North Dakota’s Tribal-State relationship address raises questions, concerns about sovereignty
On Jan. 7, the North Dakota Legislature’s Tribal-State Relationship address was given by Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairwoman Janet Alkire. The Iron Bull drum group sang a Victory Song and the Flag Song before her presentation. The Albert Grass Post 173, Fort Yates, North Dakota presented the colors before the dual session of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly to kick it all off.
Alkire was escorted to the podium by Sen. Richard Marcellais from Belcourt and Rep. Karen Rohr of Mandan. Marcellais wore a genuine Eagle feather headdress while performing his escort duty. Chairwoman Alkire was chosen to address the assembly on behalf of the five federally recognized Indian tribes of North Dakota, including Standing Rock, Spirit Lake, Turtle Mountain, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate and the Three Affiliated Tribes, also called the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation.
Alkire began her speech by greeting the legislators in her Lakota language and introducing herself by her traditional name, “Woman of High Honor.” She then praised North Dakota state officials, including the North Dakota Legislative Tribal-State Relations Committee and the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission. She thanked them for their compassion and collaboration in addressing the needs and concerns of the five tribes spread across the great State of North Dakota. No specific examples or accomplishments were cited. Then, rather than jumping into any policy or issues at hand, Alkire gave those in attendance a history lesson.
Tribal Chair Alkire shared some rich history of the Standing Rock people. She spoke of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 and the Treaty of 1868 and then moved on to tribal sovereignty. She failed to mention the federal Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, so I will provide a brief history lesson of my own.
On Sept. 10, 1976, traditional Oglala Chief Fools Crow addressed the Congressional Sub-Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. He had this to say about the IRA governments:
“On all our reservations today, there are tribal councils operating under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act. These councils were placed on the reservations by the United States Government to replace our traditional councils. These puppet governments are often times, the most corrupt governments around and bring out the very worse in the white man system of governments. Councilmen on these puppet governments always represent the view of the white man, because they are indoctrinated by the white man to act like this. These types of people are on the council because very few of our traditional people vote in these white man elections. I am told that only 30 percent of our people vote. These councilmen do not represent the majority of the people on the reservation. They testify only in their own self-interests.” Chief Fools Crow went on to state clearly, “the Black Hills are not for sale.” Hau, He cetu yelo.
Forgoing the historical remarks by Grandpa Fools Crow, it is at this point that the Standing Rock leader’s speech and its intent began to blur. Was Alkire there to flex some sovereignty muscle or to amplify the expansion of the five IRA councils’ dependence upon the benevolence of the State of North Dakota? Possibly, in an apparent proposal to shift the trust responsibility from the federal government with whom the tribes have treaties with, to the State of North Dakota and its tax paying citizens, such as myself.
I, for one, oppose that notion she appeared to put forth.
The chairwoman stated, “America voted for change this past November, change that includes reducing the size of the federal government while also shifting programs more directly to the local level. Though we are not sure how these changes will be implemented, and how they will impact the tribes; the tribes agree that a reduction in bureaucratic overhead could be extremely beneficial to tribes, like ours.” She did not expand on what that means.
She continued, “In addition, the move to shift the programs within the federal government to areas with stronger implementation and infrastructure could result in a better use of limited program dollars. But we need your help to ensure these changes help our common citizens. We must work together with our federal delegation to stress what is best for all our citizens, not just a few.”
Alkire did not state who “just a few” were, but one thing is sure: the times are a-changin’. For better or for worse? Only a coyote knows. Hoka Giddaha.
Mapoksha Itsii Huh Duh adu-ide’ Hita. Pedii-tsawets gadixxga-digi-nawiish.
Madixxuba Washuuga Ixxge’ Hey!
The Allotted-owned Badlands of Fort Berthold ain’t for sale, either.
Gowitz