To say that the Lakota Treaties of 1851 and 1868 are irrelevant is wrong!

 

The dialogue concerning this issue was brought to my attention by Oglala Sioux Tribal Council Healthcare Committee members at the scheduled meeting of the three Tribal Health Committees representatives on the October 25, 2021 at the Holliday Inn near the Rapid City Civic Center.  Oglala Sioux Tribe, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and Rosebud Sioux Tribal Health Board Committees alone with Oyate Health/Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board administration and representatives of the Rapid City Indian Elderly Committee. The major discussion was concerning the Rosebud Sioux Tribe joining the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in contracting the building and the operation of the new Oyate Health Center currently being constructed upon the Sioux San Hospital grounds.

The persuasion discussion brought forth was for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe to join in the contracting of the new hospital facility construction and health services through federal mandate policy of Self-determination by 638 federal contracting law.  This allows Tribal Councils to pursue and provide quality healthcare to all their Tribal Members including off-reservation members such Oglala Sioux Rapid City Tribal Members as well as those Tribal Members from the other two Sioux Tribal Councils.

The discussion continue on with a Tribal Council  Health Committee representative  from Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) who stated that the federal government had the responsibility to provide quality health care based on the Sioux Treaties guaranteed by federal recognized mandates to provide quality healthcare to all Tribal Members through Indian Health Service (IHS) federal healthcare agency.

The discussion became confusing when another OST Tribal Council member on the Health Committee stated that IHS was not a favorable agency he look upon to work with because of the historical transgressions they imposed upon the Tribes under their supervision.   As well as the OST Health Care Committee member stated, “What has these treaties done for the Sioux Indian people.  Look they took the Black Hills and the lands, and we are meeting here still thinking we own the Black Hills.  What has those treaties done for us. Nothing!”

My thoughts became filled with my numerous sympathies of how many Lakota people have suffered, died, as well as those currently who are attending to healthcare services to the Oyate based upon those treaties.   This statement disregarded the thinking of sovereignty of the Lakota leadership from the past as well as recently who have committed their profession lives to those pillars of the Lakota nation based upon the 1851 and 1868 Sioux Treaties.  Treaty agreements written in the United States Constitution and its amendments were the persisting laws which include both physical/mental health as well as the prosperity of the Lakota people.  Each and everyone one of those Tribal Council members take an oath to uphold the laws and the US Constitution based upon those treaties made between two sovereign Nations.

My whole being could not sit there and disregard my Lakota heritage and commitment to all Native American people.  I asked to speak as an elderly, and it was granted by OST Chairperson of the Health Committee who honored me by letting me to address  this group of Lakota Tribal Council people present and as well as those who were there to share in the discussion of 638 contracting.

Within me, I was a truly hurt; I cannot explain these feelings coming forth as when in the past I would see my children being hurt by racist remarks because of being Lakota.  Just, as I felt this pain several times in the past within my professional career in education when I would see Lakota higher education students, high school and elementary children and their parents being treated as second class citizens by teachers and administration.

To say, the 1851 and 1868 Lakota Treaties were irrelevant was a like having a shape knife put in one’s side.   Each person at the meeting of such major important discussion as health care never stood up to challenges these false accusations.  Everyone in the healthcare committee meeting were paid to represent and dealt with the needs of all the Lakota Oyate under the 638 consideration.   The Lakota elderly committee members which I am part have never been paid by the Tribal Governments or the Oyate Health Center for attending their meeting for we all volunteer are services and time.  We were appointed by the Rapid City Indian Community when this 638 Contracting begin to represent their healthcare needs and continue to monitor healthcare needs even today to assist in making Indian healthcare better for all the Native American residents in Rapid City.

In fact, the very healthcare facility being built today at Sioux San was initiated by the Rapid City Indian Health Board.  The Indian populace in Rapid City is one of the largest population of Indian Tribal membership in the region being used to be included in the total number of patient enrollment at Sioux San Hospital for Oyate Health Center.  Rapid City Tribal numbers are needed to accrue the funding necessary to make the 638 Contracting successful, workable and also supportive to the Tribal Reservation Healthcare system.

If I am wrong show me and I will gladly change by thinking that the 1851 and 1868 Sioux Treaties are not relevant to Lakota sovereignty and as well as just compensation for the abuses of the healthcare treatment of Lakota people in the recent past and even today.   I strongly believe in the Self-determination Policy for the Lakota Oyate as well as individuals with rights to be who they are.  They should not be treated as a herd mentality to be run through healthcare and education systems that do not recognize their right to be successful on their own terms.  Think about your own healthcare needs for your family, children, friends and elderly we all different but we are the same because of the 1851 and 1868 Sioux Treaties.

There is a Lakota saying, “Don’t let the enemy into your camp because he or she will steal and sell you out.” There is also an old cowboy saying, “Dangle a carrot in front of donkey and they will pull a heavy load for you anywhere.”

I apology if I have hurt you in anyway by my words; but I will not give up my compassion and heartfelt belief in my Lakota people.   It worth any criticism anyone would throw at me! Make sure you know who is on your side. Hechatoyelo! Hokahe ! Toksa akhe wachin yan kin kte! If not in this world but in the other world!

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