PRESORTED Inside this Sota Sota Per Copy STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE New administration sets “government transparency” as priority; Tribal Council sessions being broadcast live over PAID WILMOT, SD KXSW-Radio PERMIT NO. 1 Postmaster: Change service requested Oyate question overturning Tribal Secretary election results; Independent judge to hear Sota Iya Ye Yapi, P.O. Box 5, Wilmot, SD 57279 ¢ arguments Thursday, January 22nd Contents – Time-Dated News/Do Not Delay Sota report on Sisseton public schools Title VII public forum SWC partners with NDSU to serve American Indian students Mailed at Wilmot, SD, Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 Coming soon: New Sota column open to young Oyate reporters 75 Deadline for receipt of copy is Friday noon Publication of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe of the Lake Traverse Reservation since 1968 Vol. 46 December - Can Popa Wi - “Moon of Trees Crackling” - Anpetu Iyamni - January 21, 2015 No. 3 By CD Floro Sota Editor itting the ground running, SWO Tribal Chairman Bruce Renville is fulfilling a pledge to make Tribal government more transparent by having Council meetings broadcast live. Oyate can tune in the sessions live over KXSW-FM on 89.9 FM on the radio dial; or streaming over the internet Hat http://kxsw899fm.wix.com/dakota/. This service allows not only Oyate in the FM One issue that has raised a lot of questions is how coverage area to listen, but those from anywhere as long Tribal Council, Tribal Court and REB have handled as they have access to the internet. overturning general election results which had Crystal Sota Reporter/Photographer John Heminger Owen as Tribal Secretary-elect in last November’s race. attended the first meetings this past week. He would Lorraine Rousseau filed a challenge in Tribal Court and like to do live video streaming, and we’re working on asked Oyate to sign a petition. (See related article.) the technical issues to make that happen. Here are photo highlights from the two days of John noticed that while attendance was very light, meetings, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 13- SWO Tribal Council meeting last week; meetings are now being broadcast live over Tribal radio if an issue ignited interest more and more people would 14. station KXSW-FM on the air and on the internet. filter into the Council chambers. Fargo, N.D., Jan. 16 – Representatives from North “We’re very excited about this opportunity to Dakota State University and Sisseton Wahpeton College strengthen our relationship with Sisseton Wahpeton today signed a memorandum of understanding aimed College, particularly by collaborating with them in at strengthening both institutions abilities to meet the establishing a program that will meet the needs of needs of American Indian students. Native American students and help them to prepare The agreement is expected for important leadership roles in tribal to help American Indian students communities,” said Kent Sandstrom, pursue advanced degrees at dean of the NDSU College of Arts, institutions of higher learning. Humanities and Social Sciences. Thursday, January 15 Council session – view from behind SWO Tribal Chairman Bruce Renville, Sisseton Wahpeton College Sisseton Wahpeton College Acting SWO Tribal Secretary Winfield “JR” Rondell. (Sota photo by John Heminger.) is using a $1.2 million grant from students also will be introduced to the National Science Foundation’s NDSU research. The undergraduate Tribal Colleges and Universities Program to increase research experiences are expected to help recruit and its science, technology, engineering and mathematics retain underrepresented students into STEM studies instructional and research capacities. and careers, which is another goal of the Tribal Colleges The agreement’s objectives include: and Universities Program. · Providing transitional programs and support “The connection of faculty to research and thereby services to facilitate the transfer of students between the the student to culturally and geographically relevant institutions research is an important step in producing students · Developing a faculty exchange program, which who are more likely to pursue advanced degrees,” said includes teaching opportunities for NDSU graduate Scott Morgan, director of institutional research and students programs at Sisseton Wahpeton College. · Identifying collaborative research, Officials attending the signing included Tribal Executives. (Sota photo by John scholarship and service-learning Sandstrom and NDSU Vice Provost Heminger.) Buffalo Lake, Big Coulee and Toka Nuwan projects for both institutions’ for Academic Affairs Charlene Wolf- Tribal Council representatives. (Sota photo by students, faculty and staff Hall, and Morgan and Sisseton John Heminger.) · Fostering cultural education Wahpeton College President and enrichment Harvey DuMarce. · Developing an articulation “I look forward to working agreement so that students with NDSU officials,” DuMarce participating in classes at said. “This memorandum of Sisseton Wahpeton College can understanding will open up more easily transfer to NDSU to pursue a educational opportunities for both of By Sierra Wolcott makes contact with students, parents, and faculty to bachelor’s degree our institutions.” Sota Assistant Editor ensure the success of the student. NDSU also will help Sisseton Sisseton Wahpeton College was The annual Sisseton School District Title VII When asked how parents and students know about Wahpeton College establish an associate of founded in 1979 and typically serves public forum was held last Wednesday evening, January the services Title VII provides, parents were told there arts degree in the behavioral sciences. The program will 200 to 250 students, mostly enrolled members of the 14 in the multipurpose room at Sisseton High School. is a brochure given to all students when they register in include a wide range of disciplines within the subject Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. A similar memorandum of There were four parents in attendance as well as the District for the first time. area. The agreement provides Sisseton Wahpeton understanding was signed in 2014 with South Dakota the Title VII Board, Title VII employees, the Sisseton Joy Lohre, who works with students at the High College students with teachers in fields that are not State University. The National Science Foundation School Superintendent Dr. Stephen Schulte, SWO School expressed that the kids know her. When they often accessible to them. grant is No. 1361649. JOM Manager Robin Robertson, and representing the need something they contact her. SWO Education Director Dr. Sherry Johnson. A parent asked what the policy was on transporting Title VII Director Delphine Wanna opened the students to appointments. Title VII employees can meeting with an overview of the program. only transport students to IHS for behavioral health This school year, she reported, there are 598 appointments. For dental and medical appointments students of Native American descent attending the students must be transported by a parent or guardian Sisseton School District; that is out of 956 students total due to IHS regulations. in the District. Many questions were asked in regard to Delphine submitted the Title VII annual attendance. It is mandatory to mail out a letter when certification to the Department of Education (DOE) on students have missed ten total days. Tutoring or other December 1st, 2014. measures may be decided at this point. If the absences Sometime before April she will receive word on are culturally related or due to medical/dental reasons the budget amount for the next fiscal year. Title VII will the courts with most likely not become involved. thensubmit the next year’s objectives. For the current Board Chair Sherylin Marks asked Dr. Johnson year objectives for the Program include attendance, what she believed would be the best system for getting math, and reading. kids to school. Dr. Johnson asked how results were quantified for Dr. Johnson replied that attendance is an issue goals. everywhere. Having the parents come to a Board Delphine Wanna explained that, as far as the meeting to explain absences is one way to keep parents application to the DOE, Title I Director Dr. April accountable, not only students. Dr. Johnson also stated Moen submits student test scores. Title VII helps with that the Title VII Program is doing a good job. She tutoring, rides home after tutoring, school supplies, and stated that it would be a good idea for the Program has Ipads and laptops students can borrow. Program to have quantifiable data. That way progress can be employees also make calls, she explained, when children tracked. are not at school. Communication is an important role for Title VII Sisseton Title VII forum Officials from NDSU and Sisseton Wahpeton College discuss a memorandum of understanding employees. When students are missing school Title VII Continued on Page 2 aimed at meeting the needs of American Indian students. Social “helper” column dedicated to young generation Oyate – By CD Floro Secretary) put out on Facebook that I was dishonest and Sota Editor that I owed Tribal Housing $6000.00 so I should get Candidates for Tribal out of the election. office are ineligible to Of course I was upset about it but I chalked it up run for office if they owe to a poor attempt at political bashing against me. I knew debts to Tribal programs this woman worked for the Tribal Secretary and … she and/or entities and have already had a personal vendetta against me. By Shay Dirtseller than anything I could possibly imagine, but I also saw not arranged to pay them Despite this fabricated information being put out Dear Shay: how other young girls thought it was just the bees knee by the deadline of the there I still managed to win the General Election. I am writing just so my question and voice will be to be taken shopping or being drunk at their parties or certification process. It The Tribal Council on the night of November 4th heard and I feel comfortable in knowing you will allow meeting up with them just because they had money and is the responsibility of after the General Election made a motion to accept the me to do so.