy' interpretation of the Bluedog sound has brought the band's music into to a new dimension.
Bob's drumming is the heartbeat of the Blues for Bluedog. Surely he too is part of that chemistry and carries the rhythm and energy beneath the flow of instruments and vocals.
It's a privilege getting to know these musicians personally.
Shot video of their set during the Owamni Falling Water Festival August 2nd, Fr. Hennepin Bluffs Park, Minneapolis. Music videos are coming from that event, so watch for links on our website, Facebook, and on our YouTube channel Earthskyweb as well as on the band's website http://www.bluedognativeblues.com/.
In her "other, day job" Joni serves as Director of Operations of the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center. Advocacy and outreach is a driving force for Joni.
Here is a brief look at MIWRC:
Mission Statement: "To empower American Indian women and families to exercise their cultural values and integrity, and to achieve sustainable life ways, while advocating for justice and equity."
The Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center (MIWRC) is a non-profit social and educational services organization committed to the holistic growth and development of American Indian women and their families. Founded in 1984, MIWRC provides a broad range of programs designed to educate and empower American Indian women and their families, and to inform and assist those who work providing services to the community.
MIWRC is located in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, which has the third largest urban American Indian population in the United States. MIWRC is the only organization addressing the gender and culturally specific needs of our community.
Programs are developed to reflect the needs of our families, and are tailored to address issues that significantly affect their well-being; such as family services, child advocacy, child care services, legal services, affordable housing, parenting skills, chemical dependency, mental health care, cultural resilience, historical trauma and many other family and community issues.
Our Culturally Sensitive Approach: MIWRC's founders established an organization grounded in community. For the past 30 years, MIWRC has adhered to the philosophy that by impacting families, neighborhoods, communities, society and public policy – not merely by serving individual women – positive and lasting change can happen. The founders of MIWRC emphasized a woman's relationship with her Creator, her children and partner, her extended family, tribe, community and culture. We continue to incorporate this holistic, culturally sensitive approach to our work.
Award Winning Services:
The Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center provides award winning services. Over the past several years, we have been honored by the following:
The 2009 Ann Bancroft Dreammakers Award for Organizational Excellence.
The 2008 American Indian Families Empowerment Project Organizational Excellence Award from the Grotto Foundation.
The 2005 UNCA/Annie E. Casey Family Strengthening Award for Best Practices in strengthening American Indian families.
Bluedog Blues Band Discography
Just Living The Blues - released December 2011
This is the latest CD from Bluedog. This is a 5 song extended play. All music written by Bluedog.
This CD contains Bluedog's single "Get Up Get Out" which was nominated for best blues recording for the Indian Summer Music Awards in July of 2010. Song List
A Little White Lie - released 2006
This is the second CD from the Bluedog band. This 11 song CD showcases the bands exploration of the Blues, Rock and R & B genres.
"A Little White Lie" was recorded at Creation Station Studios in Robbinsdale, Minnesota and produced by Bluedog band members Eric and Joni Buffalohead, and Rev Hillstrom. The lyrics to the CD's 11 songs were written by Joni and Eric Buffalohead. All music written by Bluedog. Song List
From All Directions - released 2005
This recording was double NAMMY nominated. "From All Directions" is chock-full o' some of the best influences of yesterday, in the Blues-Rock arena!
Great blues-rock artists like Stevie Ray (SRV), Lynrd Skynrd and the Allman Brothers influence the songwriting...... With searing Santana-ish guitar work provided by lead player Eric Buffalohead and the over-the-top vocal stylings of Joni Buffalohead, the songs on this incredible new recording are both memorable and fresh, and showcase both of these superb musicians talents.
If you were to take the vocal raunch of Janis Joplin.... The angelic tones of Ella Fitzgerald...... And the soulful-ness of Aretha..... you begin to hear and feel some of what lead singer and lyricist Joni brings to this recording. Add to this the tones of Carlos Santana with the instrumental phrasing of Clapton and you begin to approach the talent of guitarist Eric....
Produced by award winning producer Tony Palmer and recorded at the One Feather Studio Complex in Albuquerque, NM.
Community Appeal workshop in Aberdeen
GROW South Dakota invites community organizations, municipalities, and county government representatives to attend a Community Appeal Workshop on September 10-11, 2014, at the Aberdeen Ramada Hotel and Convention Center. This free community event is sponsored by The Bush Foundation and Northeast Council of Governments. To register for this training event please visit SignUpGenius.com at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044ca4ac2fa4fe3-community or call Paula Jensen at 605-698-7654 Ext 133.
Craig Schroeder, Director of Youth Engagement at the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, and Milan Wall, Co-Director of Heartland Center for Leadership Development will provide an interactive workshop that focuses on the regional issues of mindset and workforce/people attraction which are a starting point to addressing other key factors affecting our region.
The workshop outline will cover the following topics:
*Clearly identifying our strongest people attraction assets based on the region's community capitals framework.
*Defining the target market that is most interested in what we have to offer.
*Creating a compelling brand and message that authentically conveys our strongest assets to the target market.
*Recruiting and training community ambassadors to host people who express interest in visiting or moving to our community or region.
*Engaging with alumni and potential newcomers, emphasizing our target market, and staying connected with them to determine their hometown needs.
*Proactively welcoming new residents and inviting them to become involved as active citizens and leaders.
The majority of the workshop will actively engage the participants in working through a series of activities on the above topics. Then building on these activities, participants will engage in the creation of community/regional action plans for recruiting and training community ambassadors. Each of the activities will be conducted with small group dialog using worksheets and group feedback to guide the participants along the path from an awareness of opportunities to action plans with defined next steps to move their work forward.
Schedule of Events
September 10, 2013 - 1:00 pm-8:00 pm | Community Appeal Workshop (dinner will be served)
September 11, 2013 - 8:00 am-12:00 pm |Community Appeal Workshop (Building Action Plans) and Introduction to Prairie Idea Exchange
All events will be held at the Ramada Hotel & Convention Center of Aberdeen. A block of rooms has been reserved for those attendees needing overnight accommodations. Please mention GROW South Dakota when you are registering to receive the special event rate. For hotel reservations call (605) 225-3600.
If you have additional questions regarding the Community Appeal Workshop, please contact Paula Jensen at GROW South Dakota by email, email@example.com, or by phone at 605-698-7654 Ext 133.
GROW South Dakota strives to reach rural communities to improve the quality of life through housing, community and economic development. Historically, these organizations have invested over $50 million in housing development and $54 million in economic development. For more information about GROW South Dakota's housing and business development programs and services please visit our website at www.growsd.org or call 605-698-7654.
GROW SOUTH DAKOTA is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC 20250-9410.
Grow SD receives Bush Foundation community innovation grant
Sisseton, S.D. - GROW South Dakota, in partnership with Dakotafire Media, has been awarded a Bush Foundation Community Innovation Grant for the implementation of a two-year project called the Prairie Idea Exchange.
This goal of the project is sparking regionwide conversations to help rural communities, especially those in northeastern South Dakota, be more successful in their efforts to create positive change. The project will make use of the expertise of the region's economic development leaders to start the conversations, and it will use the journalism skills and reach of Dakotafire magazine to explain those ideas and spread them across the region. These conversations will continue in online forums and at community events, which will add the voices of community members to the exchange of ideas.
"Prairie Idea Exchange and our partnership with Dakotafire Media fits well with GROW South Dakota's mission of providing the innovative advancement of rural South Dakota communities," says Lori Finnesand, GROW South Dakota Chief Executive Officer.
Heidi Marttila-Losure, Dakotafire Media's publisher and editor, stated, "Dakotafire has a successful model of bringing together weekly newspaper journalists to report on community topics affecting our rural region, and we hope to take that a step further by sparking community conversations and solutions through the Prairie Idea Exchange."
Through its distribution in weekly newspapers, Dakotafire currently reaches about 12,000 households in North and South Dakota. To facilitate a truly regionwide conversation, the Prairie Idea Exchange will expand that distribution to reach more than 30,000 households in northeastern South Dakota.
Each issue will be followed by events in local communities where community members can discuss the ideas presented in the magazine, add their own ideas, and determine which of those ideas could be applied to their own communities. An online forum will provide another format for these conversations to take place.
Established in 2013, the Community Innovation Grant program is designed to inspire and support communities to use problem-solving processes that lead to more effective, equitable, and sustainable solutions. Projects receiving Community Innovation Grants can be at any stage in the problem-solving process, which includes: identifying the need, increasing collective understanding of the issue, generating ideas, and testing and implementing solutions.
"Community Innovation Grant recipients are tackling community problems in a way we believe most likely to result in real breakthrough solutions. They are engaging the community, collaborating with other organizations, and making the most of existing assets; in short, all of the things it takes to create a true community innovation," said Elli Haerter, Bush Foundation North Dakota and South Dakota activities manager.
The Bush Foundation will award nearly $5 million to 34 organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography, through its Community Innovation Grant program. The full list of Community Innovation Grant recipients can be found at BushFoundation.org/2014CIGrants.
GROW South Dakota strives to reach rural communities to improve the quality of life through housing, community and economic development. Historically, these organizations have invested over $50 million in housing development and $54 million in economic development. For more information about GROW South Dakota's housing and business development programs and services please visit our website at www.growsd.org or call 605-698-7654.
Heipa District holds annual wacipi
By Bessie Genia
Sota Reporter/Photographer
Saturday August 16th, was a cloudy day...perfect day to head to Veblen District and attend their annual pow-wow.
A few drums, dancers, and friendly faces lined the new arbor right outside the new district building.
Veblen pow-wow sure can make a pow-wow setting feel so inviting without all the production that most attempt.
We had many intertribals, so every dancer could just dance to dance. Kunsi's watching their takojas "get down," singers honing their skills singing real heart-warming songs. It was a great afternoon session.
Butch Felix announced supper break when the storm suddenly moved in from the east...people retreated to the district building and the dancers outfits were not affected but the sudden downpour-except for my own son.
Supper was served promptly at 5, and it consisted of roast beast, mashed bdos, corn...all smothered in gravy...with a hefty bun.
The rain came down hard on the community so like always - the best was made out of sudden circumstances.
The pow-wow was shifted indoors and people arranged themselves to continue with the festivities.
Grand entry for evening session began around 7 and another great session. Intertribals, and to shake things up the district announced musicals chairs! The children played first to get the adults to warm up and practice their skills. Next to play were one singer from each drum group that was there, and those boys didn't disappoint. Next were the ladies...all trying to stay modest while fighting for a seat.
It was a really great pow-wow and a total shame my family and I couldn't make it there for Sundays session but I'm sure it went as well as this day.
Wopida Tanka to all who came and had some fun, and pidamiye Veblen District. Can't wait until next year.
Federal funds to help combat Veteran homelessness
Minot, ND – August 11, 2014 – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $900,000 in federal funds to the North Dakota Coalition of Homeless People headquartered in Bismarck to help assist low-income veterans and their families that are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
These funds will be given to the North Dakota Coalition of Homeless People in Bismarck to offer veterans and their family members outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in receiving other public benefits. The Coalition can also offer temporary financial assistance on behalf of veterans for rent and utility payments, security deposits and moving costs.
"Our veterans willingly risk their lives so we may have the comfort of knowing our communities and families are safe," said Heitkamp. "And by not making sure they find their own place to call home when they come back, we are failing to live up to our commitment to them. Our veterans have given so much to our country, and these funds will help us give a little back to them. I will continue to work in the Senate to make sure we do more to provide access to rural health care, a quality education, a support system and much more for our veterans."
These funds are authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and are awarded under the Supportive Services of Veteran Families program. The VA has committed to ending veteran homeless by 2015 and to helping the approximately 115,000 homeless veterans nationwide get the assistance they need to obtain permanent homes for themselves and their families.
Last week, Heitkamp unveiled her new legislation that would better connect new veterans with services, resources, and benefits that are available in their communities. Heitkamp's bill, the Connect with Veterans Act, will create a database of contact information for newly-separated veterans that would allow them to connect to local resources. Throughout her discussions with veterans and work with the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, Heitkamp often heard from veterans about a desire to learn more about services and resources, and communities looking to help veterans. The Connect with Veterans Act is a direct result of that work.
Heitkamp also met with Jamestown-area veterans at the Knights of Columbus last week to discuss her new legislation as well as the bipartisan legislation the Senate just passed on August 1 to better support our veterans. The new bill works to restore trust in the VA and launches a nationwide Veterans Choice Card to improve access to care for rural veterans – an initiative Heitkamp has called for since before she joined the Senate.
Since joining the Senate, Heitkamp has fought to stand up for veterans in North Dakota and throughout the country. In July 2013, Heitkamp completed a statewide listening tour to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing veterans, holding meetings and discussions in Minot, Bismarck, Devils Lake, Grand Forks, and Fargo. Last month, Heitkamp hosted her first Native American Veterans Summit in Bismarck. She brought together about 140 Native veterans, officials from the VA and Indian Health Service (IHS), and other advocates to give veterans a chance to be heard. It was also an opportunity for Native veterans to learn more about ongoing initiatives to connect them with services and benefits. At the end of July, she launched a new one-stop-shop webpage for Native American veterans, aiming to more easily connect these veterans with information about benefits and services available to them.
SD Prairie Gateway helps promote your community!
The SD Prairie Gateway website is now even better and easier for your community to utilize for the promotion of available commercial property, jobs, news, events, and more!
Promoting our individual communities as a region is the premise behind SD Prairie Gateway. That is why we have added the ability for your community to submit items directly to our website. Last quarter, the Commercial Real Estate submission tool was made available to you and now three new modules are available for your convenience, including: News Manager; Events Calendar; and Available Jobs.
Public Submission Tools from SD Prairie Gateway: These tools can be easily accessed anytime on the SDPrairieGateway.org main page by using the menu tabs across the top of the page: Real Estate, Workforce, and News & Events. The submission will be approved by the web manager and then you listing will appear.
1. Submit a News Article
2. Submit an Event
3. Submit a Real Estate Listing
4. Submit a Job Listing
I encourage you to give this opportunity a try! It is one way we can support you in meeting your Workforce Development and Economic Development goals at no cost to you. Every quarter several hundred people view the SD Prairie Gateway website, which gives them one more opportunity to find out what your community has to offer!
Importance of ND Peace Officers, need for additional resources
Grand Forks, ND – August 14, 2014 – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and North Dakota's former Attorney General, today spoke with North Dakota's Peace Officers at the North Dakota Peace Officers Association annual convention about the importance of the work they do keep our communities safe.
"Being here today in front of so many selfless public servants really brings back great memories of serving as Attorney General in North Dakota," said Heitkamp. "One of the reasons I loved that job was being able to work with our state's Peace Officers. North Dakota's recent growth and prosperity has presented us with many opportunities, but it has also brought with it many challenges for the state's various law enforcement officers. However, I know no matter how great the challenges may be, our North Dakota Peace Officers will rise to meet them, and I look forward to continuing my longstanding relationship with our state's law enforcement as I continue working to make sure they have the resources needed to handle these new challenges."
To build strong and safe communities across North Dakota, Heitkamp highlighted the need for additional personnel, resources, technology, and laws to allow Peace Officers to go after, arrest, and successfully prosecute criminals to combat the changing dynamics in the state. In June, Heitkamp brought Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) — Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security — to North Dakota to meet with Border Patrol agents, local sheriffs, tribal law enforcement, and other officials to hear firsthand about the security and law enforcement challenges facing North Dakota as the state's population has boomed. In 2013, Heitkamp brought White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director R. Gil Kerlikowske to North Dakota to hear from federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement about the unique challenges North Dakota faces, especially in the oil patch. Following the ONDCP Director's visit, Williams County was designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area by the federal government, making it eligible to receive more federal resources to help combat drug trafficking and abuse.
As Attorney General, Heitkamp worked closely with the state's Peace Officers, and she has brought that first-hand experience with her to the Senate where she has continued to serve and advocate for these brave men and women. Since taking office, Heitkamp has continued to push to increase law enforcement resources for the Bakken region and the state as a whole. Heitkamp has worked to keep funding up for Community Oriented Policing Services, the Violence Against Women Act programs, and Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants program (Byrne-JAG) grants, which are all federal programs that support local law enforcement efforts.
Federal Funding to support local law enforcement
U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $520,000 in federal funding to support local law enforcement and governments working to improve the safety and well-being of their communities.
The funds will help local law enforcement better prevent and control crime based on their communities' needs, including supporting state and local initiatives, training officers, and purchasing needed equipment and supplies. The funds will also help the state and local governments create substance abuse treatment programs in correctional and detention facilities, as well as maintain aftercare services for offenders.
"The population and economic growth North Dakota has seen recently is a great sign for our state's future, but we need to make sure we're securing the safety of our communities as we move forward," said Heitkamp. "Since my time as North Dakota's Attorney General, I have seen firsthand the challenges facing our state's law enforcement and I know that with this growth, the challenges will continue. These funds are absolutely critical to providing local law enforcement and communities across North Dakota with the tools and resources they need to keep our families safe."
The grants are distributed as follows:
· North Dakota Office of the Attorney General – $481,818, made available through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG).
· North Dakota Office of the Attorney General – $42,244, made available through the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program.
JAG and RSAT funds are both authorized through the U.S. Department of Justice.
Since serving as North Dakota's Attorney General, Heitkamp has played a leading role in supporting and protecting North Dakota communities. In November 2013, Heitkamp announced that the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) named Williams County in western North Dakota a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), making it eligible for federal funds. That announcement came after Heitkamp brought then-ONDCP Director R. Gil Kerlikowske to North Dakota to hear from federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and other officials about the major increase in drug crimes occurring in the oil patch and spreading to other areas of the state. In June, Heitkamp brought Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) — Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security — to North Dakota to meet with Border Patrol agents, local sheriffs, tribal law enforcement and other officials and hear firsthand about the security and law enforcement challenges facing North Dakota as the state's population has boomed.
Last week, Heitkamp announced more than $145,000 in federal JAG funding to support law enforcement efforts throughout North Dakota.
Funding for Law Enforcement on Standing Rock, Turtle Mountain, MHA reservations
Bismarck, ND – August 11, 2014 – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced more than $50,000 in federal funds to support local law enforcement on the Standing Rock, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, and Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Indian Reservations.
The tribes will be able to use these funds to prevent and control crime in ways to meet the needs and conditions of the community. Some examples include using the funds to support local initiatives, provide technical assistance, train officers, and purchase needed equipment.
"Since I was Attorney General, improving the lives of Native families has been one of my top priorities," said Heitkamp. "I've been working on everything from making sure the children have access to a quality education to finding ways to make housing affordable and safe. Supporting local law enforcement and making sure it has resources, training, and the personnel needed to protect Native families, like these funds will do, is another important piece to that puzzle. While these funds will help, there is still plenty to be done to make sure our Native communities are safe. I will continue to do my part to hold up our trust and treaty obligation and moral responsibility to our Native brothers and sisters."
The grants are distributed as follows:
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe –$18,920
Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara - $17,006
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa –$14,719
These funds are part of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants program (Byrne-JAG) and are authorized through the U.S. Department of Justice.
Commissions approve route for Big Stone South to Ellendale transmission line
Bismarck, N.D. – August 13, 2014 – The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission today unanimously approved a Facility Permit advancing the development of the Big Stone South to Ellendale (BSSE) transmission line. Project owners anticipate the final written order for the South Dakota segment of the line later in August. The North Dakota Public Service Commission issued its approval and final order on July 10, 2014, for the North Dakota portion of the line.
"The BSSE transmission line will connect to other similar transmission lines within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) network," said Henry Ford, Director of Electric Transmission Development at Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and project manager for the BSSE line. "Together these projects will improve reliability for South Dakota, North Dakota, and the regional power system." The BSSE project also will enable renewable energy to be integrated into the system and boost regional economies by creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
The approximately 160-mile 345-kv transmission line will connect a new Big Stone South substation planned about three miles west of Big Stone City in Grant County, South Dakota, and a new Ellendale substation proposed about 1.5 miles west of Ellendale in Dickey County, North Dakota.
Project owners Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and Otter Tail Power Company expect a three-year construction period beginning in 2016. The project will cost approximately $293 million to $370 million. Maps of the route are available on the project web site at www.bssetransmissionline.com/maps/.
Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. distributes natural gas, generates, transmits and distributes electricity and provides related services in the northern Great Plains. The company serves approximately 137,000 electric customers and 258,000 natural gas customers in 262 communities in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. Montana-Dakota is a division of MDU Resources Group, Inc. For more information about Montana-Dakota visit www.montana-dakota.com. For more information about MDU Resources Group visit www.mdu.com.
Otter Tail Power Compny provides electricity and energy services to about 130,000 customers in 422 communities in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Otter Tail Power Company is a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation. For more information about Otter Tail Power Company visit www.otpco.com. For more information about Otter Tail Corporation visit www.ottertail.com.
Strategy to fight drug crimes in Bakken and at Northern Border
Continues White House Drug Czar's Pledge to Reduce Drug Crime in ND following visit to ND
Minot, MD – August 19, 2014 – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today joined the Administration's Drug Czar to release a new national strategy to combat drug crime and trafficking across the country, with a particular focus on addressing the growing drug problems in North Dakota and reducing the cross-border flow of drugs between the U.S. and Canada.
Heitkamp and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) Acting Director Michael Botticelli, joined by state officials, local law enforcement, and tribal leaders, announced that the Administration's 2014 National Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy specifically provides an update on drug trafficking at the northern U.S. border, and makes recommendations to improve international coordination between the United States and Canada. The release follows the July 9 release of the White House National Drug Control Strategy, which for the first time specifically mentioned emerging threats and needs in the Bakken region.
The release of the new national agenda to combat drug crime in North Dakota continues a strong commitment made by former ONDCP Director R. Gil Kerlikowske – when Heitkamp brought him to North Dakota in July 2013 – to combat drug crime and abuse in North Dakota, particularly in the Bakken. During that visit, Heitkamp and Kerlikowske spoke with local law enforcement and tribal officials about the major increase in drug crimes in the oil patch which is spreading to other areas. Just four months after that visit, ONDCP announced a series of steps to help reduce drug crime and abuse in the Bakken, including naming Williams County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, making it eligible for more federal funds. The designation and today's announcement are a direct result of the former ONDCP director's visit to the state.
"As North Dakota's former Attorney General, I understand the law enforcement challenges facing our state, and making sure North Dakota's families and communities are safe is a must," said Heitkamp. "With North Dakota's unprecedented population and economic growth, especially in the Bakken, drug-related crimes have become emerging challenges that we must stop. The Administration has taken our concerns seriously since I brought the former Drug Czar to our state last summer, and pledged to dedicate resources to combat drug crime in North Dakota. Since then, the Administration has followed up with real action and support, and today's announcement is another step in continuing that pledge. Today's new national drug control strategy aims to provide stronger coordination between the U.S. and Canada so we can prevent the flow of drugs and criminals between our borders. Only by coming together can we stem the tide of drug trafficking and abuse and truly make sure our state remains a safe place for families to live and work."
The 2014 National Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy has several provisions to help combat drug crime and improve the safety of North Dakota communities, including:
· Using federal resources more efficiently to increase and optimize prosecutorial support on the Northern Border, fighting drug trafficking, criminal gangs, and their financial infrastructures;
· Improving coordination between federal and tribal law enforcement to help identify concerns in Indian Country (notably the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, given its proximity to the border), and provide appropriate resources and training opportunities to tribal law enforcement tailored to specific needs; and
· Working more closely with border communities on strategies to develop more effective prevention, treatment, and law enforcement partnerships.
Since serving as North Dakota's Attorney General, Heitkamp has played a leading role in supporting and protecting North Dakota communities. In January, Heitkamp welcomed news that a special prosecutor will be placed in western North Dakota to help fight drug-related crimes in the state's oil patch. And in June, Heitkamp brought Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) – Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs – to North Dakota to meet with Border Patrol agents, local sheriffs, tribal law enforcement and other officials and hear firsthand about the security and law enforcement challenges facing North Dakota as the state's population has boomed.
To help address the unique law enforcement challenges in Indian Country, Heitkamp also recently brought together leaders from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in March, focusing specifically on drug abuse and trafficking on the reservation.
Secretarial Order on American Indian Trust Responsibilities
Underscores Administration's commitment to Trust Reform in meetings with leaders of Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
Pablo, Mont. – August 20, 2014 – As part of President Obama's commitment to strengthen the government-to-government relationship with tribal nations and fulfill federal trust obligations, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today issued a Secretarial Order reaffirming the Department of the Interior's trust responsibilities to federally-recognized Indian tribes and individual Indian beneficiaries and providing guidance for Interior agencies in carrying out their obligations to them.
"This Order reaffirms the Department's obligations and demonstrates our continuing commitment to upholding the important federal trust responsibility for Indian Country," said Secretary Jewell, who chairs the White House Council on Native American Affairs. "The landmark Cobell Settlement and resolution of nearly 80 other tribal trust management lawsuits under President Obama launched a new chapter in federal trust relations with tribes and individual Indian beneficiaries and reflects our dedication to strengthen the government-to-government relationship with tribal leaders."
The Secretarial Order provides seven principles that apply to all Interior agencies, not just the Bureau of Indian Affairs, including supporting tribal sovereignty and self-determination; protecting tribal lands and resources; building partnerships; practicing responsiveness and timeliness; and seeking legal advice to ensure compliance with the trust responsibility. As federal agencies that make policy affecting Indian tribes and individual Indian beneficiaries, all of the Department's bureaus and offices share the same general federal trust responsibility.
"This Order speaks not only to American Indian tribes, but also to federal employees across the Department, reminding each of them of their important role in fulfilling the trust responsibility," said Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn. "It acknowledges that each of us working in the federal government has an important responsibility to Indian country and it ultimately takes all of us, working together, to meet our important obligations as a trustee."
The federal trust responsibility, which originates from the unique, historical relationship between the United States and Indian tribes, consists of the highest moral and legal obligations that the federal government must meet to ensure the protection of tribal and individual Indian lands, assets and resources as well as treaty and similarly recognized rights. Among their responsibilities, Interior agencies oversee $4.7 billion in trust funds derived from managing 55 million surface acres and 57 million acres of subsurface mineral estate held in trust for individual Indians, Indian tribes and Alaska Natives. Eleven million acres belong to individual Indians and 44 million acres to tribes. Interior administers more than 119,000 leases for the use of these lands, including oil, gas and mineral extraction, water and energy development, timber harvesting and grazing.
Today's Secretarial Order responds to recommendations of the Secretarial Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform, which was established in 2009 as part of the $3.4 billion Cobell Settlement, one of the largest class-action lawsuits in U.S. history. The Commission evaluated the Department's trust administration system and identified potential improvements, urging a renewed emphasis on U. S. obligations so that all federal agencies understand their obligations to abide by and enforce trust duties. The Interior Department has taken a number of steps to address issues raised in the Commission's report, as well as identified actions that the Department will take to improve the trust administration. A new document outlining those reforms is available here.
The Secretary made her announcement during a visit with leaders of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana, where she was joined by U.S. Senator Jon Tester; Vincent G. Logan, Special Trustee for American Indians; and Mike Black, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
"The achievements of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes demonstrate that the federal trust responsibility often can be best achieved by empowering the tribes – by contracting with them so that they can provide the federal services owed under the trust responsibility," Jewell noted. "The Salish & Kootenai Tribes were among the first to receive full self-governance rights in 1993, assuming key functions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians and strengthening the economy of their community and the State of Montana."
Interior's Office of the Special Trustee, led by Vincent G. Logan, oversees reforms that have improved the accountability and management of Indian funds held in trust by the federal government. OST provides oversight and coordination of the policies, procedures, systems and practices used by various agencies to manage Indian trust assets. The Obama Administration also has helped to rebuild the federal trust relationship by resolving nearly 80 separate tribal trust management cases, providing $2.6 billion in settlements; and issuing a new federal policy in 2009 on consulting with Indian tribes, setting standards for engaging on a government-to-government basis to ensure agency decisions consider the impacts on affected tribes and their members.
With an enrolled membership of about 8,000, the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Government is the largest employer in Lake County, Mont., with 1,200 employees. The Tribal Government infuses $80 million a year into the area economy through a $35 million payroll, $45 million in purchases and contributes about $317 million annually to Montana's economy. The Secretary's discussions with tribal leaders dealt with several current initiatives, including a cooperative agreement on a Land Buy Back Program to purchase and consolidate fractionated land ownership interests from willing sellers, as well as climate change impacts on tribal natural resources.
Grants to help Native Americans identify and repatriate Human remains, Cultural objects
Washington, DC – August 19, 2014 – The National Park Service today announced more than $1.5 million in grants under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) to assist museums, Indian tribes, and Alaska native villages to document and return human remains and cultural objects to their native people.
Grants were awarded both to support the efforts of museums, Indian tribes, Alaska native villages and Native Hawaiian organizations in the documentation of NAGPRA-related objects (consultation/documentation grants), and to pay for the costs associated with the return of the remains and objects to their native people (repatriation grants). This year, 29 grants totaling $1,471,625.00 are going to 24 recipients for consultation/documentation projects, and $95,423.40 is going to eight repatriation projects.
"NAGPRA provides an opportunity to correct the mistreatment of native peoples' ancestral dead by returning the sacred objects and cultural heritage that have been removed from their communities," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "These grants will continue the process by which more than 10,000 Native American human remains and one million sacred objects that have been returned to tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
Projects funded by the grant program includes consultations to identify and affiliate individuals and cultural items, training for both museum and tribal staff on NAGPRA, digitizing collection records for consultation, consultations regarding culturally unaffiliated individuals, as well as the preparation and transport of items back to their native people.
Enacted in 1990, NAGPRA requires museums and federal agencies to inventory and identify Native American human remains and cultural items in their collections, and to consult with federally recognized Indian tribes, including Alaska Native villages, and Native Hawaiian organizations regarding the return of these objects to descendants or tribes and organizations. The Act also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to award grants to assist in implement provisions of the Act.
For additional information regarding these awards, contact Sherry Hutt, National NAGPRA Program Manager, at 202-354-1479 or via e-mail at email@example.com.
Sota guest editorial –
Brief editorial comments from the editor's desk –
On and Off the Lake Traverse Reservation
Pidamiya Crystal Owen for organizing last week's "solutions" gathering.
Please read our article, and if possible, plan to attend the followup sessions.
Help be part of the solutions to rid our community and oyate of the poison of meth and other (alcohol is still number one) addictions and their consequences especially on the children.
This is part one of a two-part series. There was so much information shared, we will share more next week in "part two." Also, there will be more photo highlights.
We also want to call attention to Dr. Magat's Healthy Kids column, which focuses on what happens when meth (heroin, and other substance) addicts use during pregnancy.
This Wednesday has been proclaimed Dakotah Language Revitalization and Appreciation Day.
It is import for all of us to support renewal of the Dakotah Language and culture so future generations will not be cut off from their roots.
Please read the news article from Tammy Decoteau and the proclamation on page one.
We're pleased to publish a feature on a super band, the Bluedog Blues Band.
And we'd like our readers to know about the band's ties to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.
Consider purchasing their music, and of course coming to any concerts you can when they play across the region.
Pidamiya Bessie Genia, our reporter/photographer, for sharing photos from the recent Heipa District Pow Wow.
They are featured elsewhere in this week's Sota, and online.
We want to pass along that another spay/neuter has been scheduled.
The next Lake Traverse Animal Rezcue Spay Neuter clinic will be Sept. 15-17 at the SWO Housing Maintenance garage in Sisseton.
Our 147th annual SWO Wacipi photo gallery is going online this week.
Check it out on our website:
Please read our Legal notices section.
The Reservation Election Board has posted important information about the process for the primary and general elections.
You will also find information about how to make proposed amendment changes.
This week there is a link to election forms available online on the Tribe's website:
Please note that for the first time, there will be automated balloting for the Tribe's elections.
Watch for more information in coming weeks!
Also note that the Sota is returning to a former policy of ONLY PUBLISHING PAID IN ADVANCE POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENTS.
This policy must be followed because of not being able to collect on outstanding invoices.
Because we do not accept credit cards, checks must be made at the time of ordering a political ad.
Our political ad rate is discounted at $2.50 per column inch in order to make it less painful on candidates' pocketbooks.
Please specify size desired when ordering:
Examples –
2 columns x 5 inches, for 10 col. inches @ 2.50 = 25.00
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6 columns x 11 inches [half page] 66 col. inches @ 2.50 = 165
6 columns x 22 inches [full page] 132 col. inches @ 2.50 = 330
Submit payment to the Sota, P.O. Box 5, Wilmot, SD 57279
Copy may be submitted electronically to firstname.lastname@example.com
We urge you to plan accordingly so that you are not telephoning or messaging at the last minute to have an ad placed without pre-payment.
Elder's Meditation:
"They also learned, and perhaps this was the most important thing, how to look at things through the eyes of the Higher Powers." -- Fools Crow, LAKOTA
Our eyes can only see our beliefs. Our beliefs cause us to make assumptions, draw conclusions, and cause confusion. Our five senses are very limiting. The Creator has a way of allowing us to see or know in the spiritual world. This is called the Sixth Sense. The Sixth Sense is like a radar system; our personal radar system. It will help us "see" opportunities and help us avoid disaster. This Sixth Sense is controlled by God. We must learn to listen to it. We must learn to trust it. We must learn to act on it even if our head says differently. We must learn to look at things through the eyes of God. My Creator, guide me today. If my eyes cause confusion, let me close them and see through Your eyes. If my ears hear confusion, let me listen to my heart. Let me let You guide me.
Words to consider (or, perhaps not!):
When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth. George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
Drama is life with the dull bits cut out. Alfred Hitchcock (1899 - 1980)
Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. Edgar Bergen (1903 - 1978), (Charlie McCarthy)
I wish people who have trouble communicating would just shut up. Tom Lehrer (1928 - )
The higher the buildings, the lower the morals. Noel Coward (1899 - 1973)
You've got to take the bitter with the sour. Samuel Goldwyn (1882 - 1974)
The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable. John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 - 2006)
An expert is a person who avoids small error as he sweeps on to the grand fallacy. Benjamin Stolberg
Humanity is acquiring all the right technology for all the wrong reasons. R. Buckminster Fuller (1895 - 1983)
The Sota is always looking for news of the Oyate.
If you have information and/or photos of newsworthy happenings in your family or community, please consider sharing with your Sota staff.
For submission deadlines and other information, see below:
Except for holidays copy to be considered for publication – news, advertising, editorial opinion letters, etc. – is to be submitted to: Sota, P.O. Box 5, Wilmot, SD 57279 by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. FAX and e-mail submissions will be accepted until 12:00 noon on Friday (with the exception of letters to the editor/open letters to the Oyate, or "opinion" letters, which must be received by 10:00 a.m. Thursday).
If you are writing an opinion letter, please note that it must be signed and the author's name will appear in print. Letters must not contain libel and must be brief, ideally 500 words or less. Letters may be edited for content. Omissions will be identified with periods . . . editor's explanations will be provided in [brackets]. Readers who want access to unedited versions will need to contact the authors.
Earlier receipt of copy is always appreciated. So, if you are aware of a date or message that needs to be publicized or advertised, please let us know about it in advance of the weekly deadline.
The preferred way to submit typed articles and ads, art and photos, is by e-mail.
The editor can be reached at the following e-mail address:
For more information, leave a message on the Sota production office voicemail (605) 938-4452, or send a fax to the 24-hour dedicated line (605) 938-4676.
Services for Ed Godfrey
Ed Godrey Jr. passed passed away early Friday, August 22, 2014.
Wake services were held Saturday evening at the SWO Community Center, Agency Village, SD. Then the family took him to Bonesteel, SD where visitation was held on Sunday afternoon at the city hall.
Burial was at St. Charles, SD.
Edward Norman Godfrey Jr. – Wokiksuye Yuha Mani (Walks with Memory) was born on March 18, 1936 to Edward and Carrie (Primeaux) Godfrey in Rosebud, SD.
He grew up in Milks Camp south of St. Charles on his father's farm. He attended boarding school in Mission and when he was 17 years old he joined the U.S. Army and served from September 28, 1953 to February 13, 1957.
When he was discharged from the army he lived with his sister Verna and Fred (Big Boy) Irvin in Sioux City, Iowa and worked for their Hide Company.
In 1963 he moved to Mission, SD to live with his sister Ann and Noah Brokenleg where he went to work at the Bishop Hare Home.
In 1965 he married Helen Robertson and moved back to Sioux City, IA where he went back to work for his sister Verna and Fred (Bigboy) Irvin. To that union three children were born, two girls and one boy.
In 1967 he moved to Fargo and attended Hanson Mechanic School and graduated from there in 1969. He then moved back to Sioux City, IA with his family and began work at Load King in Elk Point, SD.
In 1977 he move to Peever, SD and began employment for the Alcohol Program where he worked until 1985. He then moved to St. Paul, MN and worked for Jewel Fairbanks until he retired and moved back to Sisseton. He lived out the rest of his life enjoying fishing, listening to his scanner watching the Wheel of Fortune and Price is Right.
He was also a Traditional Dancer for many years and enjoyed attending Pow-Wows.
He is survived by five daughters, Theresa (Jim) Poignee of Mission, Carrie (Jared) HisGun of Sisseton, Dawn Godfrey (Martin Goodteacher) of Sisseton, Adelia Godfrey (Robert Rojas) of Watertown, and Lydia Godfrey of Sisseton; two sons, Gregg Heck of St. Charles, and Bruce Godfrey Sr. of Sisseton; two sisters, Elma Hayes of Rosebud, SD and Carole Beck of Sioux City, IA and one adopted brother James (Jim) Brown of Bemidji, MN; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is proceeded in death by both his parents, three sisters and two brothers.
Notice of editorial policy
(Editor's note: The following comes from the editor's column and the Sota "deadlines and policies" statement published weekly in the Sota.)
Copy to be considered for publication – news, advertising, editorial opinion letters, etc. – are to be submitted to: Sota, P.O. Box 5, Wilmot, SD 57279 by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. FAX and e-mail submissions will be accepted until 12:00 noon on Friday (with the exception of letters to the editor/Open letter to the Oyate, or "opinion" letters, which must be received no later than 10:00 a.m. Thursday).
If you are writing an opinion letter, please note that it must be signed and the author's name will appear in print. Letters must not contain libel or offensive language and must be brief, 500 words or less. Letters may be edited for content. Omissions will be identified with periods . . . editor's explanations will be provided in [brackets]. Readers who want access to unedited versions will need to contact the authors.
Open letter to the Oyate
I never wrote a letter to the Oyate through the Sota. This is my first time.
The Oyate letter the Tribal Secretary had printed last week created confusion and many have been asking questions us to explain it. I think we handled the situation in the right way as we went directly to the office of the Tribal Secretary to discuss these accusations against not only my daughter but also my grandson and I.
That police officer he came and interviewed me and my grandson and I don't like the way we were treated. He accused us of using an elderly gift card that was reported stolen. He scared me and for Robin Quinn to act like she did not know I was involved is not speaking the truth.
We went to her office section, pod or whatever they call it and we met with her assistant, the Enemy Swim District Chairman and the Police Officer right there in her waiting room. I thought we were treated with disrespect while we were there because when Robin passed through the area we were meeting in we asked her about the process in which these cards are distributed and accounted for and she just laughed and said "Oh I don't know anything about that" and went straight to her office while the rest of us sat there and continued to discuss how and why this could have happened.
I had my two daughters Michelle and Crystal there with me at the meeting as we all wanted to know why we were being treated like criminals. The only card that my daughter Crystal ever used belonged to me and I gave her my permission to use it. The only thing she and my grandson are guilty of is helping me to do shopping.
Also, at that same meeting I returned a card that was picked up for my daughter who lives in another State. The Tribal Secretary's office mailed my daughter a card and also sent one to the district center where my son who was unaware of a card being mailed picked her card up. Had I not returned that extra card to them they probably would never have known that they issued one individual two cards. Maybe that is the answer to where the missing gift card mystery lies, who knows. Your guess is as good as mine. We asked to see the paper trail in how these cards are accounted for and we were shown copies of gift cards but were told some pages were missing or could not be located at that moment because there are so many papers to deal with.
This is proof that the elderly gift cards are not being properly taken care of. The office of the Tribal Secretary is the one who oversees the cards so she is responsible for the day to day business of her office.
I am an honest person. I never stole anything from anyone in all of my 88 years. I do not appreciate being accused of stealing a card from the Enemy Swim District Center and I do not appreciate that my daughter and grandson were also being investigated for using a card that belonged to me.
I went to the Enemy Swim District meeting and voiced my complaint. I am the elder who asked for an apology from the office of the Tribal Secretary and the Tribal Police because I do not like how I was treated by both places. Dawn Eagle our District Councilperson brought it to the attention of the Tribal Council after our district made the motion that an apology be made to me and my daughter. Our district also made a motion that the distribution of those gift cards go back under the management of the Tribal Elderly Center.
As an elder of the Oyate I expected good treatment from our leaders. I never thought that I would be treated in this way. This whole situation upset me and I'm to old to be worrying about these things that our tribal leaders should be taking care of. So if you want to accuse, target, place blame, or take someone to jail then it's me you better be coming after because that was my elderly gift card that I asked them to shop with and I was sitting right outside in the car waiting for them. I have health problems and it's hard for me to walk around a big store like I use to. I want to put this matter to rest. I want our tribal leaders to take care of the people, listen in a good way to both sides of a story and try to help each other.
Lillian Owen, "Waunsida win"
Social "helper" column dedicated to young generation Oyate –
By Sherielle "Shay" DuMarce
Most of my article that I send in are of a social nature but today I want to shed some light on something that has been happening for years on the Lake Traverse reservation. This is the mistreatment and violation of tribal member rights by city police.
With that being said, my question to all those who read my articles is this:
"Do any of you know and understand your constitutional rights?"
A constitutional right is a legal right of its citizens (and others under its jurisdiction) protected by a sovereignty's constitution. These are rights and freedoms protected by our constitution which came into existence September 17, 1787. The Amendments 1-10 respectively became known as the Bill of Rights and were created Sept 25th, 1789 (Ratified December 15, 1791). These Amendments guarantee a number of personal freedoms, limit the government's power in Judicial and other proceedings and reserve some powers to the state and the public.
Now, the reason I am writing this article is because a tribal member came to me and told me of an incident that happened to her and her children. On July 22, 2014 at about 12:00 am. She was driving home from an all-night wake service when she was stopped by a City cop. When the officer approached she asked what the problem and if she was speeding or anything. The officer replied that she was driving fine, she was the first car he seen, just came on duty so he ran her plates. The officer then went on insisting that this tribal member may be on drugs or drinking. The tribal member informed the officer that she lives a drug and alcohol free lifestyle but he kept insisting that he search the vehicle for illegal drugs or alcohol. The tribal member, who at the time was unaware of her 4th amendment rights, reluctantly agreed to the search. She was then placed in the officer's car, her children had to remain in her vehicle and the officer ransacked the car, which came up clean.
Furthermore, the 4th Amendment states that any searches and seizures must be warranted by probable cause in order to stop a person but in this particular case there was none. This officer did not have grounds to stop this individual, He did not have probable cause to suspect her of drug or alcohol use and he did not have probable cause beyond a reasonable doubt to search her vehicle. The police are here to "protect & serve"...isn't that the motto printed in each police department? Well, I can tell you that this tribal member DID NOT feel protected but instead felt victimized and made to feel like a criminal. She was placed in a police squad car, away from her children, her car ransacked and told repeatedly that she "may be a drug or alcohol user".
Finally, this kind of activity is called HARASSEMENT and for the officers comments insisting of "drug or alcohol use" that is called STEREOTYPING because not all tribal members are drug users and alcoholics. We should not be treated as criminals when we are stopped by police, we are people with rights and deserve to be treated as such. Stand up and speak out against police harassment! Do not stay quiet if you feel you have been mistreated talk to your council person or a lawyer and see if there is grounds for filing a complaint, get badge numbers and the officer's name and always know your rights!
Respectfully Shay DuMarce.
Prairie Doc Perspective
Bipolar Disorder
By Richard P. Holm MD
Years ago I lost a friend to suicide who had bipolar disorder. He was a middle aged, highly capable, caring, and sharing man who truly suffered from the psychological pain caused by this condition. He had lived his whole adult life with the low and high rollercoaster emotions of his disease.
Bipolar disorder or manic depression is different than the more common one pole depression problem. This is brain chemical imbalance when emotions swing not only down into a morass of sad and blue thinking, but also turn up onto the opposite pole from depression, of excessive and inappropriate exhilaration and almost ecstasy, defined as mania. And here's the kicker: then it turns to depression again.
I imagine that for my friend the fact that he had these incredible highs, made it worse for him when he knew he was dropping into the awful lows. It was the perspective of the high time that made the low time so bad and hard to take.
The family and some of his close friends knew he was at risk of suicide for he spoke frankly and honestly about his plans. Yet with medicines and psychiatrists as well as medical doctors, with all the right tools available, and a family desperate to come to his aid... he elected not to take the help, and we couldn't save him. It breaks my heart to think of it.
The treatment for bipolar disorder has to do with stabilizing the mood with an older drug called lithium, or with anti-seizure drugs that work for this as well. These can help bring patients with this condition out of the jagged mountains and valleys of highs and lows out onto the flatland, or at least maybe just the foothills.
These mood stabilizers, along with counseling, and sometimes antidepressants, given some time to work, will greatly help people struggling with bipolar disorder.
There is wonderful help available; you just have to take it.
Take home message:
1. Bipolar disorder is a brain chemical imbalance illness that causes a rollercoaster of emotional lows and highs.
2. It is particularly devastating due to the contrast of the emotions.
3. There is wonderful help available; you just have to consistently take it, and give it time.
Dr. Rick Holm wrote this Prairie Doc Perspective for "On Call®," a weekly program where medical professionals discuss health concerns for the general public. "On Call®" is produced by the Healing Words Foundation in association with the South Dakota State University Journalism Department. "On Call®" airs Thursdays on South Dakota Public Broadcasting-Television at 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain. Visit us at OnCallTelevision.com.
Prairie Doc Perspective
Lucy's Knees
By Richard P. Holm MD
In 1974 in Ethiopia's Awash Valley, a 3.2 million year-old skeleton of an ape was discovered that was different than other ape skeletons. The knee bone shape, along with pelvic architecture, indicated that this ape walked upright. As the Beatles music "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was playing in the background, archeologists speculated that this could be the long sought link between apes and humans, and the upright walking individual was famously nicknamed "Lucy." Her brain was small and ape-like but she walked upright.
This was evidence that the upright position might have come first. They speculated that standing tall allowed for the evolutionary advantage of having a better view of approaching enemy or mate and all the rest followed. Could it be that the special design of an upright knee allowed for the first big step toward the evolution of humanity? And what is so special about this design?
The knee is a hinge joint mostly held together with four ligaments. The two "collateral" ligaments run along the inner and outer sides of the knee keeping our legs from bending inward (knock-kneed) or outward (bowlegged).
The more noteworthy structures however are the two tough fibrous ribbon ligaments, which cross each other, front to back, on the inside of the knee forming an "X." This explains why they are called the cruciate or cross-like ligaments.
The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL starts at the back of the thighbone or femur above, crosses to connect at the front of the shinbone or tibia below, and keeps the lower leg from sliding forward. The posterior cruciate ligament or PCL starts at the front of the thighbone, crosses to the back of the shinbone, and keeps the lower leg from sliding backward.
What is so ingenious is how these crossing ribbons provide for such stability, and yet at the same time, allow for the bending of the knee. So it is as Gerard Manley Hopkins the Priest poet said: "The world is charged with the grandeur of God."
Dr. Rick Holm wrote this Prairie Doc Perspective for "On Call®," a weekly program where medical professionals discuss health concerns for the general public. "On Call®" is produced by the Healing Words Foundation in association with the South Dakota State University Journalism Department. "On Call®" airs Thursdays on South Dakota Public Broadcasting-Television at 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain. Visit us at OnCallTelevision.com.
Federal funding for Preventive Care
Bismarck, ND – August 22, 2014 – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced at total of nearly $1 million in federal funding for the Center of Substance Abuse Treatment at the University of North Dakota (UND) and preventive health care across the state.
Specifically, more than $550,000 in federal funds will be awarded to the Center of Substance Abuse Treatment at UND for the training and dissemination of SBIRT – screening, brief intervention, referral and treatment – the evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce and prevent ongoing use, abuse and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs. The North Dakota Department of Health will receive a continuation of nearly $400,000 in federal funds to support preventive health services across the state. The funds provide the North Dakota Department of Health with flexibility in deciding how the funds can best be used to meet the needs of North Dakota's unique health care challenges.
"Preventive care is a critical component to taking care of yourself and your family members but too often it can get put on the back burner," said Heitkamp. "These funds will help more North Dakotans receive important preventive services – such as immunizations, as well as help the team at the Center of Substance Abuse Treatment provide top-notch service to help its students."
These funds were authorized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
New Devils Lake VA Clinic to provide care to Native, rural Rural ND Vets
Devils Lake, ND – August 18, 2014 – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Devils Lake where she highlighted the importance of the new facility for rural and Native American veterans in the Devils Lake area.
For nearly a decade, area veterans have been awaiting the opening of this clinic so they don't have to drive to Fargo to receive the quality health care. The new CBOC will provide quality and accessible care at a more convenient location. Veterans will have access to full-time telehealth services, a part-time physician, and on-site nurses who will care for veterans five days a week. Through the telehealth services, veterans will have direct access to specialists at the Fargo VA Health Care System.
"So many of North Dakota's veterans live in rural communities, like Devils Lake, and they deserve access to top-notch health care, just like veterans living in larger towns or cities," said Heitkamp. "All across the state, I've listened to stories about the challenges veterans face in getting the care they were promised. No veteran should have to drive for hours upon hours for care, or have unreasonably long wait times before they are able to be treated. That's why we need to make sure all veterans – including those living in rural communities – get the care they deserve. The opening of this CBOC in Devils Lake will help support that goal by providing hundreds of eligible veterans with access to quality rural health care."
Heitkamp pushed for the completion of the Devils Lake facility and put pressure on the VA to live up to its promise to open a CBOC in Devils Lake. In January, she met with the President of Mercy Hospital, Jim Marshall, to discuss the progress of the CBOC and see the construction of the facility firsthand.
Heitkamp has specifically been pushing to make sure veterans living in rural areas, including Native American veterans, get the services they earned, as far too many have expressed that they don't know where to turn. Last month, Heitkamp hosted her first Native American Veterans Summit in Bismarck, which brought together about 140 Native veterans, officials from the VA and Indian Health Service, and other advocates to help Native veterans learn more about ongoing initiatives to connect them with services and benefits. Based on the discussions at the Native American Veterans Summit, Heitkamp launched a new one-stop-shop webpage for Native American veterans to easily connect them with information about benefits and services available to them.
Earlier this month, Heitkamp unveiled her Connect with Veterans Act that would better connect new veterans with services, resources, and benefits that are available in their communities by creating a database of contact information. Her bill aims to ease the transition back to civilian life for many new veterans by helping them connect with job opportunities in their new communities, other veterans, and additional resources and benefits.
On August 1, Heitkamp voted for bipartisan legislation passed in the Senate to better support our veterans. The new bill works to restore trust in the VA and launches a nationwide Veterans Choice Card – an initiative Heitkamp has called for since before joining the Senate -- to improve access to care for rural veterans.
Youth, school activities highlights –
Education watch on the Lake Traverse Reservation
Tiospa Zina holds "transition day" last week
Submitted by Eric Heath
We are off and running at Tiospa Zina.
Here are a few pictures of our transition day (August 15). We had orientation for new kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade.
New paraprofessional at Tiospa Zina
My name is Jennie Burshiem, I live in Sisseton, SD.
I have been working various schools since 1980, I have been taking college courses working towards my bachelor's degree.
I love working with kids, and hope that I can make a difference for them.
I have three children, Adria, Shanna and Mark Jr. I also have four wonderful grandkids, Shanna, Noah, Shane and Quentin.
First week of classes at Enemy Swim Day School
Submitted by Rebecca Dargatz
Community Director
We have had a great first week here at Enemy Swim Day School.
There are many new faces to meet and those old faces that we looked forward to seeing again!
Students started school here on Wednesday and have been working hard to get our routines and procedures down.
Next week will be our first full week of school, and we will end next week with our Welcome Back Wacipi on Friday evening.
SWO Head Start News
Week of 8/25
We still have openings at the Agency Village Head Start (ages 3-5). You can pick-up an application from the center or have one faxed/mailed to you by calling Kim Pratt, Family Service Manager 605-698-3103, x. 40 or Danielle Ardizzone, x. 20.
Parent Orientation & Meet Your Teacher/Bus Driver Day Friday, August 29th Orientation at 12:00 PM-1:00 PM - lunch, raffle, introductions from program managers, review of important policies, & chance to ask questions Classroom visits & meet your teacher/bus driver between 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
First Day of Head Start & Early HS Students Return Tuesday, September 2nd Buses leave center around 8:30 AM Parents may drop-off students as soon as 9:00 AM Students board buses to go home at 3:00 PM
Invitation to Join Policy Council Head Start needs parents/guardians of students from Early HS or either of the HS centers to join for the next academic year. If interested, you may observe the next meeting on Sept. 4th at noon at the Agency Village HS middle building.
Browns Valley first day of school picnic
Submitted by Dustina Gill
The Browns Valley JOM first day of school picnic was well attended by students and their families and staff. One of the team building activities was putting up a tipi. The students saw how teamwork is needed to accomplish a shared goal and were very proud of their efforts.
Because the activity went so well the Browns Valley School is interested in getting its very own tipi and letting the students design and paint it. Wopida to Matthew Gill and Dennis Gill Jr. for taking the time to show our students how to put up a tipi.
JOM also had a fun way to teach the Dakotah Language to new and returning students at the Open House. The game had a cake walk style approach where everyone got to learn the words together. The game was made by the Dakotah Language Institute. Wopida to Eric DuMarce and Raymond Eastman for singing and running the game.
These events are the first of the many that will take place this school year in collaboration with the Browns Valley School and JOM integrating the Dakotah Culture with life skills, history and healthy choices.
Wopida to Robin Robertson, JOM Coordinator for your hard work ensuring these events were a success!
Encourages ND students to Apply For U.S. Senate Youth Program
Bismarck, ND – August 22, 2014 – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today encouraged North Dakota high school juniors and seniors interested in public service and government to apply for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).
The program brings together students from across the nation for a week-long intensive look at the relationship between the three branches of the federal government and the responsibilities of elected and appointed officials. Participants receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. by The Hearst Foundations and a $5,000 college scholarship. The deadline to apply is October 17, 2014.
"This program is an opportunity for high school students to see firsthand how our federal government works and the importance of public service," said Heitkamp. "It will give two of North Dakota's brightest students unforgettable experiences, useful knowledge, and leadership skills that will serve them well in their future education and careers – when they may one day work in public service. I hope all North Dakota students apply."
During the week-long trip to Washington, D.C. on March 7 – 14, 2015, the student delegates will visit Capitol Hill, the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, the Supreme Court and other historic sites in Washington. The students will also have the opportunity to meet with senators, cabinet officers, government leaders and other policymakers.
Eligible candidates include students with outstanding leadership abilities, high academic standing, and a commitment to public service. Students must be high school juniors or seniors, elected student officers for the 2014-2015 academic year, and must reside in the state where they attend school. Interested students should contact their local high school principal or the state-level selection administrator, Patricia Laubach at email@example.com.
Since its founding in 1962, more than 5,000 students have participated in USSYP. Several have gone on to become government officials, including members of Congress, military leaders and foreign ambassadors. During the 2014 program, Bethany Berntson of Valley City and Tyler Toepke-Floyd of Wishek were selected to represent North Dakota.
Our Vision Is Reality: Celebrating 25 Years of Tribal College Journal
By Lionel Bordeaux
TCJ – Aug. 14, 2014 – In the very first issue of Tribal College Journal, I remembered the first 20 years of the tribal college movement. I am honored to be able to remember some of the achievements of our last 25 years and to look to the future that our founders envisioned for us. Our institutions began as small, local colleges specifically focused on the pressing educational needs of our communities. We have grown tremendously —many of us now are regional institutions, and several have students from all over the United States, Canada, and even overseas.
Our founders dreamed of institutions that revitalized our Native languages and provided education for everyone from our youngest children to our elders—institutions which were nimble, responsive, and which redefined and restructured education for our communities. We are diverse institutions and our diversity makes us powerful, because it is our uniqueness and our focus on our tribal identities and tribal sovereignty that binds us together. Since the early days, our progress has come from our ability to share our successes and our challenges. We celebrate together and we face difficult times together.
Tribal College Journal is another means of sharing—we feature our programs, our students, our leadership, and our successes. TCJ has exceeded our expectations, surviving the last 25 years by telling our stories in words and pictures and by being responsive to an ever-changing media world. Our students are honored for their creativity through the journal and our faculty has a place to share ideas and knowledge.
In many ways, Tribal College Journal has been the documenter of the history of the tribal college movement, and is the voice of the promise that our founders made when they created our institutions. As we look to the future, we must always look back at the histories of our people, the vision of our founders, the dreams of our grandparents, and the strength and courage of our ancestry. We must be present in the day-to-day lives of our students and their families, and we must see the future in the faces of our sacred little ones. The 25th anniversary of Tribal College Journal comes just after the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) celebrated 40 years of its existence. AIHEC is our collective voice as member institutions. It represents our desire for cohesiveness as a group of institutions, brings forward our dreams for equity in funding, and helps us establish national and international education partnerships. TCJ's anniversary comes at the same time as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the American Indian College Fund, established by other tribal college presidents and me, together with our allies and friends, to bring desperately needed scholarship and program support from the private sector to our students and institutions.
The tribal colleges began with the establishment of Navajo Community College in 1968. We quickly built institutions that have educated more American Indian and Alaska Native students than any other group of institutions in this country. Because of us, there are Native teachers, nurses, business owners, scientists, and leaders serving our people on reservations and in tribal communities across the country. We built relationships with each other individually and collectively with AIHEC. We created a media voice in Tribal College Journal and we created an organization that helps us raise resources for our work in the American Indian College Fund.
Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) focus on the most important aspects of who we are as tribal nations—our languages, spirituality, economies, land, and our governments. Whatever approach we choose to support the health of our families and to build our nations, we are using the approach that works for us—it is community-based, honors traditional values, and encourages the empowerment of our people at all levels. We lead and we build leaders.
Tribal colleges and universities still have work to do. Our people still suffer from unrealized economic opportunities, a lack of access to adequate health care, housing, and transportation, and we still have not achieved our vision of fully tribally controlled education. We still have partnerships to build and alliances to forge.
The priorities of tribal colleges must also include broadening our reach into more Indigenous communities across the country, and even in the world. We must also take charge of education, advocating not just for tribal control, but most importantly for the ability to evaluate our own programs and define our own standards of performance. These priorities can be achieved with the development of national educational networks such as a National Tribal University, and with the creation of a tribal higher education accrediting body.
Our founders wanted us to not only deliver a quality education in our tribal homelands, but to also reach out to our people living in rural and urban environments. They intended for us to have graduate and professional programs to educate our own engineers, doctors, and lawyers. They dreamed of having the ability to exercise our sovereignty through the development of education codes and departments, and through the development of tribal accreditation using tribal laws and spirituality.
As I stated in the introduction to the first issue of Tribal College Journal, TCUs have much to share with each other and with groups beyond our reservations. We are doing so with national and international partnerships, such as our engagement with organizations like the American Council on Education, the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, and the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium. These partnerships helped us achieve land-grant status and facilitated amazing cultural exchanges among Indigenous peoples from throughout the world.
Our reach goes far, but I never lose sight of the core vision of our founders: that we build our families and communities into the abundant, powerful nations of their grandfathers and grandmothers. We are modern Indians; technology is a resource, and communication is critical to our success. We adapt in much the same way as our ancestors did, using the tools that are before us to do the work that keeps us alive.
Tribal College Journal remains a critical part of our story—we desired and achieved a forum to tell our stories, and we share our mission and our vision, so that we can continue to make the vision of our founders a reality.
Twenty-five years ago, my essay, "Commitment to Community: An Introduction to this Journal," honored how far the TCUs had come. I am now humbled at how much further the last 25 years have brought us. We continue to offer career education through certificates and applied science degrees, to build an educated professional and technical workforce through associate's and bachelor's programs, and we educate leaders through an increasing number of master's degrees. The next 25, 50, and 100 years promise so much more through academic programs, community outreach, research, and partnerships that support our prosperity. One day, all of our children will talk and sing in the languages of our ancestors and all of our homes will be bright with the light of good living.
We are thankful that Tribal College Journal is part of our vision. We are thankful that the mission of the tribal colleges and universities is shared with others through the stories that are told in the journal. I thank all those who have ever been a part of Tribal College Journal. Wopila tanka heca (with much gratitude).
Lionel Bordeaux (Sicangu Lakota) is president of Sinte Gleska University.
UTTC powwow to feature Olympian Billy Mills
Bismarck – UTN – The Oglala Lakota athlete who became an Olympic Gold Medalist in his youth, and is today an admired role-model in America, is the honored guest of the 2014 United Tribes International Powwow. Billy Mills is scheduled to attend events throughout the powwow set for September 4-7 at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck. All events of the powwow are open to the public and everyone is invited and welcome.
Mills is famous for his come-from-behind win in the 10,000 Meter Run at the Tokyo Olympics. His thrilling gold medal victory is widely considered one of the greatest moments in Olympic sports history. His story inspired the 1983 Hollywood movie "Running Brave."
Mills continues to be a source of inspiration and pride for Native people everywhere. He was a First Lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves when he competed in the 1964 Olympics. Now age 76, he lives near Sacramento, CA and continues with speaking tours and public appearances. In 2012 President Obama awarded him a Presidential Citizens Medal for his work with "Running Strong for American Indian Youth," an organization that benefits Native young people.
Mills will be a guest speaker and sign autographs while attending these events of the powwow: Tribal Leaders Summit keynote, noon, Thursday, September 4, Bismarck Civic Center; Powwow Grand Entry 7 p.m. Thursday, September 4; Youth Day 9 a.m. Friday, September 5; "Diamond Legends" Softball Tournament 5 p.m. Friday, September 5 @ Clem Kelly softball complex; Thunderbird Run Road Race 8 a.m. Saturday, September 6; and "Parade of Champions" 10 a.m. Saturday, September 6.
The powwow begins with the first Grand Entry at Lone Star Arena in the center of campus on Thursday, September 4 at 7 p.m. Subsequent Grand Entries are held Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Central Time), and Sunday at 12 noon.
A $20 entrance fee guarantees admission to all dance and drum competitions for the four days. Daily admission is $12. Seniors (65 and over) and children (5 and under) enter free.
Admission wrist bands may be purchased in advance through August 29 at the college's Finance Department. Group rates provided for 10 or more. Contact Ella Duran 701-255-3285 x 1214, firstname.lastname@example.com.
Camping begins Tuesday, September 2. Space is available free of charge in designated locations on the college campus. Round-the-clock security is provided and access to facilities. No drugs or alcohol allowed and no pets.
United Tribes is a "tobacco free campus." The college keeps tobacco sacred by allowing its use for ceremonies only. Other uses of tobacco in all forms are prohibited.
The Miss Indian Nations pageant will be absent from the 2014 festivities. The event will take a break while the powwow committee evaluates the future of a leadership program for young Native women.
Known as "Home of the Champions," the United Tribes International Powwow is the powwow season's last, large outdoor event on the northern Great Plains powwow circuit. The contest offers over $80,000 in prize money to the top singing groups and dancers in two dozen competitive categories. Cash, jackets and medals are awarded to the champions early Sunday evening, September 7, culminating the event. Day money is provided for drums and tiny tots.
The United Tribes Powwow Committee selected the work "We Are All Related," by artist Wallace "Butch" Thunder Hawk Jr. of Standing Rock, as the official image of the 2014 powwow.
Powwow posters are a popular art form. Each year an original work appears on the United Tribes poster.
Thunder Hawk's design depicts a Native couple flanked by four pairs of sacred animals central to his Lakota/Dakota culture: the horse, eagle, elk and buffalo. Two dragonflies hover overhead and a Native flute is part of the natural scene, along with the sun, clouds and sky rendered in bright hues.
Thunder Hawk has instructed tribal art at United Tribes since 1973. He created this piece to illustrate the Lakota phrase, "Mitakuye Oyasin," and show the inclusive nature of Native thinking.
"It shows that all people are related too," he says. "No matter what color we are, white, black, yellow or red, we have the same creator."
He hopes it will improve understanding about Native People and even send a message to care for the environment.
"It came to me to create an image to show how we are connected to Mother Earth, the universe and each other," says the artist. "I didn't have any idea this would be a poster for the powwow. It's just something I did. All my things come from the heart."
"We Are All Related" is a new work, completed in late 2013. The original is acrylic paint on canvas and measures three feet by three feet. The powwow committee secured rights to use the image on the poster and wearable and collectible items for the event.
Thunder Hawk has supplied artwork for previous powwows: a ledger design in 2011 and others in the 1970s and early '80s when United Tribes hosted more than one powwow each year. His designs have also been used for other powwows, including the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, NM.
Powwow posters are considered a window into Native themes and values. "They're collector items," says Thunder Hawk, who will be signing posters at the powwow. "You don't get the original but you get the design for free because the posters are given away."
The powwow committee also adopted "We Are All Related" as the overall theme of the four-day event now about to celebrate its 45th year. Providing the action will be upwards of 1,000 participants from the northern Plains and around the country.
Playing a central role in every powwow are those who answered the call to duty. Military veterans and active duty personnel who represent the college's governing tribes in North Dakota continue their service by presenting and posting the Colors during all powwow grand entries.
Contact: Mike Iken 701-255-3285 x 1277, email@example.com
Surrounding the dance arbor is a ring of powwow circuit vendors, creating a lively atmosphere and catering to the needs of smart shoppers. Everything can be found from hides and antlers, to beads, finished clothing, bumper and window stickers and powwow collectibles. A food court presents a wide variety of cuisine, from oriental and barbeque to the ever-popular 'Indian Taco.'
Craft Vendors Contact: Bernard Strikes Enemy 701-255-3285 x 1302; Food Vendors Contact: Robert Fox 701-255-3285 x 1384, email@example.com; vendor application online: www.unitedtribespowwow.com/contact.asp.
School classes and school groups (K-8) are invited to Youth Day at the Powwow. It is a music and cultural event that entertains. Included are presentations, music, tribal dance and audience participation. Youth Day begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 5 and runs through the morning. Chaperoned school groups admitted free.
Contact: Shiela Netterville 701-255-3285 x 1546 firstname.lastname@example.com.
The United Tribes "Parade of Champions," is scheduled for Saturday, September 6 through downtown Bismarck, using the powwow theme: "We Are All Related." It features dancers, singers, tribal groups, tribal leaders and community groups. Cash prizes are awarded in four categories: Best Overall Float, Best Youth or Culture Group, Best Horse Group, and Best Drum Group. Views expressed by entries or individuals in the parade are not necessarily those of the powwow committee or United Tribes Technical College.
Contact: Jessica Stewart 701-255-3285 x 1104, email@example.com.
Immediately prior to the powwow, the Eighteenth Annual United Tribes Tribal Leaders Summit takes place September 3-5 at the Bismarck Civic Center. Tribal, federal and state officials discuss important Indian Country issues and share ideas; also includes a trade fair. Billy Mills will keynote the event during a noon luncheon Thursday, September 4.
Contact: Janet Thomas 701-255-3285 x 1431, firstname.lastname@example.com
"Teeing Off for Academic Excellence" on Friday, September 5 is a benefit tourney at Apple Creek Country Club; proceeds go to student scholarships.
Contact: Sam Azure 701-255-3285 x 1305, firstname.lastname@example.com; or Hunter Berg 701-255-3285 x 1361, firstname.lastname@example.com
In 2014 the United Tribes softball tournament will be combined with an All-Indian National event called the "Diamond Legends" Softball Tournament. The event is expected to attract 50-to-60 teams of players and spectators from around the country.
Five divisions are offered during the September 5-7 tournament at the Clem Kelly Softball complex in Bismarck. The event is double elimination for both women's teams and men's teams. Divisions D and lower are open to both Native and non-Native athletes.
Contact: Steve Shepherd 701-255-3285 x 1537, firstname.lastname@example.com, or Joey McLeod 701-255-3285 x 1520, firstname.lastname@example.com.
A 10K and 5K run/walk is hosted for runners and walkers of all ages on Saturday, September 6. Online and on-site registration.
Contact: Dan Molnar 701-255-3285 x 1367, email@example.com
United Tribes honors you with the cultural tradition of a buffalo feed Sunday, September 7. All dancers, singers and visitors are invited free of charge. Serving takes place in the mid-to-late afternoon outside the United Tribes Cafeteria; serving time is announced. The meal is served by the college cafeteria staff and many student and staff volunteers. The buffalo is courtesy of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, one of the college's governing tribes.
Phil Baird, UTTC Interim President; Julie Cain, Chair/Cultural Advisor; Ella Duran, Treasurer; Deb Painte, Secretary; Charisse Fandrich, Fundraising.
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Spirit Lake Tribe, Standing Rock Tribe, Three Affiliated Tribes of the Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara Nation, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.
Website: www.uttc.edu.
Powwow: Sandy Erickson, firstname.lastname@example.com, 701-255-3285 x 1293
Media: Dennis J. Neumann, email@example.com, 701-255-3285 x 1386
Lodging: www.discoverbismarckmandan.com
NSF funds pilot project to increase American Indian faculty members
Innovative pilot project will encourage American Indian and Alaskan Native students studying STEM disciplines to qualify for tenured faculty positions
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding a new pilot project designed to increase the representation of American Indian and Alaska Natives in tenure track positions.
This pilot project will provide varied types of supportive resources to a select group of American Indian and Alaska Native students who are studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) at U.S. colleges and universities. These resources will provide participating students with motivating encouragement, practical skills and intellectual experiences that will help compel them to stay in their chosen STEM field--so that they will earn the necessary academic credentials to land tenure track positions at U.S. colleges and universities.
NSF is awarding $1.5 million over five years to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) to implement the pilot program, which is called "Lighting the Pathway to Faculty Careers for Natives in STEM."
A trailblazing program
"'Lighting the Pathway' is innovative because it will be comprehensive and national in scale and will provide many and varied types of support to American Indian and Alaska Native students," said NSF Director France A. Córdova.
Throughout the five year duration of "Lighting the Pathway," this pilot project will be rigorously evaluated in order to help identify its most effective interventions. Because the results of such evaluations may help guide future decisions about investments in this and/or other projects, "Lighting the Pathway" may serve as a valuable model for programs preparing students of varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds for academic careers.
The need for the program
Evidence of the national need for "Lighting the Pathway" includes data from NSF's Science and Engineering Indicators 2014, which indicates that American Indians and Alaska Natives accounted for less than .1 percent of science, engineering and health doctorates employed in science and engineering occupations in U.S. universities and four-year colleges as of 2010--the most recent year for which data is available.
Program participants
Applicants to "Lighting the Pathway" must be studying a STEM discipline--such as biology, computer science, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, geology or astronomy--at any academic level from the undergraduate level to the post-doc level. AISES will use its nationwide network to target American Indians and Alaska Natives for consideration for the project, but no one will be excluded from consideration based on their ethnic background. Thirty students representing all STEM disciplines will be selected by an AISES committee for the first year of "Lighting the Pathway."
As a pilot project, "Lighting the Pathway" is slated to last five years. During this period, at least 72 students are expected to be directly supported by the project.
Program benefits
Each Pathway student will receive face-to-face mentoring from a role model who: 1) is either an American Indian or Alaska Native or is familiar with issues relevant to these underrepresented groups; and 2) has earned a PhD--and preferably also holds a tenured faculty position. In addition, Pathway students will be offered research experiences and opportunities to present their research results at appropriate scientific conferences.
Also, Pathway students will attend monthly virtual seminars covering: 1) relevant scientific topics; 2) academic topics, such as maintaining a good academic record and applying to graduate school; 3) cultural topics, such as integrating indigenous cultures with Western ways; and 4) career topics such as balancing career and life and writing resumes. Further, they will be trained in leadership and communication skills, and attend the National AISES Conference to network with Native faculty and participate in other career-boosting activities.
Pathway students will receive the most intensive training and support during their first two years in the project, and then receive continued mentoring for remaining years of the project.
The varied types of training and culturally sensitive support offered by "Lighting the Pathway" and the project's use of the broad-based community provided by AISES, a well-established and engaged organization, will encircle each Pathway student with resources-both geographically and intellectually.
Funding from multiple directorates
Because of the multidisciplinary nature of "Lighting the Pathway," the project will be funded by multiple NSF directorates. These directorates are Biological Sciences, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Education and Human Resources, Engineering, Geosciences and Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2014, its budget is $7.2 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 50,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards about $593 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
Identity thieves target kids as well as adults
By Jason Alderman
I'm sorry to report that child identity fraud is alive and well in 2014. If anything, the problem may be worsening as identity thieves devise new methods to steal – and use – children's personal information. Most commonly, they'll harvest kids' dormant Social Security numbers (SSNs) and use them to illegally obtain jobs or open fraudulent bank and credit accounts, mortgages or car loans.
Many victims don't realize there's a problem until they later apply for a student loan, bank account, job or apartment and are turned down because of the poor credit history someone else racked up. Some families are even hounded by collection agencies or arrested because the debts or criminal activities were so extreme.
There are no completely foolproof methods to protect your children's identities, but here are some precautions you can take:
While it's tempting to simply not register your kids for SSNs until they turn 18, that's not practical in today's world. For one thing, they'll need one to be claimed as dependents on your taxes. You may also need SSNs for your kids to obtain medical coverage or government services or to open bank accounts in their names.
Because each person's SSN is unique, it's not uncommon for schools, healthcare providers, insurance companies, banks and others to require them as ID. However, don't be afraid to ask:
Why do they need to use an SSN – is there a legal requirement? Will they accept alternative identification? What will happen if you don't disclose it? What security precautions do they take with personal information? Will they agree not to use the SSN as your child's personal identification number on correspondence, account statements or ID cards? Watch for these clues your child's personal data may have been compromised:
They receive preapproved credit account offers. They receive calls or billing statements from collection agencies, creditors or government agencies. You're unable to open a bank account in their name because one already exists with the same SSN. They're denied credit, employment, a driver's license or college enrollment for unknown or credit-related reasons. Remember, there could be legitimate reasons why your child is receiving credit offers. For example, it could be a marketing outreach from an affiliate of your bank or because you opened a college fund in their name.
If you strongly suspect or have evidence that identity theft has been committed, you can:
File a police report and keep a copy as proof of the crime. Contact the fraud units at the three major credit bureaus for instructions: Equifax (800-525-6285), Experian (888-397-3742) and TransUnion (800-680-7289). Notify the Federal Trade Commission (877-438-4338), whose Identity Theft site contains information on fraud alerts, credit freezes, how to work with police and much more (www.ftc.gov). Ask Social Security (800-772-1213) whether anyone has reported income using your child's SSN. Search "Identity Theft" at www.ssa.gov for information. Contact the IRS' Identity Protection Unit (800-980-4490). The FTC recommends contacting the three credit bureaus around your child's 16th birthday to see whether they have credit reports on file. (There usually wouldn't be unless they're an authorized user on one of your accounts.) If there is a report – and it has errors due to fraud or misuse – you'll have time to correct it before you kid needs to use credit.
Warn your kids about the dangers of revealing personal information by phone, email, or social networking. Don't hesitate to monitor their accounts and install parental blocking software. And remember, if they share your computer, a downloaded virus could infect your accounts as well.
Jason Alderman directs Visa's financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.
P.O. Box 689
Agency Village, SD 57262
Sisseton Wahpeton College is requesting proposals to audit the financials statements of Sisseton Wahpeton College for the period of July 1, 2013 to June 30th, 2014. The proposal should be sent to Tanya Keeble, CFO at the above address. Proposals must be received by 4:30 P.M. September 18th, 2014.
The audit must be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in the "Government Auditing Standards" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Also, the audit must include compliance auditing described in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133 "Audits of State, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations". Questions and/or requests for additional information related to this proposal should be directed to Tanya Keeble at (605) 742-1108.
In order to facilitate comparisons of proposals received, the proposal should include:
1. A letter of transmittal stating your understanding for the necessary audit procedures.
2. Profile of your firm and audit team that will be assigned to the College's audit.
3. Employee and staff qualifications.
4. A statement that your firm meets the mandatory criteria as to independence and license to practice.
5. A copy of your more recent quality review report and a letter of comments (including any findings identified by your quality review).
6. A summary of your firm's experience within the last three years preparing tribal audits.
7. A breakdown of the all-inclusive set fee.
8. Any data as to minority preference.
9. Additional services to be provided as part of the audit.
Tiospa Zina Tribal School
Tiospa Zina School Board is accepting bids for Catering services. Catering will be once a month for the Regular School Board Meetings, which are the second Tuesday of every month. Please note that regular meetings are subject to change. Please provide a menu with your bid. Bid shall be for approximately 20 people. Deadline is September 5, 2014.
For more information please feel free to contact Louella Cloud at 698-3953, ext. 205, or email her at email@example.com.
The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Office of Construction Management herein gives notification that sealed bid proposals will be accepted for the OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STORAGE GARAGE PROJECT, as outlined below:
Project Information:
Storage Garage to be constructed near the old OEP Office located in Agency Village, SD. See Map for location of new storage garage construction.
Statement of Work:
For this project, the Office of Environmental Protection shall provide copies of the bid schedule, building plan model, directions and other information to purchase from Menards.
The contractor shall be required to supply all materials, labor and equipment to construct the following:
1. Storage Garage Building - any footings, framing and site work
1. Concrete Pad, 4 inches thick for the building, that shall have a 1/8 inch slope per foot to properly drain water from the surface
2. Gravel base under concrete pad, properly compacted and at 4 inch depth
3. Electrical wiring of the building for interior lights and outlets
Contractor shall complete the project in accordance with specified plans and requirements to construct the storage garage building and all wiring shall meet specifications and electrical and building codes according to the plans and State of South Dakota.
Project Completion:
Contractor shall be required to submit a project schedule for time of completion.
Applicable Taxes:
Bid package to include:
A. Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) Tax in the amount of 3% of the bid submitted
B. Tribal Excise Tax in the amount of 2% of the bid submitted
C. Tribal Use Tax in the amount of 5% on materials included in the bid submitted
D. Proof of Workmen's Comp and Liability Insurance for all workers employed for the project
E. Copy of TERO Business License
Tax related questions can be directed towards:
SWO Tax Office Brenda Bellonger
Office: (605) 698-3541
TERO related questions can be directed towards: SWO TERO
DelRay German
Office: (605) 698-3549
Bid Bonds/Check:
Bidders will be required to submit a bid bond in the amount of 10% of total bid OR a certified check or bank draft for 5% of the total bid.
Bidders must submit line item of costs and taxes per the bid schedule attached and must submit all items stated within this Bid Notice or risk bids not being acknowledged.
Bidders may obtain bid schedule, building plan model information and directions from the Construction Management Office beginning August 19, 2014.
Bid Opening:
Deadline for receiving bids will be August 29, 2014 at 4:00 pm in the Construction Management Office of the Tribal Administration Building. Bids received after this time and date will not be considered. Preference will be given to Indian owned firms as required by the SissetonWahpeton Oyate TERO law and regulations. Bid award shall be subject to availability of funds.
The Office of Environmental Protection and Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Construction Management Office reserves the right to accept or reject any/all bids.
Please contact our office if you have any questions.
Psychic Spiritual Reader
Are you worried, confused, don't know where to turn, need help. I give advice on all matters of life past, present and future . . . call today for a better tomorrow. I also offer past life readings. For appointments call (605) 271-7277. 5201 West 41st. St. Suite 1, Sioux Falls, SD 57106.
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
Job Openings
The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate is seeking to fill the following positions(s):
Teacher, Early Head Start
Assistant Cook, Tribal Elderly
Cook/Supervisory, Administration Building
Tutor, JOM
Peer Tutor, JOM
Closing Date: August 29, 2014 @ 04:30 PM.
All interested applicants may obtain application and job description information at the Human Resource Department, of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate or contact Arnold Williams at (605) 698-8238 or Denise Hill at (605) 698-8362. (Tribal preference will apply)
Dakota Western Corporation
Accounting Assistant
Dakota Western Corporation has an immediate opening for an experienced Accounting Assistant. Duties will include but are not limited to payroll, accounts receivable and inventory. Minimum of 3 years of recent experience and college level accounting courses. Must have experience with MS Word, Excel and accounting software. Bring a resume and submit application in person at Dakota Western Corporation, 45679 Veterans Memorial Drive, Agency Village, SD 57262. Applications that do not meet the minimum qualifications will not be considered. Closing date: August 29, 2014.
POSITION: Dakota Plains Legal Services (DPLS), a non-profit legal services program, is accepting applications for a Legal Secretary/Paralegal position in our Sisseton, South Dakota, branch office. The Sisseton office serves the Flandreau, Lake Traverse and Yankton Sioux Tribe Indian reservations in South Dakota and the counties of Grant, Roberts and Charles Mix in South Dakota.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The person hired for this position will perform duties as both a legal secretary and a paralegal. The legal secretary duties involve providing secretarial and grant compliance services for branch office personnel as well as performing various administrative duties as directed by DPLS Administration. The paralegal duties involve assisting licensed attorneys in the delivery of legal services to DPLS clients and representing persons in criminal and civil matters before tribal courts and in administrative hearings.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicant must be a graduate of an accredited high school, or its equivalent; must be familiar with legal terms and pleadings; must be able to type 60 words per minute; must have two years' experience working in a law office, or its equivalent; must be able to maintain a good working relationship with DPLS staff and the client community; and must have experience utilizing word processing software. In addition, applicant, through formal education, training, and experience, must have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system, substantive and procedural law, and the ethical considerations of the legal profession which qualify him/her to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Applicant must have strong written and oral communication skills, must be self-motivated, must be willing to assume immediate responsibility and handle a significant caseload, and must have a demonstrated commitment to serving the needs of low-income people and Native Americans. Applicant must be qualified to obtain a license to practice in the local Tribal Courts.
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled.
SALARY: DOE and qualifications.
APPLICATION: Please submit a letter of interest and resume to: John J. Buchy, Executive Director, Dakota Plains Legal Services, PO Box 727, Mission, SD 57555, (605) 856-4444, firstname.lastname@example.com.
Native Americans, women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Dakota Plains Legal Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Regular full time Nursing Instructor needed for fall semester. Must possess valid SD Nursing License. BSN is required. Position is open until filled.
Visit our website at www.swc.tc for a full job description and application. Contact the HR office at (605) 742-1105.
Group Leader Positions -Excellent part-time opportunity!
Do you enjoy working with children? We are looking for team players to join our afterschool program as a part-time Group Leader for the 2014-2015 academic school year! Spend time supervising K-8 grade students during after school hours in a fun and energetic environment, while promoting the importance of the arts, physical fitness, and academic achievement.
Schedule: 2014-2015 academic school year (September-May 2015). Mon.-Thurs. 12:30-5:30 pm and some evenings. Hourly wage. Indian preference will apply. Visit www.esds.us for an application or contact Rebecca Dargatz at 947-4605 ext. 3062.
Tiospa Zina Tribal School
Employment Opportunities
2014-2015 School Year Vacancies:
Vacancy: Special Education Teacher (High School) Sign-on Bonus. Qualifications: Current South Dakota Certification meeting the Highly Qualified status for a Special Education Teacher. Opening Date: March 7, 2014.Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: Secondary Art Teacher. Qualifications: Current South Dakota Certification meeting the Highly Qualified status for a Secondary Art Teacher. Opening Date: July 1, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: Alternative Learning Center Teacher. Qualifications: Current South Dakota Certification meeting the Highly Qualified status for a Secondary Teacher. Opening Date: July 1, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: School Counselor. Qualifications: Current South Dakota Certification meeting the Highly Qualified status for a School Service Specialist School Counselor. Opening Date: May 23, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: School Social Worker. Qualifications: Current South Dakota Certification meeting the Highly Qualified status for a School Service Specialist School Social Worker. Opening Date: May 28, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: Head of Transportation/Bus Driver. Qualifications: High School Diploma/GED, Commercial Drivers License with air brakes and passenger endorsements, 1+ years of directly related experience, 1+ years of supervisory experience. Opening Date: August 21, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
2014-2015 Extra Curricular Vacancies:
Vacancy: 7th/8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach. Qualifications: GED/High School Diploma. If interested please submit an application and coaching applicant questionnaire to the Human Resources Department at Tiospa Zina Tribal School. Opening Date: April 8, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: 7th/8th Grade Girls Volleyball Coach. Qualifications: GED/High School Diploma. If interested please submit an application and coaching applicant questionnaire to the Human Resources Department at Tiospa Zina Tribal School. Opening Date: August 25, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: (2) 8th Grade Class Advisor. Qualifications: GED/High School Diploma. If interested please submit an application and Advisor Questionnaire to the Human Resources Department at Tiospa Zina Tribal School. Opening Date: April 11, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: AISES Advisor (American Indian Science and Engineering Society). Qualifications: GED/High School Diploma. If interested please submit an application and Advisor Questionnaire to the Human Resources Department at Tiospa Zina Tribal School. Opening Date: April 11, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: Destination Imagination Advisor. Qualifications: GED/High School Diploma. If interested please submit an application and Advisor Questionnaire to the Human Resources Department at Tiospa Zina Tribal School. Opening Date: April 11, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: (2) Junior Class Advisor. Qualifications: GED/High School Diploma. If interested please submit an application and Advisor Questionnaire to the Human Resources Department at Tiospa Zina Tribal School. Opening Date: April 11, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: (3) Senior Class Advisor. Qualifications: GED/High School Diploma. If interested please submit an application and Advisor Questionnaire to the Human Resources Department at Tiospa Zina Tribal School. Opening Date: April 11, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: Rodeo & Riding Club Advisor. Qualifications: GED/High School Diploma. If interested please submit an application and Advisor Questionnaire to the Human Resources Department at Tiospa Zina Tribal School. Opening Date: May 8, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
Vacancy: Web Master. Qualifications: GED/High School Diploma, familiar with and can assist staff in administration of their Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 web page software, able to keep school web pages updated and efficient. Opening Date: August 25, 2014. Closing Date: Open until filled
If you would like to apply to be a part of the TZ tiwahe you may pick up an application from the TZTS HR office located at #2 Tiospa Zina Dr. Agency Village, SD 57262. Applications may also be printed off the HR web page by downloading from links under employment forms to the left. Completed applications may be sent to PO Box 719, Agency Village, SD 57262. Faxed to: 605-698-7686. For further information call 605-698-3953 ext. 208. Indian Preference employer. At will employer. All applicants are subject to a Background Check and Pre-Employment Drug Test, pursuant to SWSB policy.
Dakota Magic Casino
Job Openings
Golf Course Department: Administrative Assistant (Full-Time) Day
Hotel: Department Room Attendant (2 Full-Time) 8am to finish
Marketing Department: Assistant Supervisor (Full-Time) Graveyard
Security Department: Officer (Full-Time) Swing
Closing Date: August 29, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.
Starting Wage: D.O.E.
High School Diploma or GED required for most positions
Two identifications documents required upon hire
If interested please submit application to Human Resources Department, 16849 102nd Street SE, Hankinson ND 58041.For complete Job Description contact James Neconish 701-634-3000 ext. 2582 Indian Preference will apply / EEO. (Please Provide Tribal Enrollment). Must be licensable by the SWO Gaming Commission.
Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel
Job Openings
Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel is seeking to fill the following position(s):
M.I.S. (Management Information Systems): COMPUTER SPECIALIST/PROGRAMMER (1 Full-Time) GENERAL FUNCTION: Your level of responsibility will assist end-users with computer issues. You are also responsible for computer maintenance. You will design and write code for programs as needed. You will also write custom reports for end-users when needed. You will be responsible for assisting end-users with computer issues, computer maintenance, and other IT tasks as designated by M.I.S. Manager or Supervisor. REQUIREMENTS: Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills. Flexibility and ability to work in a team environment. Associates degree in computer science, information systems, 2+ years experience in computer science, computer programming, information systems, or a related field or 6+ years experience in a related position; A+ Certification in beneficial. Extensive knowledge of Windows XP, Windows 7, 2000, 2003, 2008, MSSql Databases, Active Directory, VMWare, Crystal Reports, Visual Studio, Java and other programming languages. Ability to lift equipment in excess of 30lbs. Proficiency in Linux, IIS, POS systems, RAID technology, computer hardware, AS/400, networking and anti-virus methods is beneficial. Knowledge of servers if beneficial. Must obtain Key Gaming License upon hire.
This position will be advertised until it is filled.
Indian Preference will apply/EEO.
Contact the Human Resources Department for complete job descriptions at 1-800-658-4717 ext. 1652.
If interested please fill out an application and submit to: Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel, Human Resources Department, 16415 Sioux Conifer Road, Watertown, SD 57201.
Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel
Job Openings
Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel is seeking to fill the following position(s):
Sales & Marketing: Players Club Clerk (1 full-time). General function: Perform a variety of guest services functions to customers, including Players Club. Requirements: High school diploma or GED equivalent. Must have computer experience. Excellent customer service skills. Working knowledge of casino operations, including floor layout. Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time. Must be able to work all shifts, including weekends. Must obtain a Key Gaming License upon hire. Minimal bending and lifting. Repetitious computer work. (Days 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 12 p.m.-8 p.m., and swing 4 p.m.-12 a.m.)
This position will close on August 27, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.
Indian Preference will apply/EEO.
Contact the Human Resources Department for complete job descriptions at 1-800-658-4717 ext. 1652.
If interested please fill out an application and submit to: Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel, Human Resources Department, 16415 Sioux Conifer Road, Watertown, SD 57201.
Dakota Connection Casino
Job Openings
Position: Associate Manager
Department: Administration
Qualifications: B.A. in Business Administration, or minimum of 3 years management experience. Supervisory skills, excellent communication skills-both written and verbal, excellent people skills, computer literate. Able to work independently and with direction. Ability to effectively and accurately relay information to employees. Knowledge of Indian gaming. Must be able to obtain a Key Gaming License.
Hours: Rotating Shifts
Opening Date: Thursday, August 7, 2014
Closing Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 @ 4:00 pm
All positions will be exposed to noise & tobacco smoke
Indian preference will apply/EEO Employer.
Apply with the Human Resources Department, call or write for job description. Submit application to: Human Resources Department Dakota Connection Casino, 46102 SD Hwy 10, Sisseton, SD 57262.
Dakota Connection Casino
Job Openings
Security Department: Officer (2) full-time, rotating shifts, day, swing, graveyard, weekends & holidays. Mobility throughout the facility 45% percent of time; will be stooping, bending, walking for long periods of time, able to lift up to 40 pounds, computer skills required for report writing. Will be exposed to noise and tobacco smoke. Appropriate dress code. Must be at least 21 years old & have a High School Diploma or G.E.D. Must be able to obtain a Key License.
Opening date: Thursday, August 14, 2014
Closing date: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 @ 4:00 p.m.
All positions will be exposed to noise & tobacco smoke
Indian preference will apply/EEO Employer.
Apply with the Human Resources Department, call or write for job description. Submit application to: Human Resources Department Dakota Connection Casino, 46102 SD Hwy 10, Sisseton, SD 57262.
Dakota Connection Casino
Job Openings
Restaurant Department:
Prep Cook/Cook (2) full-time, rotating shifts, day, and swing, includes weekends & holidays. Previous experience is preferred. Must be able to multi-task; have the ability to work under pressure; the ability to operate necessary equipment; knowledge of food preparation safety requirements; physical ability to clean, lift heavy object up to 20 lbs or more, and restock inventory. Have the physical ability to stand for prolonged periods of time. Must be at least 18 years old & must have a High School diploma or GED.
Wait staff (2) full-time, rotating shifts, day, and swing, includes weekends & holidays. Customer service skills, prior experience with waiting on tables is preferred. Must be able to multi-task. Appropriate dress code. Have the physical ability to stand for prolonged periods of time. Must have a High school diploma or GED & be at least 18 years old.
C-Store Department:
Deli Attendant (2) full-time, rotating shifts, day, swing, graveyard, includes weekends & holidays. Ability to operate necessary equipment. Physical ability to stand for long hours, clean, lift heavy objects up to 30 lbs., and restock inventory. 6 mos. previous cooking experience preferred, 6 mos. working with the public. Knowledge of food preparation safety requirements. Must be dependable & available to work any & all shifts. Must be at least 18 years old & must have a High School diploma or GED.
Opening date: Thursday, August 21, 2014
Closing date: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 @ 4:00 p.m.
All positions will be exposed to noise & tobacco smoke
Indian preference will apply/EEO Employer.
Apply with the Human Resources Department, call or write for job description. Submit application to: Human Resources Department Dakota Connection Casino, 46102 SD Hwy 10, Sisseton, SD 57262.
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