General Council Thursday and Friday, June Tribe’s 2004 audit submitted to federal clearing house PRESORTED STANDARD Sota Per Copy 28 and 29, at Dakota Connection Plan now to attend the 140th annual Wacipi U.S. POSTAGE World Peace and Prayer Day/Honoring Photos, bios from the 2007 SWO Princess Contest; PAID Sota Iya Ye Yapi WILMOT, SD Sacred Sites Day Wednesday, June 20 Princesses to be crowned Friday night, June 29th PERMIT NO. 1 P.O. Box 628 ¢ SWO Tribe hosts first-ever regional tribal Dakota Nation Gaming to hold job fair elderly conference last week Photo highlights of Enemy Swim Day School Summer Agency Village, SD 57262 50 Buffalo Lake, Enemy Swim District Session Postmaster: members honored with healthy Next week in the Sota: Annual Visitors Guide to the Contents -- Time-Dated News Do Not Delay lifestyle awards Pow Wow This edition mailed at Wilmot, SD on June 18, 2007 Two Serving the Sisseton and Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation since 1968 Sections Vol. 38 June - Wazustecasa Wi - “Moon of Wild Strawberries Ripening” - Wednesday, June 20, 2007 No. 24 First-ever regional gathering to discuss tribal elderly issues – he Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe hosted a first-of-its-kind traditions alive, despite the oppression of the boarding Tregional gathering last week to discuss common tribal elderly. schools, the outlawing of our sacred language and The two-day event was held Monday and Tuesday, June 11 and 12, at ceremonies, and the attempt to destroy our culture Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel in Watertown. and even the basic unit of the Dakota family. I know that you resisted and stood strong, despite Response from participants from other tribes every attempt to make you into someone other was excellent, according to SWO Tribal Chairman than yourself. I know these things, because my own Michael I. Selvage Sr. Several visiting elders expressed mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers endured how glad they were to see how much attention the these tests and hardships, and yet motivated me to SWO Tribal government gives to their elderly. uphold, protect, and promote the well-being of our “They were surprised and glad to hear how our Dakota people and community. They are the ones Tribal Council sets aside two days each month for who taught me to think of the people first, before our elderly concerns,” said the Chairman. serving my own needs or concerns. “And they were glad to hear about the new elderly When I think of your sacrifices for us, I become facility we’re building,” he added. nearly speechless, and I wonder how we can ever Chairman Selvage said that one outcome of the repay you for all those things that you endured, so two days was a suggestion to create a Dakota/Lakota/ that our families can live. As Tribal Chairman of the SWO veterans of Nakota coalition to address tribal elderly needs Sissetonwan Wahpetonwan Ospaye, from my heart, American Legion Post regionally. I say to you: Nina Wopida Tankan. I come before you 314 serve as honor Such a coalition, he said “. could become a force in a good way, to say thank you for everything that guard during opening in NCAI (National Congress of American Indians).” you have done for our people. You have nurtured and ceremony last Monday Visitors said that not all tribes “. have the kept the flames of hope alive, and I am very thankful at the tribal elderly political influence that the tribes in the Dakotas have of your efforts. (and) a coalition could serve all the tribes as a Here at Sisseton-Wahpeton, we are doing conference. better advocate in NCAI and affecting legislation.” everything that we can to accommodate and meet the Welcome address challenges of our tribal elderly. While our children By SWO Tribal Chairman Michael I. Selvage Sr. and youth are priority for us, our Tribal elderly people Hau, Mitakuyapi: are our greatest treasure. So many have passed on, On behalf of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, I take and I for one miss them. this opportunity of welcoming each one of you to this Here at Sisseton-Wahpeton, our non-federal gathering of our Elderly Oaye. Be assured that we are resources have increased, and at the same time, very happy to see you and at the same time, we are very we are challenged with the overwhelming task of Good news on tribal-federal funding front – humbled and honored that you have chosen to come balancing fulfillment of needs for all segments of our here today. I also want you to know that I am very membership. I admit that we need to do more for the appreciative of the sacrifices and commitments that Tribal elderly, and not a day passes without thinking you have demonstrated throughout the communities about how we can do that. As we speak, we are of our Dakota/Nakota/Lakota Nation. working on designing plans that would address and As a member and descendant of the Waanatan fulfill the real needs of our Tribal elderly, and I am ccording to SWO Tribal Chairman Michael I. Selvage Sr., the 2004 Tribal audit has been and Wakinyan Duta (Red Thunder) Tiospaye of the confident that progress will be made in the months Acompleted by Joseph Eve & Co. and submitted to the federal clearing house. Bde Hda Kiya, Lake Traverse Community, I know ahead. that we cannot know who we are, unless we know Therefore, it is with the greatest respect for you, Target date for completion of the 2005 audit, budgets for fiscal year 2008. (See the notice whom we came from. that we wish you well during this conference. I have he said, is the end of July 2007. published by the Vice-Chairman’s office elsewhere I know that you are the keepers of all those who SWO Tribal Vice-Chairman Jake Thompson in this edition.) Tribal Council looked at the ’08 came before us, and I also know that you have paid Tribal elderly conference added that the 2006 Tribal audit completion requests with the goal of deficit reduction in a heavy price in keeping our Dakota way of life alive. Continued on Page 4 taerget is December 2007, which would bring the mind. I also know that many of you kept our language and Tribe current with its record-keeping for federal Results of this review will be available at next program support. week’s General Council. Delays in completing the audits has threatened Oyate Tribal members are asked to attend continued funding of Tribal programs and the General Council session next Thursday and necessitated a conservative review of all program Friday, June 28 and 29, at Dakota Connection. (Editor’s note: See photo highlights of the Princess and Nick Thompson and Ulysses Abraham sponsored $300; 4th Place $200; 5th Place $100. Sr.; Vice-Chairman Jacob “Jake” Thompson; Secretary Contest elsewhere in this edition of the Sota. Next by Monte Thompson and Family. Jr. Boy’s and Girls Category 6 – 12: Traditional Delbert Hopkins Jr.; Big Coulee District Council week: Visitors Guide to the Pow Wow.) Jr. Boys Traditional Special Anthony Philbrick - Grass - Fancy (Boys); Traditional - Jingle - Fancy person Norma Perko; Buffalo Lake Council person Headstaff: MCs are Tommy Christian and Terry St. John (Mato Ohitika) in memory of Lawrence (Girls) – 1st Place $300; 2nd Place; $200; 3rd Place Terri Larsen; Enemy Swim District Council person Fiddler; Arena Directors Nathan Smith and Arnold Philbrick. $100; 4th Place $75; 5th Place $50. Audrey Bernard; Heipa District Councilman Winfield Williams; Head Singing Judges Ted Phelps and Monte Singing Contest sponsored by Danette Crawford Singing Contest: 1st Place $10,000; 2nd Place Rondell Jr.; Lake Traverse District Councilman Jerry Thompson. and Family. $7,500; 3rd Place $6,000; 4th Place $4,500; 5th Place Flute; Long Hollow District Council person Virginia Host Drums: SWO local drums. Men and Women’s Golden Age Category (55 and $3,000. Max; Old Agency District Councilman Floyd Kirk Jr. Grand Entries: Thursday Warm-Up at 7:00 p.m.; Over) Traditional and Grass (Men) Moccasin Tournament: 1st Place $2,500; 2nd Powwow Committee: Chairman Arnold Williams; Friday 1:00 and 7:00 p.m.; Saturday 1:00 and 7:00 Traditional and Jingle (Women): 1st Place $1000; Place $1,500; 3rd Place $1,200; 4th Place $500. Vice-Chairman Louie Johnson; Treasurer Danny p.m.; Sunday 1:00 p.m. 2nd Place $800; 3rd Place $600; 4th Place $400; 5th Tiny Tots will be paid day money. Seaboy Jr.; Secretary Danette Crawford; Kenny Gill, Miss SWO Tessa Quinn Tate Waste’ Win Teen Place $200. $5,000 Drum Split Non Contest Drums. Eric Shepherd, and Monte Thompson. Girls Fancy Special: 1st Place $300 and Star Quilt; 2nd Sr. Men’s and Women’s Adult Category (35 – 54) Other Events Security Provided 24 Hours Each Day: No Place $200 and Shawl; 3rd Place $100 and Shawl. Traditional - Grass - Fancy (Men), Traditional - Jingle *Man and Woman Team Hand Drum. Firearms, Alcohol or Drugs Allowed. Committee not Jr. Miss SWO Shelby Rose Morales Wihmunke - Fancy (Women): 1st Place $1000; 2nd Place; $800; *Archery Contest. responsible for lost, stolen property or lack of funds. Wiyakpa Win Jr. Girls Fancy Special: 1st Place $100 3rd Place $600; 4th Place $400; 5th Place $200. *Golf Tournament. Hotel Information: Dakota Magic Hotel 701- and Jacket; 2nd Place $75 and Jacket; 3rd Place $50 Adult Men and Women’s Category 18 – 34: *Rodeo. 634-3000; Dakota Sioux Hotel 877-250-2121; Super and Jacket; 4th Place $25 and Jacket. Traditional - Grass - Fancy (Men); Traditional - Jingle *Youth Basketball Tournament.