PRESORTED SWO Chairman Crawford’s initiatives, agenda reported; Red Nation consulting STANDARD fi rm submits report on SWO Chairman’s initiatives 2004 U.S. POSTAGE First of seven vans purchased for Tribal youth delivered to Lake Traverse PAID Per Copy Sota Iya Ye Yapi SISSETON, SD District; Will provide after-school transporation to Browns Valley School PERMIT NO. 6 JOM students P.O. Box 628 Dakota Sioux Casino holds recognition banquet for employees Agency Village, SD 57262 ¢ Tribe holds 4th annual Public Ice Fishing Derby, South Buffalo Lake, this last Postmaster: 50 Saturday, Feb. 28th; Watch for photo highlights in next week’s Sota Contents -- Time-Dated News Do Not Delay SWC to hold science fair for regional schools on March 11th This edition mailed at Sisseton, SD on or before March 1, 2004 Serving the Sisseton and Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation since 1968 Vol. 35 March - Ista Wicayazan Wi - “Moon of Snow Blind Eyes” - Wednesday 3, 2004 No. 9 SWO Tribal Chairman’s Why are these Browns Valley JOM initiatives, travel schedule students smiling? In the airport at Pierre, the Chairman happened (Editor’s note: The following The SWO has provided information comes from an to meet with Senator Tom Daschle who was headed in the first of seven vans -- interview with SWO Tribal another direction. They visited briefl y. Chairman James “J.C.” J.C. Crawford laughed, saying it was becoming a one for each District on the Crawford by the Sota editor last habit – running into Tom Daschle at airports. Lake Traverse Reservation week. LeeAnn TallBear On the previous Saturday, the two also managed a -- to the Browns Valley of Red Nation, Inc., personal meeting when they found themselves on the JOM program, for use in consultant to the Tribe, same fl ight from Minneapolis to Washington, D.C. – the transporting its 66 students has submitted an overview Senator returning to his offi ces and Chairman Crawford to and from after-school of the Chairman’s 2004 heading to the NCAI conference. events. Find out more about initiatives, also featured in SWO Chairman’s initiatives, travel the gift on page nine inside this edition of the Sota.) this edition of the Sota. SWO Chairman testifi es before S.D. Legislature Continued on Page 11 SWO Tribal Chairman James “J.C.” Crawford added his testimony to that of other South Dakota tribal In speech before NCAI – Health Service is currently forced to ration health care leaders in the state capitol last Friday, February 27th, to severely because of budget shortfalls, pointing out that successfully block passage of Senate Bill 28. Daschle calls for Congress to take active sick people are turned away every day from IHS hospitals The bill would have added another hurdle to any and clinics in this country unless they are in immediate future gaming compacts negotiated between the tribes role in trust reform, urges increased danger of losing their life or a limb. and state of South Dakota – requiring the signature not “Life or limb -- that’s not a fi gure of speech,” Daschle only of the Governor but Attorney General as well. support for health care in Indian country commented. “At IHS, it is the actual standard for care, Chairman Crawford argued that the bill would and it is a national disgrace.” overstep the state’s right to regulate Indian gaming, Earlier this month, the President’s proposed budget which is provided by federal law, and would erode tribal Flanked by for 2005 recommends only $2.1 billion for IHS clinical sovereignty. The way it is now, said the SWO Chairman, Joe Garcia, 1st services. That is more than 60 percent below the bare the compact is signed by the chief executives only of both Vice President, minimum needed to provide basic health care for people governments, thereby preserving and enhancing their on the left, and already in the IHS system. Daschle told the NCAI government-to-government relationship. NCAI President audience that he will offer an amendment to the FY 2005 Another reason the SWO Chairman opposed the bill Tex Hall, on the budget resolution to fully fund the clinical services portion was that it “confuses the gaming compact with tribal- right, Senator Tom of the Indian Health Services budget. state tax issues,” he said. Daschle delivers a “This nation has a treaty obligation to provide - and The bill, as originally drafted, would have proposed powerful message fully fund - Indian health care, and it must fulfi ll that sharing taxes on tobacco sales at Indian casinos between of support to NCAI obligation,” Daschle said. “It is unacceptable that the the tribes and state. “The state does not have the authority participants in federal government spends twice as much on health care to tax Indian gaming,” said Chairman Crawford, “and Washington, D.C. for federal prisoners as it does for Indian children’s health taxation is a completely separate area.” on Monday, Feb. care.” The Chairman sees taxation as a separate and very 23rd. Senator Daschle’s prepared remarks are attached important matter for negotiations between the tribes and below. the state. Text of Senator Daschle’s remarks to NCAI Testimony by tribal leaders from across South Dakota It is an honor and a privilege to participate in this apparently had the desired effect. Both the House and conference and to join you in celebrating the 60th Senate killed the bill. anniversary of the National Congress of American “Rather than run roughshod over the feelings of ditor’s note: SWO Tribal Chairman James “J.C.” and increase funding for Indian health care. Indians. There is no more powerful advocate for the rights some at this point or to ignore the wishes of some . it’s ECrawford attended the NCAI conference and In his remarks, Daschle criticized delays in the of Native people, and no more passionate or articulate probably best that this bill die a quiet death,” said Senate was present for Senator Daschle’s address. Chairman accounting and distribution of trust assets, and outlined voice for their hopes and dreams, than NCAI. Republican Leader Eric Bogue of Faith. Crawford said Senator Daschle “summed up all the issues three steps to move this process forward this year. Those I want to congratulate my friend, Chairman Tex Hall, Since 1989, the South Dakota Governor has had the we (tribes/NCAI) have . .” and praised him for speaking steps are: of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations, on his re- authority to enter into gaming compacts with tribes. out for tribal concerns in Congress. Chairman Crawford *A set of comprehensive Senate hearings to hear from election last fall as NCAI president. Tex is from North While this controversial bill is no longer before the also called for support in the 2004 election to re-elect tribal leaders on trust reform. Dakota, but we consider him one of our own. Last fall, I state legislature, tribal leaders across South Dakota are the Senator. “The tribes (voting) make a difference and *An end to congressional meddling with the judicial had the honor of standing next to Tex in the rotunda of wary that the legislature will make attempts in the future (Indian people) have that right at the polls,” he said. process in the Cobell litigation. the United States Capitol. We were there for the unveiling to move in on Indian gaming. In a speech to the National Congress of American *Consideration of legislation to create a workable of a new statue of an American hero, Sakakawea. Like The Chairman traveled to Pierre by chartered plane Indians Executive Council Winter Session last Monday, trust fund and begin making payments to trust holders. Sakakawea, Tex Hall has a gift that enables him to fi nd in order to take part in the hearing on the bill and return February 23rd, Senator Tom Daschle called for immediate Daschle pointed out that Administrations of both paths that others sometimes cannot fi nd. Thank you, in time for a mid-afternoon Tribal Council meeting. action by Congress to jump-start trust reform discussions political parties have been shirking their responsibility to President Hall, for using your gifts to help NCAI, and Indian trust account holders for years. He noted that last our nation, fi nd the right path forward. Senator Johnson addresses NCAI; Blasts November House Republican leaders inserted language in I also want to acknowledge your remarkable executive the Interior Appropriations bill that blocked the Interior director, Jackie Johnson, and her great staff. I want to President’s budget priorities Department from conducting a full and fair analysis of thank the tribal leaders and friends who are here from the U.S. Senator Tim increase of $4.9 million. TPA funds are critical because all trust accounts as ordered by the courts in the Cobell Great Sioux Nation of South Dakota. And thank you all Johnson also addressed the tribes use them to carry out day-to-day government lawsuit. for your support of NCAI’s Native Vote 2004 effort. NCAI conference last week programs and functions. The President’s request would “Our goal should be to re-focus on a simple task - Voting is self-determination. We saw that in the last in Washington, D.C. impede self-determination and neglects the federal providing fundamental justice to Indian trust account elections in my state. Tim Johnson says that, on Election The Senator highlighted government’s treaties and trust responsibilities. holders.” Daschle commented. “Regrettably, the day, his opponent’s supporters were quoting Custer: important legislative Senator Johnson has introduced several pieces of Administration seems more concerned about minimizing “Where the heck did all these Indians come from?” opportunities and blasted legislation targeted to address critical needs in Indian its fi nancial exposure than determining what account Senator Johnson will tell you.