Indian Life: Senator receives Native American honoring

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe showed their gratitude to Senator John Thune with a Traditional Honoring on March 22. Since his election to the Senate last fall Thune has focused his efforts on legislation in Washington, D.C., that is helping all tribes in South Dakota.

"My grandparents came here to the Dakotas, for the same reason a lot of people do, and that is for the opportunity to live the American dream, but far too often that dream is left behind for people on the reservation. It is my belief that we can do a lot better by fostering relationships that will lead us to mutual prosperity, mutual growth and an opportunity for a better quality of life for all the people across South Dakota," Senator John Thune said.

The rhythmic beat of tribal drums echoed hauntingly through the Shakopee Room in the Royal River Casino, reminding all of an historic culture with strong spiritual beliefs and family relationships, as Senator Thune proudly accepted a red and white Star Quilt that was wrapped around him by tribal members. Star Quilts replaced buffalo robes in ceremonies and the religious lives of Native Americans. They are presented as a way to honor others at the time of deaths, birth and other important events as a way of giving and sharing.

Shortly after that presentation the Sisseton/Wahpeton Tribe honored Senator Thune with another Star Quilt. Other small tokens of appreciation were given shortly after that and they included a Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe flag, and a basketball. Tribal member Jeannie Faber, CEO of Wan ji Native Nation Consultants, Inc. served as Master of Ceremonies. The event began when the Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Post of Flandreau presented the flags and colors.

"Our fathers came to the bend in the river in Flandreau in 1859 with about 29 families, traveling from Nebraska with the promise of a better life," Tribal President Mark Allen said. The sacrifices and struggles of those people brought this generation Of Native Americans to where they are today. Today the goals of tribal leaders are similar, yet different because of the changing times.

"Today our focus is on growing South Dakota's only destination tourist resort with more outsiders coming here annually than to other parts of South Dakota each year,"

Move forward together

Senator Thune said too many times the work of politicians in Washington, D.C. results in a lot of confusing legislation. "We want to make some order out of that and I frankly think as we move forward together as people, and we have to move forward together to achieve an agenda, that it will allow all people to grow up and have a brighter and better future here in South Dakota," Senator Thune said. Part of the process of working will involve communication because it will create opportunities for better jobs if people talk to each other rather than pass each other. There must also be consultation after things have been talked through, so goals can be set for all to follow.

"We take steps in Washington, D.C. on legislation whether it has to do with Indian Health Service, education, economic development on the reservation, or trust reform, that process has to be one of consultation because the people who are ultimately the most impacted by those decisions in Washington, D.C. have to have a seat at the table when those decisions are being made," Thune said.

The final thing needed is collaboration in the form of a partnership between legislatures and people living in South Dakota. "The people who are the most successful function as a team," according to Thune. The trip to the Flandreau Santee Sioux Indian Reservation left an impression on the senator when he saw the economic savvy of the tribal leaders.

"I think that the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe has some extraordinary successes and they have created some economic opportunity for people here and we'd like to replicate that," Thune said.

Tribal leaders look forward to the working partnership. "The thing we want to provide is unity. We want to start working on some projects in Washington, D.C., and the unity that we have provided not only for our tribe but the 9 tribes in South Dakota as well," Allen said. "this was a wonderful ceremony for me here today and I am deeply honored and I look forward to working with the tribes here in South Dakota on an agenda that is good for Indian Country and all of South Dakota," Thune said.

He has been honored by a couple of other tribes in South Dakota and truly appreciates the honoring because he knows how much it means to the culture and how much it means when they recognize somebody in that way. Thune said it's important for federal, state and tribal leaders to work together as partners.