Crow Creek Chairman Lengkeek delivers State of Tribal Nations address

Part 1 of a series 

PIERRE –Crow Creek Tribal Chairman Peter Lengkeek delivered a very well prepared and well-articulated South Dakota State of Tribal Nations Address before a joint session of the South Dakota Legislature. 

On Thursday, January 12 the State of Tribal Nations Address at the State Capital in Pierre began with a traditional prayer by Wicasa Wakan Arvol Looking Horse followed by a prayer by the newly elected Ithanchan of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, J. Garrent Renville.

Leaders of South Dakota’s nine tribal nations, in a show of solidarity, entered the legislative chambers at the Capital, some adorned in their ancestral regalia including Wapaha (feather headdresses), carrying sag ye’ (staffs) representing their nations. Belinda Joe Rencountre then led a group of young singers from the Hunkpati Dakota Oyate schools and St Joseph Indian School in the Lakota/Dakota flag song.

Lengkeek introduced himself in his native Dakota language before recognizing esteemed elders of the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota nations, Faith Spotted Eagle, Gay Kingman and Chief Arvol Looking Horse. He also recognized all the tribal leaders who were present; Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairwoman Janet Alkiers, Lower Brule Sioux Tribal Chairman Clyde Estes, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Ryman Lebeau, Yankton Sioux Tribal Chairman Robert Flying Hawk, Oglala Sioux Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out and Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chairman J Garrett Renville.

Lengkeek said that although he could not adequately address all issues facing the nine tribal nations in South Dakota he mentioned economic development, the protection of natural resources, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, school choices, equitable school funding, mental health programming, substance abuse and prevention programming before focusing on those issues he deemed as most pertinent.

“The more immediate conversation to be had is the shared education of all students of South Dakota,” Chairman Lengkeek said and made the connection between food security and education. He recommended the need to expand the free and reduced meals program through USDA that was instituted during the pandemic that would allow students brains “to focus on learning rather than a growling stomach.”

He said expanding the free and reduced meal program is necessary not only for tribal students but also for all South Dakota students especially with the threat of rising inflation and food costs. He said tribes are willing to collaborate with local state and federal legislators to help make this a reality.

Lengkeek said over the past of couple of years many have lost family members due to the pandemic and emphasized the need for mental health services to deal with those losses.

He said South Dakota is not only a” food desert” but also a desert in availability of mental health services and encouraged the state to work with tribes on certification standards of mental health providers. 

Lengkeek said it was common knowledge that South Dakota suffers from a shortage of teachers and encouraged educators to work with South Dakota colleges and universities to meet those needs.

Then Lengkeek touched on a subject that has been a thorn in the side of many tribal members, the new social studies standards for K-12 education in the state being pushed by Gov. Kristi Noem and her administration.

After being asked by many tribal members whether he believed state legislators would listen to their concerns, Lengkeek replied, “My best explanation of my perspective of this issue is to reiterate what others have said before me, Oceti Sakonwin is South Dakota history,” Lengkeek said. “Oceti Sakonwin influence is evident in all areas within our state. In fact, no one can be a first, second, third or fourth generation South Dakota without embracing the word Dakota.”

Lengkeek said the definition of Dakota that is taught in social studies and history books as “friends or allies” is close, but a lot has been lost to translation. “The true meaning of the word Dakota is to be in a state of peace, balance and harmony.”

“Understanding the words meaning and that it represents a part of our rich and unique history is imperative,” Lengkeek said, but he added, unfortunately many South Dakotans that do not understand the history and culture of the nine sovereign tribes that are fully or partially located within the states boundaries.

“As leaders we need to have an educated constituency who can make informed decisions. We need to address the biases that have existed for generations. By insuring that all South Dakotans understand the Oceti Sakonwin culture and history,” Lengkeek emphasized.

He said this could be accomplished by assuring that the South Dakota Department of Education requires all South Dakota accredited schools to teach Oceti Sakonwin essential understanding and standards as required by existing legislation.

Lengkeek said that this can be accomplished by Oceti Sakonwin understanding being implementing as part of the school’s curriculum during the reaccreditation process as requested by the South Dakota Indian Education Office advisory council.

“The future generations of South Dakota should not be robbed of this incredible story of resilience and the rich history that has sustained our state and territory,” he said, and added that it must be acknowledged that there are many highly qualified tribal and non-tribal scholars, teachers and educators and knowledge keepers who can effectively continue to build upon the social studies standards already in place. “South Dakotans are very well capable of creating standards that are suitable for all ages and to ensure that Oceti Sakonwin history is represented,” Lengkeek said.

“Oceti Sakonwin history is part of our shared history of this state and should be utilized to help all South Dakotan students to learn, love and appreciate their home state well before reaching graduation. We must rely on and respect the commitment of highly qualified educators right here in South Dakota. We certainly do not need out-of-state intellects chosen in a politically motivated manner attempting to write the standards regarding how our history is taught.”

Next week Part 2 of South Dakota State of Tribal Nations Address.

(Contact Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa at stsaffwriter@nativesunnews.today

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