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PRESORTED Sota Per Copy STANDARD Inside this Sota U.S. POSTAGE SWST Chairman Flute testifies at Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on IHS PAID WILMOT, SD Lifetime of accomplishments honoring held for Kurt BlueDog PERMIT NO. 1 Veterans Wacipi 2017: Photos by John Heminger next week in the Sota Change service requested Sota report on last week’s regular Tribal Council session Sota Iya Ye Yapi, P.O. Box 5, Wilmot, SD 57279 ¢ Roundtable discussion held on special election Contents – Time-Dated News/Do Not Delay Cesdi Happens (colorectal cancer screening) at Dakota Magic this Wednesday Mailed at Wilmot, SD, Monday, Nov. 13, 2017 75 Early copy requested for Thanksgiving week Publication of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe of the Lake Traverse Reservation since 1968 Vol. 48 November - Tahe Capsun Wi - “Moon of Horns Shedding” - Anpetu Iyamni - Nov. 15, 2017 No. 46 Tribal Chairman Dave Flute was called to She argued that the IHS has been responsive, and Upon taking office in 2015, my staff and I have Washington, DC again, to testify before the U.S. Senate that the agency takes seriously its mission to provide spent significant time trying to learn more about these Committee on Indian Affairs, after having done so on health services to American Indian/Alaska Native problems. October 25th. people. In our research, we found four primary areas of The Chairman’s appearance last Wednesday, The IHS, she said, is engaged in making concern: there is no funding allocation strategy for November 8th, was at the request of Senator Mike assessments and necessary changes to provide quality the 12 IHS regions, there is no standard of quality Rounds (R-SD), who is seeking support for his care to those under its care. measurement, there is high turnover of staff resulting in legislation calling for the IHS to be audited by an Committee Chairman Senator Hoeven (R-ND) low accountability amongst management and there is no independent firm. opened the hearing, describing the bills. consultation with tribes. The Committee hearing was called to review Here are Senator Rounds’ remarks as prepared for The IHS serves approximately 2.2 million Senator Rounds bill, S. 465, the Independent Outside the hearing: Native Americans, who are members of 567 federally Audit of the Indian Health Service Act of 2017. Good afternoon. recognized tribes. The Committee also heard testimony regarding I first want to start off by thanking Chairman For fiscal year 2017, IHS was appropriated just SWST Chairman Dave Flute testifies last week S. 1400, the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Hoeven, Vice-Chairman Udall and the members of the under $5 billion dollars in discretionary funding and on behalf of a bill sponsored by Senator Rounds Act of 2017. This legislation would provide greater Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for their dedicated $147 million dollars in mandatory funding from the which would mandate an external audit of IHS. protection for tribes from theft of cultural artifacts service to the Native American communities. Special Diabetes Program. – some exported to foreign countries where they are Today, I am introducing my bill to provide for a This does not include third-party collections of While many believe that IHS is underfunded, from auctioned off, sold illegally for profit. comprehensive assessment of the Indian Health Service, approximately $1.1 billion dollars. my standpoint, investing more taxpayer money into a At last Wednesday’s hearing, both Senator Rounds S.465. Despite a large user population and an annual dysfunctional system will only compound the problem. and Chairman Flute spoke on behalf of passing the bill. As you know, the IHS is the agency responsible for appropriation of $5 billion, IHS does NOT have a IHS lacks an efficient system and accountability; this Also testifying on S. 465 was Ms. Elizabeth A. providing health care for American Indians and Alaska funding formula. needs to be addressed before we consider funding. Then, Fowler Deputy Director for Management Operations, Natives as required by federal treaty agreement. Regional allocations are not based upon the I agree it will be time to talk about adequate funding. Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and For years, tribal members in my home state of number of people who received healthcare through IHS, Human Services, Rockville, Md. South Dakota have dealt with unimaginable horrors in regional user population growth or types of services Chairman Flute testifies Ms. Fowler testified that the bill is not necessary. dealing with IHS facilities. offered. Continued on Page 3 By CD Floro admonished, don’t close that list – chemotherapy this month, he plans Magic Convention Center. University Sota Editor not yet! to get back to work in whatever Here are excerpts from the of *Kurt SWST Chairman Dave Flute Kurt BlueDog is doing battle capacity possible. Doing what he document: South Dakota, Kurt served as worked as a Staff Attorney for the called for last week’s honoring these days not so much over tribal always has – fight for rights of *Kurt V. BlueDog was born a Commissioned Officer in the Native American Rights Funds for fellow Tribal member Kurt sovereignty rights, but battle with a Native peoples. on February 25, 1950 and is a U.S. Army. Kurt enrolled at the (NARF) upon graduating from BlueDog, and many accolades personal enemy – lung cancer. Last Tuesday, November 7, descendant of Chief BlueDog. University of Minnesota Law law school in 1977. Kurt worked highlighted Kurt’s long list of And treatments, a new 2017 was “Kurt V. BlueDog Day!” Kurt grew up on the Lake Traverse School, which began a long, storied, on projects related to Indian accomplishments. So, yes, this was approach to this cancer, Kurt says Chairman Flute signed a Reservation and graduated from and distinguished legal career in fact a lifetime of accomplishments are helping. proclamation, and presented it to Waubay High School. serving Indian tribes and promoting Kurt BlueDog Day honoring ceremony. But, as Kurt After another round of Kurt during the ceremony at Dakota *After graduating from the tribal sovereignty. Continued on Page 2 SWST Chairman Dave Flute Final speaker at the podium was National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Brandon Sazue, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. speaking, pictured with his father, the man of the hour, Kurt BlueDog. Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr, Kurt Bluedog, former Tribal Chairman Jerry Flute, He expressed much appreciation Bluedog Law & Shakopee Chairman Charles seated. for his relatives and friends for the R. Vig. Shakopee Chairman gave Kurt a Star honoring. Quilt. Henry Buffalo, longtime Minnesota Historical Society judge on the Shakopee court, Deputy Director Andrea Hart spoke of Kurt’s integrity and Kajer. loyalty, and that he has always Andrew Ebona, Tinglit Tribe, admired Kurt’s work. Juneau, AK, NIGA Board Treasurer, SWST Vice-Chairman Floyd Kirk Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman presenting his friend and fellow board Jr. presents this war club to Kurt. and national spokesperson for the member Kurt with an Alaskan eagle National Indian Gaming Association feather and soveriegnty pin. (NIGA), speaks about his friend and colleague Kurt. National Indian Gaming Association Board Treasurer Willie Hardacker; who Andrew Ebona, answered an ad to work in Kurt’s first office for $7 an Tinglit Tribe, Alaska. Former Tribal Councilman hour -- his first employee. Kevin Roberts speaks about the special tie he has with his Andrew Small, former law brother Kurt ever since he was partner. little, and how it has helped in his career. Kurt BlueDog Day Continued from Page 1 education, economic development, tribal sovereignty, American Indian religious freedom, land rights, tribal recognition, corrections, housing, and drafted seminal federal legislation that is still inm effect today. *Kurt spearheaded the drafting, Buffalo Lake Councilman Arnold White, Old Agency Councilman Eddie Johnson enactment, and implementation jr, SWST attorney Deb Flute,SWST attorney Greg Polson, SWST attorney Megan of the Texas Kickapoo Act in the Lafromboise, Kurt Bluedog, SWST Vice Chairman Floyd Kirk Jr, and SWST Chairman 97th Congress. The Act re-affirmed Dave Flute. federal recognition and called for the creation of a reservation for the Texas Kickapoo. Kurt’s work on behalf of the Texas Kickapoo illustrates his profound dedication to protecting, preserving, and Bryan Akipa doing the eagle dance. establishing new land bases. *Kurt went into private practice after seven years at NARF. Kurt has represented many of the tribes in the Upper Midwest and has also served as a Tribal Court Judge for many different Indian tribes. Kurt has long represented the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Sisseton-Wahpeton United Veterans Association members give a salute to Kurt Community. BlueDog, who is surrounded by family, at the close of the evening. *More recently, in 2012, Kurt assisted the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in purchasing the sacred site Buffalo dancers. known as Pe Sla within the Black Hills and having the land placed into trust. Pe Sla (“the heart of everything that is”) is one of the most sacred sites to the people of the Oceti Sakowin. *Kurt’s uncle, Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble, served in the final allied offensive of the Korean War. Master Sgt. Keeble risked his life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. Kurt Oyate come and shake hands with Kurt and members of his family, offering helped spearhead the effort that personal congratulations. resulted in the Master Sgt. Keeble posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor. Master Sgt. Keeble was the first member of the Oceti Sakowin to receive the Medal of Honor. *Today the many attorneys Gabe DesRosiers talks about practicing federal Indian law have the dance clan, and how the worked for, or have been mentored traditional and modern dances by Kurt.