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Sota Volume 42 Issue No. 5

Anpetu Iyamni, Feb. 1, 2012

Inside this Edition –

President Obama gives State of the Union Address; speaks to tribal leaders about plans to improve economy, health for "our first Americans"

NCAI: "Our America" Response to President Obama's State of the Union message

Toka Nuwan Unity Riders on Wokiksuye Ride December 2011

Sota Iya Ye Yapi distributed Tuesday mornings

"Ehanna Dakota Woyakapi"

Dakotah stories feature column

By Vine T. Marks

IAPI OAYE, May, 1871

OKODAKICIYE KIN

Wasicuwakan Dakota ekta tokaheya hipi wicasta wanjiksi nahanhin kiksuyapi naceca. Wanna waniyetu wikcemna yamni sanpa sakpe. Dena tokaheya hipi; Wanmdiduta, qa Matohota, qa Pejutawicasta qa Rev. J.D. Stevens hena tokaheya hipi, qa Tamakoce ikiyedan owicakihan. He ehan Dakota wanjidan kaes Jesus awacin sni naceca. Dakota wowapi wanica. Wasicu wanjiksi kitanna ieskapi qeyas tuwedan Dakota iapi wowapi kage kta okihi sni. Qa tuwedan Dakota wowapi onspewicakiye sni. Tuka hena hipi unkan Dakota iapi token owapi kta iyececa nina awacinpi qa ecadan iyukcanpi qa tanyan yustanpi. Qa nakun Wowapi Wakan ieska kagapi qa heciyetanhan wicasta ota Wakantanka oie nahonpi qa hunh wicadapi qa wiconi akitapi. Hecen wanna Dakota ekta wocekiye okodakiciye wanjiksi icaga. Wicasta wakan cajewicamdate cin eciyatanhan okodakiciye dena sahdogan.

1.  Ohnihde Okodakiciye. Isanyati minitanka iokagatanhan tipi kin hentu. Okodakiciye kin he wicacaje denakeca yuhapi 267. Wicasta wakan nom yuhapi, Rev. Artemas Ehnamani hee, qa Rev. Titus Icaduze. Wanna waniyetu topa hena wicayuhapi.

2.  Wakpa Ipaskan Okodakiciye. He wicacaje 107. Ptinhan okodakiciye kin de wicasta wanji kahnigapi qa wicasta wakan kiciyusutapi kta dapi. He nahanh yustanpi sni tuka iyutanhan econsipi qa mdoketu kin de yustanpi kta naceca. He Joseph Wicahincamaza Graham eciyapi.

3.  Mdeiyedan qa Pejutaziqapi Okodakiciye. Wihan wicacaje 41 he en unpi, qa Rev. John B. Renville, Ehakeun eciyapi kin, hena awanwicayaka tuka dehan Ehakeun Heipa ekta iyotanka qa wicasta wakan nicapi.

4.  Iyakaptapi Okodakiciye. Ptinhan okodakiciye kin de Ehakeun kicopi; unkan November 13, wiyawapi kin he en wicasta wakan miniciyapi qa kiciyuhekiyapi. Okodakiciye kin he wicacaje 65 yuhapi.

5.  Cansecaoju Okodakiciye. He wicacaje 42 yuhapi. Unkan ptinhan Zitkadan tawa yuhapi kta e dapi. Unkan December 18, he en wicasta wakan miniciyapi, qa Zitkadantawa wicasta wakan kagapi, qa okodakiciye yuhekiyapi.

6.  Kaksizahanska Okodakiciye. He wicacaje 80. Wanna de waniyetu iyamna Solomon Tunkansaiciye wicasta wakan yuhapi.

7.  Cegaiyeyapi Okodakiciye. He wicacaje 38. Okodakiciye kin de Louis Mazawakinyanna wanna tehan wahokonwicakiya , unkan he nakun December 18, he ehan wicasta wakan kagapi yustanpi.

8.  Ihanktowan Owakpamni Okodakiciye. He dehan wicacaje 19 en unpi. He nakaha askatudan kagapi wiyawapi kin de entu, March 19, 1871. Wasicuwakan tokaheya hipi qa wakantanka wokicijupi etanhan waniyetu wikcemna yamni sampa sakpe unkan okodakiciye hena sahdogan eagapi, qa wicacaje 659 wocekiye opapi. Hena owasin wicakapi qa nina htanipi kinhan wocekiye detanhan nina iyopte kta.

*****

++AGUYAPI TACAGU KAGAPI KIN++

Mini iteca, miniyatke ohnaka tom waksica tanka ohnakapi, qa aguyapi mdu icasosapi ; dape hce he hehan inapohye mazatukiha ojudan ohnakapi ; htayetu ehan de econpi kta, qa osni kinhan tukten sni kte sni en ehdepi\ kta. Ihanhanna kinhan nina patinzapi qa kanya ehdepi. Wiyotanhan ikiyedan napoge kta ; hehan ake patinzapi qa aguyapi ispanye ohna ehdepi, tohan ake napoge cinhan hehan hanhiya spanyanpi peta nina kate sni on.        Santee Agency, Cossin Jannie.

*****

Ahake de iyomakpike, takomni he ebdute kte. Aguyapi mdu iwacahi ka owohetipi mahed poyena waskankte, ka aguyapi mdu ataya amakahpa ka ska wicasta se wahinapekte. Wakaka yusinwayakte.

Eto denana epekte, mitaoyate, canwasteyaked, unsiiciya unpo, ka anpetu waste yuhapo.

Hau Mitakuyapi, Vine T. Marks, Sr.

Remarks by the President in State of the Union Address

United States Capitol

Washington, D.C.

Jan. 24, 2012

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought -- and several thousand gave their lives.

We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world. For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country. Most of al Qaeda's top lieutenants have been defeated. The Taliban's momentum has been broken, and some troops in Afghanistan have begun to come home.

These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness and teamwork of America's Armed Forces. At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations. They're not consumed with personal ambition. They don't obsess over their differences. They focus on the mission at hand. They work together.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example. Think about the America within our reach: A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we're in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren't so tied to unstable parts of the world. An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded.

We can do this. I know we can, because we've done it before. At the end of World War II, when another generation of heroes returned home from combat, they built the strongest economy and middle class the world has ever known. My grandfather, a veteran of Patton's Army, got the chance to go to college on the GI Bill. My grandmother, who worked on a bomber assembly line, was part of a workforce that turned out the best products on Earth.

The two of them shared the optimism of a nation that had triumphed over a depression and fascism. They understood they were part of something larger; that they were contributing to a story of success that every American had a chance to share -- the basic American promise that if you worked hard, you could do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and put a little away for retirement.

The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. What's at stake aren't Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. And we have to reclaim them.

Let's remember how we got here. Long before the recession, jobs and manufacturing began leaving our shores. Technology made businesses more efficient, but also made some jobs obsolete. Folks at the top saw their incomes rise like never before, but most hardworking Americans struggled with costs that were growing, paychecks that weren't, and personal debt that kept piling up.

In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. We learned that mortgages had been sold to people who couldn't afford or understand them. Banks had made huge bets and bonuses with other people's money. Regulators had looked the other way, or didn't have the authority to stop the bad behavior.

It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt, and left innocent, hardworking Americans holding the bag. In the six months before I took office, we lost nearly 4 million jobs. And we lost another 4 million before our policies were in full effect.

Those are the facts. But so are these: In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than 3 million jobs.

Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005. American manufacturers are hiring again, creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. Together, we've agreed to cut the deficit by more than $2 trillion. And we've put in place new rules to hold Wall Street accountable, so a crisis like this never happens again.

The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we've come too far to turn back now. As long as I'm President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place.

No, we will not go back to an economy weakened by outsourcing, bad debt, and phony financial profits. Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last -– an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.

Now, this blueprint begins with American manufacturing.

On the day I took office, our auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Some even said we should let it die. With a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen. In exchange for help, we demanded responsibility. We got workers and automakers to settle their differences. We got the industry to retool and restructure. Today, General Motors is back on top as the world's number-one automaker. Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. Ford is investing billions in U.S. plants and factories. And together, the entire industry added nearly 160,000 jobs.

We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back.

What's happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh. We can't bring every job back that's left our shore. But right now, it's getting more expensive to do business in places like China. Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. Today, for the first time in 15 years, Master Lock's unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity.

So we have a huge opportunity, at this moment, to bring manufacturing back. But we have to seize it. Tonight, my message to business leaders is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed.

We should start with our tax code. Right now, companies get tax breaks for moving jobs and profits overseas. Meanwhile, companies that choose to stay in America get hit with one of the highest tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and everyone knows it. So let's change it.

First, if you're a business that wants to outsource jobs, you shouldn't get a tax deduction for doing it. That money should be used to cover moving expenses for companies like Master Lock that decide to bring jobs home.

Second, no American company should be able to avoid paying its fair share of taxes by moving jobs and profits overseas. From now on, every multinational company should have to pay a basic minimum tax. And every penny should go towards lowering taxes for companies that choose to stay here and hire here in America.

Third, if you're an American manufacturer, you should get a bigger tax cut. If you're a high-tech manufacturer, we should double the tax deduction you get for making your products here. And if you want to relocate in a community that was hit hard when a factory left town, you should get help financing a new plant, equipment, or training for new workers.

So my message is simple. It is time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America. Send me these tax reforms, and I will sign them right away.

We're also making it easier for American businesses to sell products all over the world. Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over five years. With the bipartisan trade agreements we signed into law, we're on track to meet that goal ahead of schedule. And soon, there will be millions of new customers for American goods in Panama, Colombia, and South Korea. Soon, there will be new cars on the streets of Seoul imported from Detroit, and Toledo, and Chicago.

I will go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products. And I will not stand by when our competitors don't play by the rules. We've brought trade cases against China at nearly twice the rate as the last administration –- and it's made a difference. Over a thousand Americans are working today because we stopped a surge in Chinese tires. But we need to do more. It's not right when another country lets our movies, music, and software be pirated. It's not fair when foreign manufacturers have a leg up on ours only because they're heavily subsidized.

Tonight, I'm announcing the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will be charged with investigating unfair trading practices in countries like China. There will be more inspections to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders. And this Congress should make sure that no foreign company has an advantage over American manufacturing when it comes to accessing financing or new markets like Russia. Our workers are the most productive on Earth, and if the playing field is level, I promise you -– America will always win.

I also hear from many business leaders who want to hire in the United States but can't find workers with the right skills. Growing industries in science and technology have twice as many openings as we have workers who can do the job. Think about that –- openings at a time when millions of Americans are looking for work. It's inexcusable. And we know how to fix it.

Jackie Bray is a single mom from North Carolina who was laid off from her job as a mechanic. Then Siemens opened a gas turbine factory in Charlotte, and formed a partnership with Central Piedmont Community College. The company helped the college design courses in laser and robotics training. It paid Jackie's tuition, then hired her to help operate their plant.

I want every American looking for work to have the same opportunity as Jackie did. Join me in a national commitment to train 2 million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job. My administration has already lined up more companies that want to help. Model partnerships between businesses like Siemens and community colleges in places like Charlotte, and Orlando, and  Louisville are up and running. Now you need to give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers -– places that teach people skills that businesses are looking for right now, from data management to high-tech manufacturing.

And I want to cut through the maze of confusing training programs, so that from now on, people like Jackie have one program, one website, and one place to go for all the information and help that they need. It is time to turn our unemployment system into a reemployment system that puts people to work.

These reforms will help people get jobs that are open today. But to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, our commitment to skills and education has to start earlier.

For less than 1 percent of what our nation spends on education each year, we've convinced nearly every state in the country to raise their standards for teaching and learning -- the first time that's happened in a generation.

But challenges remain. And we know how to solve them.

At a time when other countries are doubling down on education, tight budgets have forced states to lay off thousands of teachers. We know a good teacher can increase the lifetime income of a classroom by over $250,000. A great teacher can offer an escape from poverty to the child who dreams beyond his circumstance. Every person in this chamber can point to a teacher who changed the trajectory of their lives. Most teachers work tirelessly, with modest pay, sometimes digging into their own pocket for school supplies -- just to make a difference.

Teachers matter. So instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo, let's offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones. And in return, grant schools flexibility: to teach with creativity and passion; to stop teaching to the test; and to replace teachers who just aren't helping kids learn. That's a bargain worth making.

We also know that when students don't walk away from their education, more of them walk the stage to get their diploma. When students are not allowed to drop out, they do better. So tonight, I am proposing that every state -- every state -- requires that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18.

When kids do graduate, the most daunting challenge can be the cost of college. At a time when Americans owe more in tuition debt than credit card debt, this Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July.

Extend the tuition tax credit we started that saves millions of middle-class families thousands of dollars, and give more young people the chance to earn their way through college by doubling the number of work-study jobs in the next five years.

Of course, it's not enough for us to increase student aid. We can't just keep subsidizing skyrocketing tuition; we'll run out of money. States also need to do their part, by making higher education a higher priority in their budgets. And colleges and universities have to do their part by working to keep costs down.

Recently, I spoke with a group of college presidents who've done just that. Some schools redesign courses to help students finish more quickly. Some use better technology. The point is, it's possible. So let me put colleges and universities on notice: If you can't stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. Higher education can't be a luxury -– it is an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.

Let's also remember that hundreds of thousands of talented, hardworking students in this country face another challenge: the fact that they aren't yet American citizens. Many were brought here as small children, are American through and through, yet they live every day with the threat of deportation. Others came more recently, to study business and science and engineering, but as soon as they get their degree, we send them home to invent new products and create new jobs somewhere else.

That doesn't make sense.

I believe as strongly as ever that we should take on illegal immigration. That's why my administration has put more boots on the border than ever before. That's why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office. The opponents of action are out of excuses. We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now.

But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let's at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away.

You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. That means women should earn equal pay for equal work. It means we should support everyone who's willing to work, and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.

After all, innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let's pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow. Expand tax relief to small businesses that are raising wages and creating good jobs. Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year.

Innovation also demands basic research. Today, the discoveries taking place in our federally financed labs and universities could lead to new treatments that kill cancer cells but leave healthy ones untouched. New lightweight vests for cops and soldiers that can stop any bullet. Don't gut these investments in our budget. Don't let other countries win the race for the future. Support the same kind of research and innovation that led to the computer chip and the Internet; to new American jobs and new American industries.

And nowhere is the promise of innovation greater than in American-made energy. Over the last three years, we've opened millions of new acres for oil and gas exploration, and tonight, I'm directing my administration to open more than 75 percent of our potential offshore oil and gas resources. Right now -- right now -- American oil production is the highest that it's been in eight years. That's right -- eight years. Not only that -- last year, we relied less on foreign oil than in any of the past 16 years.

But with only 2 percent of the world's oil reserves, oil isn't enough. This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy. A strategy that's cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs.

We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years. And my administration will take every possible action to safely develop this energy. Experts believe this will support more than 600,000 jobs by the end of the decade. And I'm requiring all companies that drill for gas on public lands to disclose the chemicals they use. Because America will develop this resource without putting the health and safety of our citizens at risk.

The development of natural gas will create jobs and power trucks and factories that are cleaner and cheaper, proving that we don't have to choose between our environment and our economy. And by the way, it was public research dollars, over the course of 30 years, that helped develop the technologies to extract all this natural gas out of shale rock –- reminding us that government support is critical in helping businesses get new energy ideas off the ground.

Now, what's true for natural gas is just as true for clean energy. In three years, our partnership with the private sector has already positioned America to be the world's leading manufacturer of high-tech batteries. Because of federal investments, renewable energy use has nearly doubled, and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.

When Bryan Ritterby was laid off from his job making furniture, he said he worried that at 55, no one would give him a second chance. But he found work at Energetx, a wind turbine manufacturer in Michigan. Before the recession, the factory only made luxury yachts. Today, it's hiring workers like Bryan, who said, "I'm proud to be working in the industry of the future."

Our experience with shale gas, our experience with natural gas, shows us that the payoffs on these public investments don't always come right away. Some technologies don't pan out; some companies fail. But I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy. I will not walk away from workers like Bryan. I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here.

We've subsidized oil companies for a century. That's long enough. It's time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that rarely has been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that never has been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits. Create these jobs.

We can also spur energy innovation with new incentives. The differences in this chamber may be too deep right now to pass a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. But there's no reason why Congress shouldn't at least set a clean energy standard that creates a market for innovation. So far, you haven't acted. Well, tonight, I will. I'm directing my administration to allow the development of clean energy on enough public land to power 3 million homes. And I'm proud to announce that the Department of Defense, working with us, the world's largest consumer of energy, will make one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history -– with the Navy purchasing enough capacity to power a quarter of a million homes a year.

Of course, the easiest way to save money is to waste less energy. So here's a proposal: Help manufacturers eliminate energy waste in their factories and give businesses incentives to upgrade their buildings. Their energy bills will be $100 billion lower over the next decade, and America will have less pollution, more manufacturing, more jobs for construction workers who need them. Send me a bill that creates these jobs.

Building this new energy future should be just one part of a broader agenda to repair America's infrastructure. So much of America needs to be rebuilt. We've got crumbling roads and bridges; a power grid that wastes too much energy; an incomplete high-speed broadband network that prevents a small business owner in rural America from selling her products all over the world.

During the Great Depression, America built the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge. After World War II, we connected our states with a system of highways. Democratic and Republican administrations invested in great projects that benefited everybody, from the workers who built them to the businesses that still use them today.

In the next few weeks, I will sign an executive order clearing away the red tape that slows down too many construction projects. But you need to fund these projects. Take the money we're no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home.

There's never been a better time to build, especially since the construction industry was one of the hardest hit when the housing bubble burst. Of course, construction workers weren't the only ones who were hurt. So were millions of innocent Americans who've seen their home values decline. And while government can't fix the problem on its own, responsible homeowners shouldn't have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief.

And that's why I'm sending this Congress a plan that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low rates. No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks. A small fee on the largest financial institutions will ensure that it won't add to the deficit and will give those banks that were rescued by taxpayers a chance to repay a deficit of trust.

Let's never forget: Millions of Americans who work hard and play by the rules every day deserve a government and a financial system that do the same. It's time to apply the same rules from top to bottom. No bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts. An America built to last insists on responsibility from everybody.

We've all paid the price for lenders who sold mortgages to people who couldn't afford them, and buyers who knew they couldn't afford them. That's why we need smart regulations to prevent irresponsible behavior. Rules to prevent financial fraud or toxic dumping or faulty medical devices -- these don't destroy the free market. They make the free market work better.

There's no question that some regulations are outdated, unnecessary, or too costly. In fact, I've approved fewer regulations in the first three years of my presidency than my Republican predecessor did in his. I've ordered every federal agency to eliminate rules that don't make sense. We've already announced over 500 reforms, and just a fraction of them will save business and citizens more than $10 billion over the next five years. We got rid of one rule from 40 years ago that could have forced some dairy farmers to spend $10,000 a year proving that they could contain a spill -- because milk was somehow classified as an oil. With a rule like that, I guess it was worth crying over spilled milk. (Laughter and applause.)

Now, I'm confident a farmer can contain a milk spill without a federal agency looking over his shoulder. Absolutely. But I will not back down from making sure an oil company can contain the kind of oil spill we saw in the Gulf two years ago. I will not back down from protecting our kids from mercury poisoning, or making sure that our food is safe and our water is clean. I will not go back to the days when health insurance companies had unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny your coverage, or charge women differently than men.

And I will not go back to the days when Wall Street was allowed to play by its own set of rules. The new rules we passed restore what should be any financial system's core purpose: Getting funding to entrepreneurs with the best ideas, and getting loans to responsible families who want to buy a home, or start a business, or send their kids to college.

So if you are a big bank or financial institution, you're no longer allowed to make risky bets with your customers' deposits. You're required to write out a "living will" that details exactly how you'll pay the bills if you fail –- because the rest of us are not bailing you out ever again. And if you're a mortgage lender or a payday lender or a credit card company, the days of signing people up for products they can't afford with confusing forms and deceptive practices -- those days are over. Today, American consumers finally have a watchdog in Richard Cordray with one job: To look out for them.

We'll also establish a Financial Crimes Unit of highly trained investigators to crack down on large-scale fraud and protect people's investments. Some financial firms violate major anti-fraud laws because there's no real penalty for being a repeat offender. That's bad for consumers, and it's bad for the vast majority of bankers and financial service professionals who do the right thing. So pass legislation that makes the penalties for fraud count.

And tonight, I'm asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorney general to expand our investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis. This new unit will hold accountable those who broke the law, speed assistance to homeowners, and help turn the page on an era of recklessness that hurt so many Americans.

Now, a return to the American values of fair play and shared responsibility will help protect our people and our economy. But it should also guide us as we look to pay down our debt and invest in our future.

Right now, our most immediate priority is stopping a tax hike on 160 million working Americans while the recovery is still fragile. People cannot afford losing $40 out of each paycheck this year. There are plenty of ways to get this done. So let's agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama. Pass the payroll tax cut without delay. Let's get it done.

When it comes to the deficit, we've already agreed to more than $2 trillion in cuts and savings. But we need to do more, and that means making choices. Right now, we're poised to spend nearly $1 trillion more on what was supposed to be a temporary tax break for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. Right now, because of loopholes and shelters in the tax code, a quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households. Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.

Do we want to keep these tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans? Or do we want to keep our investments in everything else –- like education and medical research; a strong military and care for our veterans? Because if we're serious about paying down our debt, we can't do both.

The American people know what the right choice is. So do I. As I told the Speaker this summer, I'm prepared to make more reforms that rein in the long-term costs of Medicare and Medicaid, and strengthen Social Security, so long as those programs remain a guarantee of security for seniors.

But in return, we need to change our tax code so that people like me, and an awful lot of members of Congress, pay our fair share of taxes.

Tax reform should follow the Buffett Rule. If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes. And my Republican friend Tom Coburn is right: Washington should stop subsidizing millionaires. In fact, if you're earning a million dollars a year, you shouldn't get special tax subsidies or deductions. On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn't go up. You're the ones struggling with rising costs and stagnant wages. You're the ones who need relief.

Now, you can call this class warfare all you want. But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.

We don't begrudge financial success in this country. We admire it. When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it's not because they envy the rich. It's because they understand that when I get a tax break I don't need and the country can't afford, it either adds to the deficit, or somebody else has to make up the difference -- like a senior on a fixed income, or a student trying to get through school, or a family trying to make ends meet. That's not right. Americans know that's not right. They know that this generation's success is only possible because past generations felt a responsibility to each other, and to the future of their country, and they know our way of life will only endure if we feel that same sense of shared responsibility. That's how we'll reduce our deficit. That's an America built to last.

Now, I recognize that people watching tonight have differing views about taxes and debt, energy and health care. But no matter what party they belong to, I bet most Americans are thinking the same thing right about now: Nothing will get done in Washington this year, or next year, or maybe even the year after that, because Washington is broken.

Can you blame them for feeling a little cynical?

The greatest blow to our confidence in our economy last year didn't come from events beyond our control. It came from a debate in Washington over whether the United States would pay its bills or not. Who benefited from that fiasco?

I've talked tonight about the deficit of trust between Main Street and Wall Street. But the divide between this city and the rest of the country is at least as bad -- and it seems to get worse every year.

Some of this has to do with the corrosive influence of money in politics. So together, let's take some steps to fix that. Send me a bill that bans insider trading by members of Congress; I will sign it tomorrow. Let's limit any elected official from owning stocks in industries they impact. Let's make sure people who bundle campaign contributions for Congress can't lobby Congress, and vice versa -- an idea that has bipartisan support, at least outside of Washington.

Some of what's broken has to do with the way Congress does its business these days. A simple majority is no longer enough to get anything -– even routine business –- passed through the Senate. Neither party has been blameless in these tactics. Now both parties should put an end to it. For starters, I ask the Senate to pass a simple rule that all judicial and public service nominations receive a simple up or down vote within 90 days.

The executive branch also needs to change. Too often, it's inefficient, outdated and remote. That's why I've asked this Congress to grant me the authority to consolidate the federal bureaucracy, so that our government is leaner, quicker, and more responsive to the needs of the American people.

Finally, none of this can happen unless we also lower the temperature in this town. We need to end the notion that the two parties must be locked in a perpetual campaign of mutual destruction; that politics is about clinging to rigid ideologies instead of building consensus around common-sense ideas.

I'm a Democrat. But I believe what Republican Abraham Lincoln believed: That government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more. That's why my education reform offers more competition, and more control for schools and states. That's why we're getting rid of regulations that don't work. That's why our health care law relies on a reformed private market, not a government program.

On the other hand, even my Republican friends who complain the most about government spending have supported federally financed roads, and clean energy projects, and federal offices for the folks back home.

The point is, we should all want a smarter, more effective government. And while we may not be able to bridge our biggest philosophical differences this year, we can make real progress. With or without this Congress, I will keep taking actions that help the economy grow. But I can do a whole lot more with your help. Because when we act together, there's nothing the United States of America can't achieve. That's the lesson we've learned from our actions abroad over the last few years.

Ending the Iraq war has allowed us to strike decisive blows against our enemies. From Pakistan to Yemen, the al Qaeda operatives who remain are scrambling, knowing that they can't escape the reach of the United States of America.

From this position of strength, we've begun to wind down the war in Afghanistan. Ten thousand of our troops have come home. Twenty-three thousand more will leave by the end of this summer. This transition to Afghan lead will continue, and we will build an enduring partnership with Afghanistan, so that it is never again a source of attacks against America.

As the tide of war recedes, a wave of change has washed across the Middle East and North Africa, from Tunis to Cairo; from Sana'a to Tripoli. A year ago, Qaddafi was one of the world's longest-serving dictators -– a murderer with American blood on his hands. Today, he is gone. And in Syria, I have no doubt that the Assad regime will soon discover that the forces of change cannot be reversed, and that human dignity cannot be denied.

How this incredible transformation will end remains uncertain. But we have a huge stake in the outcome. And while it's ultimately up to the people of the region to decide their fate, we will advocate for those values that have served our own country so well. We will stand against violence and intimidation. We will stand for the rights and dignity of all human beings –- men and women; Christians, Muslims and Jews. We will support policies that lead to strong and stable democracies and open markets, because tyranny is no match for liberty.

And we will safeguard America's own security against those who threaten our citizens, our friends, and our interests. Look at Iran. Through the power of our diplomacy, a world that was once divided about how to deal with Iran's nuclear program now stands as one. The regime is more isolated than ever before; its leaders are faced with crippling sanctions, and as long as they shirk their responsibilities, this pressure will not relent.

Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal.

But a peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible, and far better, and if Iran changes course and meets its obligations, it can rejoin the community of nations.

The renewal of American leadership can be felt across the globe. Our oldest alliances in Europe and Asia are stronger than ever. Our ties to the Americas are deeper. Our ironclad commitment -- and I mean ironclad -- to Israel's security has meant the closest military cooperation between our two countries in history.

We've made it clear that America is a Pacific power, and a new beginning in Burma has lit a new hope. From the coalitions we've built to secure nuclear materials, to the missions we've led against hunger and disease; from the blows we've dealt to our enemies, to the enduring power of our moral example, America is back.

Anyone who tells you otherwise, anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has waned, doesn't know what they're talking about.

That's not the message we get from leaders around the world who are eager to work with us. That's not how people feel from Tokyo to Berlin, from Cape Town to Rio, where opinions of America are higher than they've been in years. Yes, the world is changing. No, we can't control every event. But America remains the one indispensable nation in world affairs –- and as long as I'm President, I intend to keep it that way.

That's why, working with our military leaders, I've proposed a new defense strategy that ensures we maintain the finest military in the world, while saving nearly half a trillion dollars in our budget. To stay one step ahead of our adversaries, I've already sent this Congress legislation that will secure our country from the growing dangers of cyber-threats.

Above all, our freedom endures because of the men and women in uniform who defend it. As they come home, we must serve them as well as they've served us. That includes giving them the care and the benefits they have earned –- which is why we've increased annual VA spending every year I've been President. And it means enlisting our veterans in the work of rebuilding our nation.

With the bipartisan support of this Congress, we're providing new tax credits to companies that hire vets. Michelle and Jill Biden have worked with American businesses to secure a pledge of 135,000 jobs for veterans and their families. And tonight, I'm proposing a Veterans Jobs Corps that will help our communities hire veterans as cops and firefighters, so that America is as strong as those who defend her.

Which brings me back to where I began. Those of us who've been sent here to serve can learn a thing or two from the service of our troops. When you put on that uniform, it doesn't matter if you're black or white; Asian, Latino, Native American; conservative, liberal; rich, poor; gay, straight. When you're marching into battle, you look out for the person next to you, or the mission fails. When you're in the thick of the fight, you rise or fall as one unit, serving one nation, leaving no one behind.

One of my proudest possessions is the flag that the SEAL Team took with them on the mission to get bin Laden. On it are each of their names. Some may be Democrats. Some may be Republicans. But that doesn't matter. Just like it didn't matter that day in the Situation Room, when I sat next to Bob Gates -- a man who was George Bush's defense secretary -- and Hillary Clinton -- a woman who ran against me for president.

All that mattered that day was the mission. No one thought about politics. No one thought about themselves. One of the young men involved in the raid later told me that he didn't deserve credit for the mission. It only succeeded, he said, because every single member of that unit did their job -- the pilot who landed the helicopter that spun out of control; the translator who kept others from entering the compound; the troops who separated the women and children from the fight; the SEALs who charged up the stairs. More than that, the mission only succeeded because every member of that unit trusted each other -- because you can't charge up those stairs, into darkness and danger, unless you know that there's somebody behind you, watching your back.

So it is with America. Each time I look at that flag, I'm reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those 50 stars and those 13 stripes. No one built this country on their own. This nation is great because we built it together. This nation is great because we worked as a team. This nation is great because we get each other's backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we are joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, and our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

NCAI initial response to State of the Union – "Free Our Economies" 2012

State of Indian Nations to focus on Election Year and Tribal economies

Washington, DC – The leading organization representing tribal governments and Native Americans has released an initial response to the State of the Union and will outline the State of Indian Nations in a speech this Thursday. In a nationally webcast and radio address, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) will respond to President Obama's State of the Union and chart a path for tribes to play a vital role in building America's 21st century economy. The speech will be delivered by the President of NCAI Jefferson Keel, Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. Republican Congressman Tom Cole (OK) an enrolled member the Chickasaw Nation, will deliver the Congressional response to the State of Indian Nations. (See following.)

"President Obama outlined a clear path for the economic future of America in the State of the Union – we support these efforts as Indian Country is integral to revitalizing the American economy. We call on the Administration and Congress to free our economies and create a more flexible government that honors the ability of Tribal Nations to determine our own future," said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI. "Members of both parties in the House and Senate have shown that issues affecting tribes are nonpartisan. The President has shown outstanding support of tribes. The time to act is now. In our national address we will outline legislation and action the federal government can take right now, to make Indian Country even stronger."

According to the 2010 Census, American Indians and Alaska Natives represent 5.2 Million people in the United States, 1.7% of the U.S. population. There are currently 566 federally recognized tribal nations in the United States and an estimated 10% of the natural resources located within the United States are on tribal lands.

President Obama referenced Native Americans in the State of the Union by highlighting the military service of Natives. Currently over 24,000 active duty American Indians and Alaska Natives serve in the Armed Forces – representing the highest service per capita of any other group. At the State of Indian Nations, President Keel will be introduced by a tribal citizen and an active duty member of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Key government officials including Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and John Barrasso (R-WY) of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, DOI Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk, and White House officials, will attend the live address. The 2012 State of Indian Nations Address will be broadcast live online and on a delayed broadcast to radio stations reaching tribal reservations, Alaska Native villages, and urban areas with large American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Broadcast live from the Newseum in Washington, DC, viewers can watch the Address on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. (EST) on www.livestream.org/ncai or via the Native Voice 1 Radio Network.

About The National Congress of American Indians: Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information visit www.ncai.org.

"Our America": 10th Annual State of Indian Nations Address

Remarks by Jefferson Keel, President

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Newseum, Knight Studios, Washington, DC

Acknowledgements

I want to thank the Native service members and veterans who have joined us today. Many know the story of Indian Country -- the challenges we have faced, and the ones we face today. But very few Americans know the story of the hundreds of thousands of tribal members who have served in the United States military, as far back as the Revolutionary War. As a veteran myself, I want to thank Lt. Colonel Hunting Horse and the 24,000 active duty American Indian and Alaska Native service members serving today to protect the sovereignty of the United States and the tribal nations of North America. Thank you.

Strong Indian Nations

My fellow tribal leaders, tribal citizens and American citizens, members of the National Congress of American Indians, members of the Administration and the 112th Congress of the United States, and those listening or watching today: I am honored to speak to you all, but especially to address representatives of the more than 5 million Native people and the 566 tribal nations of Indian Country.

The State of Indian Nations is strong. Our nations are strong. Our peoples are strong. Like our sovereignty, the strength of our nations, is our inheritance. The State of Indian Nations, as I outline it today, should be defined by what we commit to right now to make the state of Indian Nations even stronger in the years to come.

We all know tribes have faced a difficult history. We are rising from harsh economic conditions to contribute to a more prosperous tomorrow. Tribes have been doing more with less for generations, and I am here today to outline a path to overcome our shared challenges – to lay out specific economic changes and improvements for our tribal nations. Some of these changes require legislative action but many others can come from direct action by the Administration. Ultimately though, it will be the actions of Native people that can change their nations and communities.

Native people are the first Americans. Tribal nations are its first governments – one of three sovereigns recognized in the United States Constitution. And our America is a place where each member of the American family of governments contributes to a prosperous future.

Native Vote in this election year

To achieve that vision, we need leaders who understand that Indian Country matters. Especially in a Presidential election year! We're all aware of the impact an election can have on Indian Country. And, in recent years, many have come to learn that the door swings both ways – Indian Country can have a significant impact on elections – and it can be game changing.

As grandmas on the Navajo nation and young people in Alaska Native villages go to the ballot box this November, they are standing on the shoulders of those who fought hard for that right. As students at Arizona State University and veterans in foreign lands cast their vote, they are reminding America that we matter.

In the 1940s, thousands of Native veterans returned home to a shocking reality: America had accepted them on the battlefield, but had no place for them at the ballot box.

Ira Hayes – a member of the Gila River Indian Community, who raised the flag at Iwo Jima – returned to the homeland he had defended, and was denied the right to vote. Miguel Trujillo from Isleta Pueblo, who enlisted as a Marine in the days following Pearl Harbor, returned home to New Mexico and was denied the right to vote.

These American heroes inspired the fight – all the way to the federal courts – for the right to participate in the 1948 elections. They expressed the power of the Native vote the first time they cast their ballots, and it's been at work ever since.

Stories like these have shown Native people that when it comes to Native Vote, we can and we must think big. Simply put, we will work tirelessly in 2012 to see the highest Native turnout ever.

We know it can be done. For instance, on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana, turnout rates are regularly over 80 percent. A survey of seniors at UCLA showed that Native young people participate at rates higher than any other group of students. This is especially important because almost half a million Native youth will be eligible to vote for the first time in the next four years.

We already know Indian Country impacts elections but we offer even more potential. In 2008, one out of every three Native citizens was not registered to vote – that's more than 1 million people. So it comes down to one simple message – register and vote. We will work tirelessly with Native people from across America to make sure all of Indian Country participates in 2012. The stakes are too high for us to stay home on Election Day.

Native people don't see the world in two and four year election cycles. We're focused on building stronger communities for generations to come. When we step in the ballot box, we want to vote for candidates who will stand with tribal nations to create a strong prosperous future. We are not mobilizing for one party or for one candidate. Indians don't just vote D for Democrat or R for Republican. For us, it's "I" for Indian. We are independent voters and we will continue to vote for the candidate who is strong on our issues, and cares about our priorities.

That's why today, I'm calling on all Presidential candidates to make sure Indian Country is at the table during the campaign and throughout your Administration. These specific actions should form the foundation of your Native policy platform:

First, we call on the President to send a Special Message to Congress on the importance of the Nation-to-Nation Relationship. In 1970, President Nixon sent a historic message to Congress on tribal self-determination. That message launched the self-determination era – the very framework that allowed tribes to prove our capacity as governments. All Presidents should do the same.

Second, we call on the President to fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We specifically call for a review of all existing federal law to ensure they are in alignment with the Declaration.

Third, we call for an Annual Nation-to-Nation Summit and ongoing high-level meetings. This would institutionalize the current Tribal Nations Summit, a meaningful commitment to our nation-to-nation relationship that must be upheld by all future Presidents. We also call on the President to convene regular meetings on specific issues between tribal leaders and cabinet secretaries.

Fourth, elevate Native people in the federal government. It is past time for qualified Native people to be seated on the federal bench. The appointment of a Senior Advisor on Native American Affairs has advanced policymaking at the White House and we applaud President Obama for his leadership. With the importance of the Indian budget in the coming decade, we urge the creation of an office for Native American programs at Office of Management Budget.

And finally, we call upon all candidates to actively engage Indian Country in your campaign. We invite each candidate to visit Indian Country to outline your policy positions. We also urge the campaigns to make sure tribal nations are part of the discussion at the Presidential debates.

Opportunities for Congressional Action

Between now and the election, we have a lot of work to do! For all of the partisan challenges of the past year, the Congress has found common ground on Indian policy. Under the bipartisan leadership of Senators Akaka and Barrasso, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has worked tirelessly across party lines to develop legislation that promises to transform Indian Country. And in the House, Republicans like Chairman Don Young and Democrats like Dale Kildee have worked hard to educate their colleagues about the benefits tribal governments offer our nation.

There are some important things the Congress can do right now that can grow Indian economies and create jobs. Without spending a dime, the Congress can fix the problems created by the Carcieri Supreme Court decision and offer certainty for land-into-trust transactions that are critical to Indian Country's economic future.

The Department of the Interior is already acting to streamline lease approvals for renewable energy development, and we urge the Congress to pass the HEARTH Act to expand leasing reform and to pass an Indian energy self-determination law.

Congress can also act on public safety legislation that will attract businesses to our communities. We urge passage of amendments to the Stafford Act that are supported by FEMA and would remove burdens from states and tribes in times of critical emergencies when lives are on the line.

Native women are the protectors of our culture, our families, and our future. We call on the Senate to pass the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization and the SAVE Native Women Act— both of which would take critical steps to address the horrific rates of violence being perpetrated against our women.

The Native CLASS Act offers the chance to provide the kind of education our young people need to succeed today and build the economies Indian Country needs for tomorrow. Our young people must not be left behind anymore.

Congress must stand with us now to get these bills passed, but long term success depends on America keeping her promises. That's why NCAI, along with our partners in Indian Country are making available to you today our plan for the Indian budget.

This document outlines our vision for investing in the future of our America, and stabilizing the Indian budget. It will create reliable, safe domestic energy; it will build a 21st century education system; it will modernize our infrastructure; and, it will fund implementation of critical legislation like the Tribal Law & Order Act and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Just as our plan holds hope for the future, the Budget Control Act poses great risks. The Act requires Congress to cap discretionary spending for the next 10 years. Much of the funding that fulfills the federal trust responsibility is categorized -- wrongly, in our view -- as domestic discretionary spending.

The trust responsibility is not a discretionary choice. It is not a line item. It is a solemn agreement that has been sustained over hundreds of years. Unless Congress acts to hold tribal programs harmless, then starting in 2013 we are facing ten to fifteen percent cuts across the board for the next decade -- cuts that will threaten essential services and affect millions of Native citizens throughout vast regions of rural America.

We are well aware of the budget challenges our nation faces. We live in Indian Country – we know all about doing more with less. We urge Congress to stand up for the relatively small piece of the federal budget that belongs to tribal nations and our citizens.

Governmental flexibility

Protecting the Indian budget is the first step but long-term success depends on tribal nations having the same opportunities to protect and preserve our communities that are available to state and local governments. We exercise jurisdiction over lands that would make us the fourth largest state. We run dozens of social programs previously administered by federal agencies or states. And, we protect reservation environments in the manner that states regulate off reservation lands.

Tribal governments have proven our capacity to grow our economies, educate our people, and manage our resources. We need the federal government to put decision-making power back in the hands of the people who live in Indian Country -- the people who know best because these are our homelands, these are our people.

The old way of doing things causes missed opportunities every day. The Swinomish Tribe, in Washington state, saw this first hand. The tribe had worked out a deal with Wal-Mart for a big new store on the reservation. This was a great deal -- a million dollars a year in lease revenue for the Tribe, and new jobs for tribal members and people throughout the community.

As with every lease on Indian lands, the federal government needed to approve it. The process took more than a year and by the time it was approved economic conditions had changed and Wal-Mart had made other plans. A million dollars a year for Swinomish, gone. All those jobs, gone. And this is not an isolated story. Many tribal leaders can tell you stories about business opportunities lost because of red tape.

This is why our federal partners have already proposed crucial lease reforms to free our economies. Tribal nations have proven our capacity. We don't need the government involved in all our business decisions, we need flexibility. And by creating it, we will remove the barriers that cost us jobs and opportunity. This is a goal I think we can all agree on, across the political spectrum, and it is something we can achieve with a change in policy, not an increase in spending.

That is the kind of solution Washington is crying out for and we in Indian Country are eager to answer the call.

Moment of opportunity

Ensuring governmental flexibility will yield more efficient programs and spending, because decisions will be made by those in the best position to respond to community needs. It will also relieve administrative burdens at the federal level.

This message comes directly from tribal leaders. We went to them with one simple question: What can we do with what we have already – without asking for more resources – that will provide greater opportunity for Indians and create more impact for federal programs? Over and over, the answer came back: We need freedom at the local level to best use our limited resources. We know what's best because we live in Indian Country. We know where the needs are, and we know what works for our people. No one understands Indian life better than the Indian nations themselves. Give us flexibility.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota is delivering broadband services across their reservation because of governmental flexibility. The FCC's decision to designate Standing Rock Telecom as an eligible telecommunications carrier means they are the first fully tribally owned and operated broadband company that can receive universal service funds.

This designation has empowered Standing Rock to own and operate essential telecommunications infrastructure. This offers avenues for economic development, opportunities to preserve tribal languages and culture, and infrastructure for distance learning programs. That, is the kind of flexibility we need in Indian Country, when only one in ten Native people have access to broadband today.

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada opened a 65,000 square foot health facility in 2007 that showed the promise of tax exempt bond financing. Almost $16 million in bonds funded a full service clinic that serves 100,000 people each year. This project created permanent jobs and built the infrastructure for quality health services.

Tribes were denied full access to this source of financing until the Recovery Act created a limited bond offering. Based on that experience, the Treasury released a report in December recommending they have the same access to bond financing available to our governmental peers. This will bring huge economic benefits to tribes and surrounding regional economies.

Education is another example where flexibility can prepare our children for the global market place. The Cherokee Nation's Language Immersion School formed an innovative partnership with Apple Computers to integrate technology and the Cherokee language. They developed Cherokee language software for use on Macintosh computers, iPhones, iPods, and iPads. Students even chat online – in Cherokee – with students from the Eastern Band of Cherokee in North Carolina. This is a powerful example of tribal innovation and initiative—the type of innovation that vesting tribes with greater authority over our own programs unleashes.

Whether in economic development or education, healthcare or energy, the key to getting it right is the freedom to identify and tear down barriers to our success.

A new era for the trust relationship

Tribal leaders carry with us a dream. It's a dream passed down from our parents and grandparents. It doesn't look forward to 2012 or 2016, it looks to the seventh generation. We see a future where the trust relationship actually works. Works for tribal nations, and works for our federal partners.

Our ancestors knew that tribes could govern our nations like no one else. Today, we have proven it. Residents of rural Oklahoma are driving to our health facilities, because they offer the best services around. States and counties are turning to our traditional knowledge to best manage natural resources. Citizens of those states are coming to tribes for job opportunities and a good education at tribal colleges. And companies are coming to us to set up businesses on the reservation and bring American jobs home.

When we have the tools and freedom we need, we are creating businesses, delivering services, and leading the way. It's time to build our trust on that reality.

That trust also requires consultation, legally enforceable consultation. Without the power of legislation and accountability, "free, prior, and informed consent," are just some nice words on a page. As President Obama himself said, when he announced his support for the UN Declaration – "What matters far more than words…are actions to match those words." We call for action to make consultation count.

Enforceable consultation means we must talk about another idea – tribal consent. There would be a public outcry if the federal government tried to impose policy on a state without its consent. But the concerns of tribal nations are routinely overlooked, even when more than a dozen tribes are larger than some northeastern states. This must not stand.

Our America

Our America is a place where all candidates know that we matter, and America sees it at the ballot box. It's a place where each and every President honors our unique nation-to-nation relationship, where Indian Country is always at the table – not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's the smart thing to do. Our America is home to a Congress that works across party lines to free our economies. Our America is a place where governments keep their promises.

Our America is where tribal nations create economic opportunities, where people come to us for the best jobs. It's a place where tribes are on the forefront of new technology – high-tech manufacturing, telemedicine, clean energy. Our America is where Indigenous peoples reach across borders and bring home economic opportunity for all Americans.

As the oldest governments in America, tribal nations understand what is required to overcome stark economic conditions. Perhaps more than any other time in history, our nations must stand together, empowered to make profound and permanent improvements in the lives of our people. Our nations are committed to the success of the United States of America. Let us realize that future together so that our nations thrive, today and forever.

From the White House blog –

Blueprint for an America Built to Last and Indian Country

Posted by Kimberly Teehee on January 25, 2012 – In yesterday's State of the Union address, the President laid out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values. The President has been clear that we need to do more to create jobs and help economic growth. But under his leadership and thanks to action taken by the President, the economy is growing again. The economy has added a total of nearly 3.2 million private sector jobs over the last 22 months.

Last night, the President outlined a series of ideas to build an economy that works for everyone, one that will bring about a new era of American manufacturing, and promote homegrown and alternative energy sources. The President's Blueprint for an America Built to Last includes the following initiatives that will benefit Indian Country:

Prevent tax increases for Native American families by extending the payroll tax cut: The President challenged Congress to strengthen the economic recovery by extending the payroll tax cut for the rest of the year so that taxes don't go up on American workers. About 1.5 million Native American workers – throughout urban, rural, reservation and village communities – will benefit from the extension and expansion of the payroll tax cut, giving them and their families more money to keep our local economies strong at this critical time. Today, one of the most important ways we can continue to support economic growth in Indian Country is through the extension of the payroll tax cut. Forge new partnerships between community colleges – including tribal colleges – and businesses to train and place 2 million skilled workers: Many industries have difficulty filling jobs requiring specific technical skills, even with many Americans still looking for work. In coming years, America will need to fill millions of mid- and high-level skilled positions in industries from healthcare to advanced manufacturing, clean energy to information technology. The President proposed a new initiative to train and place two million Americans in good jobs through partnerships between businesses and community colleges that give workers the skills employers explicitly need. The program is modeled on efforts by employers and community colleges from Charlotte and Chicago to Orlando and Louisville. To address future workforce needs, the President will support partnerships between high schools and industry to create more career academies, which combine instruction in academic subjects and industry skills. Help start-ups and small businesses in Indian Country succeed and create jobs by reforming regulations and expanding tax relief: Start-ups and small businesses create most of the new net jobs in this country. The President is proposing to build on measures he has already taken to enact 17 small business tax cuts through additional tax relief to start-ups and small businesses that are creating jobs and increasing wages and by calling for further measures to expand access to capital for small businesses by simplifying and streamlining regulations. These initiatives build on the progress that's already underway. In Indian Country, we have made significant strides over the past three years and continue to strengthen the government-to-government relationship with tribal governments and improve the quality of life in Indian Country. Last month, for the third year, President Obama hosted the White House Tribal Nations Conference in Washington, DC, and discussed the work he's done to improve the relationship between tribal nations and the federal government, and to achieve a brighter future for tribal nations. It's a set of changes that is starting to take effect. As he stated during his remarks at the Conference last month:

"It's the Native American-owned small business that's opening its doors, or a worker helping a school renovate. It's new roads and houses. It's wind turbines going up on tribal lands, and crime going down in tribal communities."

And in conjunction with the Tribal Nations Conference last, the President signed an Executive Order that establishes an Initiative to expand educational opportunities and improve educational outcomes for all American Indian and Alaska Native students, including opportunities to learn their Native languages, cultures, and histories, and to receive a complete and competitive education that prepares them for college and career, and for productive and satisfying lives.

But the President understands that our work is far from done. Building strong, prosperous Native American economies is a priority for this Administration, and President Obama believes that tribal leaders must be part of the solution and have a seat at the table. Working together, the President intends to keep moving forward to achieve a brighter future for tribal nations.

As President Obama said last night, "Those of us who've been sent here to serve can learn a thing or two from the service of our troops. When you put on that uniform, it doesn't matter if you're black or white; Asian, Latino, Native American; conservative, liberal; rich, poor; gay, straight. When you're marching into battle, you look out for the person next to you, or the mission fails. When you're in the thick of the fight, you rise or fall as one unit, serving one nation, leaving no one behind."

For more information about this Administration's accomplishments in Indian Country, our recently released report, "Achieving a Brighter Future for Tribal Nations," provides a summary of some of the many actions the Obama Administration has taken to address the concerns of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

*****

Kimberly Teehee is the Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs, Domestic Policy Council.

President echoes Thune's call for increased access to capital in State of the Union address

Washington, DC – Senator John Thune sent a follow up letter to the Senate Banking Committee urging consideration of his Access to Capital for Job Creators Act (H.R. 2940/S.1831), following President Obama's State of the Union address in which he called for such legislation to be passed and sent to his desk.

"I was pleased to hear President Obama echo the call during the State of the Union address that many of us have made for increased access to capital for small businesses," said Thune. "In November, I introduced a bill that would remove an unnecessary Securities and Exchange Commission barrier that is currently preventing small businesses from accessing much-needed capital. Despite passing the House of Representatives by a strong bipartisan vote of 413-11, this job-creating legislation has been stalled in the Senate. I hope the Senate Majority will listen to the president's call for access to capital legislation and swiftly pass my common-sense bill."

Thune reaction to State of the Union

Washington, DC – Here are excerpts from Senator John Thune's reaction to the State of the Union.

"My hope would be that even though this is an election year that the president will work with us, and I stand ready as a Republican in the senate to work with him on policies that will help grow the economy, help us create jobs, and it starts by reforming our tax code. That's something that the American people want to see happen. We need a simple, clear, fair tax code that gets rid of the loop holes, lowers rates on our small businesses and our job creators, and makes us more competitive with the people we compete with around the world.

"We need regulatory reform that will get rid of the massive amounts of regulations that are making it more costly, more difficult, more expensive to create jobs in this country.

"And we need an energy security plan that will increase our commitment to domestic energy production and so that we don't continue to rely on foreign sources of energy and obviously the Keystone Pipeline was a great project. Lots of shovel ready jobs, improves our energy independence, helps bring in additional revenues for state and local governments, yet it was vetoed by the president.

"If the president is serious about creating jobs, he needs to be willing to work with us even though it is an election year to achieve these objectives. As I said, I look forward to working with him, and I hope that in the days ahead that the campaign rhetoric that we heard in the speech will actually translate into a record of accomplishment for the American people that's something we haven't seen before, certainly something that I hope we see in the future."

Rep. Kristi Noem response to State of the Union Address

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD) offered a mixed reaction to the President's State of the Union address to the nation.

"Once again tonight, the President relied on higher taxes, increased spending and more government to tackle our nation's economic woes rather than giving entrepreneurs and businesses the regulatory certainty they need along with the freedom they desire. We don't need higher taxes we need less subsidy," Noem added.

"The President talked about developing an all-of-the-above energy policy, but unfortunately I fear this is just a talking point since just days ago he vetoed the Keystone XL pipeline project that would have created jobs and increased access to safe North American energy," said Noem.

"There was once again much talk about what small businesses need to succeed, but the simple fact is that there are currently more than 4,000 new regulations in the pipeline, 219 of which will have a major impact on the economy. If President Obama was serious about keeping his pledge to do away with burdensome regulations, then he should have urged Senate Democrats to pass the nearly 30 bipartisan jobs bills – many of which rein in costly and excessive government regulations - sitting on their doorstep," said Noem.

"Additionally, it is unfortunate that the President devoted so little time to the issue of cutting spending and tackling our debt and deficit. Ignoring the issue won't make it go away –even if you're the President," said Noem.

"Despite our differences, I still believe there are some areas where we can work together. The President continues to show good faith to reform education by giving more control to local schools and States. Additionally, I agree with the President's desire go after China and others when they aren't playing by the fair trade rules," said Noem

"I am holding out hope that we can work together on some key issues this year because that is what the American people elected us to do," concluded Noem.

Thune begins serving as Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference

Washington, DC – Senator John Thune issued the following statement upon officially assuming the Chairmanship of the Senate Republican Conference:

"I look forward to working with my colleagues to aggressively communicate Senate Republicans' positive vision for putting Americans back to work and growing our economy. Families across South Dakota and America continue to face great challenges as our economy struggles to climb back.

"I hope President Obama will put partisan politics aside and work with Republicans to make it easier for American businesses to create jobs and find common solutions in the areas of fundamental tax reform, regulatory reform, and energy security."

Emergency preparedness message –

SWO winter storm closings policy

Note: Updated according to Tribal Executive memo

SWO Tribal members are asked to please contact Tribal Law Enforcement at 698-7661 in the event of an emergency, and to be as specific as possible concerning the nature of the problem.

Tribal officials ask that anyone away from home during a storm, if you find shelter, please notify Tribal Law Enforcement that you are safe. That could prevent rescue workers from endangering themselves out looking for you.

The public is asked to plan ahead when the forecast calls for a possible winter storm. This includes checking to make sure there is ample heating fuel, food, and drinking water. For those with serious medical conditions, be certain there is ample medication on hand.

In some cases, dialysis patients and others with acute health problems should contact Sisseton IHS about staying in a "swing bed" or with family or friends close to the health care center. Telephone number is 698-7606.

Tribal office business hours

on winter storm days

Closing of Tiospa Zina Tribal School and Sisseton Public Schools will be taken into consideration when making a final decision to close Tribal offices, but they are no longer the determining factor.

The decision to close Tribal offices due to weather will remain at the discretion of the Tribal Executives.

In the event of a closing, the announcement will be made on FM radio stations KBWS 102.9, KIXX 96.1, KXSW 89.9, and tv stations KELO and KSFY.

Above all, employees are asked to please use their best judgment when traveling in winter weather and avoid traveling during winter storms except in emergencies. (And then, please let others in your family, or friends, and Tribal Law Enforcement, know your plans.)

If possible, everyone is asked to please check on your elderly family members and friends during such times.

SWO Head Start closings policy

(Here is the school closing policy as stated in the Head Start parent handbook.)

1. Facility -The SWO Head Start will close if the facility becomes unsafe for the children. This includes a water break, furnace breakdown, or any health hazard declared by The Director of Head Start, Dept. of Health or by the SWO.

2. Weather-The Head Start and Early Head Start will close if the public or Tribal schools remain closed due to the weather. Notices will be given out over SWO Tribal Radio Station KXSW, B103 KBWS radio station, KELO and KABY TV stations.

3. Head Start-The SWO Head start will not run buses if the temperature is -20 degrees or colder. Parents must transport and pick up their children if no buses run. Children will be considered excused for that day.

Editorials –

Sota guest editorial –

President Obama speaks to First Americans leaders

POTUS (the President) Speaks

(Editor's note: The first part of this guest editorial is taken from a report by White House pool reporter Jackie Calmes, covering a visit by Native American leaders from across the country to the nation's capitol.)

Washington, DC – Jan. 27, 2012 – The President spoke for five minutes to about 75 men and women seated at seven round tables, then the reporter pool had to leave when he opened the floor for questions by the guests.

He said, "Native Americans have to be full partners in our economy. Your children and your grandchildren have to have an equal shot at the American dream."

For the past three years his administration has brought the leadership group to Washington to discuss issues, and he has named Native Americans to his administration.

The President referred to Native Americans as "the first Americans."

He continued to echo the themes of his State of the Union address, underscoring their applicability to Native Americans, especially since the populations have unemployment rates higher than the national average.

President Obama said he wanted this time to be "a turning point" to ensure the Native American population is "not simply a ward but is able to marshal the resources" to prosper.

"We want to stop repeating the mistakes of the past."

He cited extensions of Indian health program, an executive order on education, expansion of land in trust. "We've made significant progress but we've got a lot more to do." "If you stick with me, I promise you I'm going to be sticking with you."

Transcript of President Obama's address to Native American leaders

Washington, DC – Mandarin Oriental Hotel – Jan. 27, 2012 – Here are the President's remarks:

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Please have a seat. It is wonderful to see all of you here this afternoon. Some old friends and some new friends.

As you know, I'm not here tonight just as President, but also as an adopted member of the Crow Nation. If my adoptive parents were here, I know what they'd say: Kids just grow up so fast.

When I made that visit to Montana, I said that my job wasn't just to win an election. It was to make sure that Washington started to focus on you. And I took that commitment seriously.

My commitment is deeper than our unique nation-to-nation relationship. It's a commitment to making sure that we get that relationship right. Native Americans have to be full partners in our economy. Your children and your grandchildren have to have an equal shot at the American Dream.

And that's why for three years in a row now, we've brought tribal leaders to Washington to develop an agenda that reflects your hopes and your aspirations and the needs of your tribes. I've appointed Native Americans to senior positions in my administration and in my White House. And many of you have had a chance to work with Kim Teehee, who does an extraordinary job coordinating our Native American affairs in the White House. And we've worked together to tackle some of the most difficult challenges facing Native American families.

And we should be proud of what we've done so far. But it should also sharpen our resolve to do even more.

As long as Native Americans face unemployment rates that are far higher than the national average, we've got more work to do. And I wake up every day focused on how do we restore America's promise for all our people, including our first Americans.

So in my State of the Union address this week, I laid out my blueprint for an economy that's built to last, an economy built on American manufacturing and American energy, skills for American workers and a return to American values of fair play and responsibility. And that's what we're fighting for.

And I want you guys to be full partners in that fight because I believe that one day we're going to be able to look back on these years and say this was a turning point in nation-to-nation relations; that this was turning point when the nations all across the country recognized that they were full partners, treated with dignity and respect and consultation; that this wasn't just a side note on a White House agenda, but this was part and parcel of our broader agenda to make sure that everybody has opportunity.

And it's also a moment when we build a strong middle class in Indian country. It's not simply a ward but is able to marshal the resources to create its own agenda and its own destiny and its own economic development and its own businesses. That's what we're looking for.

We want new businesses and new opportunities to take root on the reservation. We want to stop repeating the mistakes of the past and begin building a better future -- one that honors old traditions and also welcomes every single Native American into the American Dream.

We've done some great work together -- whether it's making sure that Indian Health was permanently extended and that we were putting additional resources to make sure that we're picking up the health of Native Americans all across the country. Whether it's an executive order that specifies our focus on education with all of your tribes, whether it's making sure that we are working hard to allow the expansion of land in trust on behalf of nations to go further, we've made some significant progress. But we've got a lot more to do.

And I'm going to need all of you to continue to consult with us, to continue to work with us, continue to partner with us. I guarantee you that the work we've done over these first three years is not the end, it's just the beginning.

And if you stick with me, I promise you guys I'm going to be sticking with you. All right, God bless you. Thank you.

Brief editorial comments from the editor's desk –

On and Off the Lake Traverse Reservation

Unfortunately, it is our duty to report the passing of more of our Oyate.

See the obituary information for Melvin Owen and Allen Brown.

Melvin's service was scheduled this Monday, and Allen's on Tuesday.

We offer our prayers and sympathy to their families.

*****

As the country becomes more deeply engaged in the next presidential campaign, we provide President Obama's State of the Union Address, as well as his comments to tribal leaders gathering in Washington, DC.

Also, we have NCAI's response to the State of the Union message.

Despite the political party polarization and obvious stranglehold of our country's legislative branch and bureaucratic policy by corporations and the "one percent," we see Obama as someone who has worked consistently to meet the promises he has made to Indian country.

Perfect record? Flawless? Of course not.

But on the environment and issues most dear to the tribal community, he has been good.

With the Supreme Court doing the bidding of those corporations and one percent, now we expect more overloads of campaign advertising to support "their" agenda over what should be the "people's" agenda in the campaign!

Hopefully, enough voters will see through the smoke and mirrors, but we not optimistic.

*****

Pidamiya Bonnie Flammond for sharing more photos of our Toka Nuwan riders who participated in the Unity Riders December 2011 Wokiksuye Ride of Remembrance.

Please see Bonnie's photos elsewhere in this edition of the Sota, and in full color on the Sota website.

Pidamiya to all the riders and many, many support persons and those who contributed to help make this legacy ride of remembrance possible.

*****

Sota readers will certainly remember pet rezcue articles, with health tips for our community's cats and dogs, written by Jani No Heart.

This week we welcome Jani back to our Sota pages, not with health tips for our pets but for us!

Please read this week's article, in our "health" section, and consider entering the apple recipe contest.

*****

Readers will recall the utter destruction of the home of Teresa White and Robert Bird along Lake Traverse.

The couple lost almost everything they possessed in the explosion – including a priceless collection of Native jewelry and artifacts.

A fundraiser has been organized by their friends, and is announced elsewhere in this edition of the Sota.

There is a star quilt raffle to be given away on February 10th.

Contact Janice Roberts for more information: 698-4998 or 864-0473.

*****

We encourage Oyate interested in helping save the Dakotah Language to consider attending a Camp being held February 10-12 in Minnesota.

Organizers are encouraging Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate to come and share Dakota-ia with their relatives in the camp.

More information is available elsewhere in this week's Sota.

Check it out.

Pidamiya.

*****

Words to consider (or, perhaps not!):

"I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts." Will Rogers (1879 - 1935), quoted in Saturday Review, Aug. 25, 1962

"On my income tax 1040 it says 'Check this box if you are blind.' I wanted to put a check mark about three inches away." Tom Lehrer (1928 - ), lecturing in "The Nature of Math", 4/4/90

"The wages of sin are unreported." Unknown

"Stoop and you'll be stepped on; stand tall and you'll be shot at." Carlos A. Urbizo

"The absence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously." Henry Kissinger (1923 - )

"The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made." Jean Giraudoux (1882 - 1944)

*****

The Sota is always looking for news of the Oyate.

If you have information and/or photos of newsworthy happenings in your family or community, please consider sharing with your Sota staff.

For submission deadlines and other information, see below:

Except for holidays copy to be considered for publication – news, advertising, editorial opinion letters, etc. – is to be submitted to: Sota, P.O. Box 5, Wilmot, SD 57279 by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. FAX and e-mail submissions will be accepted until 12:00 noon on Friday (with the exception of letters to the editor/open letters to the Oyate, or "opinion" letters, which must be received by 10:00 a.m. Thursday).

If you are writing an opinion letter, please note that it must be signed and the author's name will appear in print. Letters must not contain libel and must be brief, ideally 500 words or less. Letters may be edited for content. Omissions will be identified with periods . . . editor's explanations will be provided in [brackets]. Readers who want access to unedited versions will need to contact the authors.

Earlier receipt of copy is always appreciated. So, if you are aware of a date or message that needs to be publicized or advertised, please let us know about it in advance of the weekly deadline.

The preferred way to submit typed articles and ads, art and photos, is by e-mail.

The editor can be reached at the following e-mail address:

earthskyweb@cs.com

For more information, leave a message on the Sota production office voicemail (605) 938-4452, or send a fax to the 24-hour dedicated line (605) 938-4676.

-- CDF

Obituaries –

Services for Melvin Amos

Funeral service for Melvin C. Amos, 73, of Peever, SD was scheduled to be held on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Ascension Presbyterian Church, Big Coulee with the Rev. Enright BigHorn, Rev. Clifford Chanku, and Jr. Heminger officiating.

Pianist was Billy Kohl with special Music by the Big Coulee Choir.

Pallbearers were be Quinton Owen, Jimmy Neilan, Justin and Steven Kongi, Darrin and Darrel Amos.

Honorary pallbearers were be Mandell Yankton, Les Barse Sr., Tyler Sullivan, Mike Shaffer, Josh, Gilbert, and Bobby Kohl, Charles Amos, Virgil Lewandowski, Harvey Quinn, Morris Spider, and all of Melvin's friends and relatives.

Interment is in the Ascension Presbyterian Cemetery, Big Coulee, SD.

Military rites were provided by the Vietnam Veterans.

There were wake services on Saturday and Sunday at the Big Coulee District Center.

The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, SD was in charge of arrangements.

Melvin Curtis Amos was born on March 11, 1938 in Sisseton, SD to Norby and Flora (Phelps) Amos.

He grew up and attended and graduated from the Flandreau Indian School. After his education Melvin entered the US Army where he served from 1961 until 1964. He received the sharpshooter and expert marksman badges.

Melvin was married on December 2, 1969 to Georgette Kongi. The couple had two children.

He attended school in Webster, SD for welding. Melvin was also a bricklayer for the SWST.

He loved fishing, hunting, and fast cars. He also loved driving the back roads checking out the scenery.

Melvin passed away on January 25, 2012 at the Tekakwitha Nursing Center.

Melvin is survived by two children, Conrad Amos of Peever, SD and Candace Irish of Waubay, SD; three sisters, LaVelva Williams of Peever, SD, Mabel Amos of Peever, SD and Geraldine cole of Minneapolis, MN, Two Brothers; Charles Amos of Peever, SD, and Harlan Amos of Sisseton, SD, and five grandchildren.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Gaylord, and one sister Sabina.

For Melvin's obituary and on-line registry please visit www.cahillfuneralchapel.com/.

Services Tuesday for Allen Brown Sr.

Funeral service for Allen Amos Brown Sr., 71, of Browns Valley, MN will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Tribal Community Center, Agency Village with the Rev. Vern Donnell Jr. Heminger, and Milton Owen officiating.

Pianist will be Billy Kohl and Kay Bursheim with special Music by Butch Felix.

Pallbearers will be Michael Wanna, Eric Wanna, Glen Wanna Sr., Keith Huff, Chad Brown, Todd Brown, Gabe DuMarce, Spencer Julius, Lincoln J. Wanna, Justin White, Ray Brown, and Lincoln "Sonny" Wanna.

Honorary pallbearers will be Carole Belle Bursheim, Beatrice Christopherson, Gwen Hill, Dennis Keeble, Mike Just, Ramona Richter, Fran Kirk, Harold Hansen, Cy Spindler, Joe Williams, Duane LaBelle, Vine T. Marks, Marty Binger, Ethel Spider, Nancy Peterson and "All Housing and Bowling Friends."

Interment will be in the St. Matthew's Catholic Cemetery, Veblen, SD.

There were wake services on Saturday and Sunday, and an all-night wake service Monday.

The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.

Allen Amos Brown Sr. was born on April 16, 1940 in Sisseton, SD to Wilfred and Vivian (King) Brown.

He grew up and attended school at Wahpeton and Flandreau then attended school for Culinary Arts at San Lorenzo, CA. He then moved to Minneapolis and worked for a while then returned to Sisseton and worked for the SWST Housing. He was HIP Director and worked for the CIAP Program then he was the vocational instructor at Sisseton Wahpeton College for Carpentry. He was also self-employed for many years as a mechanic.

He enjoyed bowling, shooting pool, fishing, and bow hunting.

Allen passed away on January 26, 2012 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Allen is survived by six children, Tamara (Ron) DuMarce of Sisseton, SD, Allen (Faye) Brown Jr., of Sisseton, SD, Allen Dean and Tonya Brown of Browns Valley, MN, Latonia Joy LaBelle of Sisseton, SD, Kevin Brown of Eagle Butte, SD, and Kimberly Brown of Eagle Butte, SD, two sisters Charlene Wanna of Sisseton, SD and Jacqueline Wanna of Sisseton, SD, two brothers Spencer (Lillian) Wanna of Sisseton, SD and Duane (Karen) Brown of Sisseton, SD.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, one son Lawrence James Brown, one grandson Jarrod Lynn DuMarce, three brothers Wilfred "Nicky" Brown, Lincoln Dean Wanna, and Edwin Lavern Brown, and one sister Vernice Ann Brown-White.

For Allen's obituary and on-line registry please visit www.cahillfuneralchapel.com/.

Notice of editorial policy

(Editor's note: The following comes from the editor's column and the Sota "deadlines and policies" statement published weekly in the Sota.)

Copy to be considered for publication – news, advertising, editorial opinion letters, etc. – are to be submitted to: Sota, P.O. Box 5, Wilmot, SD 57279 by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. FAX and e-mail submissions will be accepted until 12:00 noon on Friday (with the exception of letters to the editor/Open letter to the Oyate, or "opinion" letters, which must be received no later than 10:00 a.m. Thursday).

If you are writing an opinion letter, please note that it must be signed and the author's name will appear in print. Letters must not contain libel or offensive language and must be brief, 500 words or less. Letters may be edited for content. Omissions will be identified with periods . . . editor's explanations will be provided in [brackets]. Readers who want access to unedited versions will need to contact the authors.

PARENTS OF TEENS: Why Should You Care?

Growing up is risky business. That's why, as a parent, you're always working to keep your child safe from danger. From their first baby steps to the first car keys, you are there for them-teaching life skills and setting limits so your son or daughter will succeed and thrive.

Parenting gets more challenging when kids reach adolescence. Teens naturally push their limits, test boundaries, and make choices that baffle and worry parents. They begin to look more mature and grown-up, so it's easy to be fooled into thinking that they will behave like adults.

But they don't, especially when it comes to alcohol.

Of all the dangers your teen faces, underage drinking is among the worst. Whether teens are experimenting with beer, wine, or other liquor, alcohol presents a serious-and potentially deadly-threat. Compared with non-drinking classmates, teens who drink are more likely to:

*Die in a car crash

*Get pregnant

*Flunk school

*Be sexually assaulted

*Become an alcoholic later in life

*Take their own life through suicide

Remember: The longer your child waits to start drinking, the safer he or she will stay.

This article was adapted from www.madd.org.

For more information contact Aliive-Roberts County at 605-698-3477, www.aliive.org, info@aliive.org, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aliveRC.

Glaucoma and Unktomi, the Silent Thief

By Teddi LaBelle

SWO Community Health Educator

This is a story my Ina told me about her grandfather. She said, "Unkanna was a great story teller. He lived to be 102 and spent the last years of his life telling our young people about how life was in the old days.

She pointed to some trees and said, "One day he was sitting under those trees over there, listening to the birds and enjoying their singing. He was blind and he liked to tease me by saying, "Takoza, its good to see you again". Then he would chuckle at his joke.

He began the story that day by saying, "Life was not always as easy as it is today. There was a time when I was a young man that we had to look many days for the buffalo, sending out our most skilled hunters. Often they would return empty handed and we would be without meat. Turnips are good but they're even better with buffalo meat." he would joke."

"Unkanna turned his eyes to the sky, breathed deeply and began his story. "There was once a young brave with eyes as keen as a hawk's. The Creator had given him this gift to use to help his people. He was always being chosen by the elders to lead the hunting parties because it was known that he could see for miles. For many years, this man used his gift wisely.

One day, Unktomi was sitting in his web watching the hunter. He said to himself, "I want those eyes. I will steal them slowly so that the hunter will not even know he is losing his gift." So Unktomi sent a bad spirit to the hunter. Every time the hunter slept, the bad spirit would float under his eyelids and press upon his eyes until slowly, ever so slowly, the hunter's eyes were damaged.

At first the hunter did not notice the damage that Untomi was doing to his eyes. His vision was still sharp and he could still see for miles. He would lead the hunting parties out and they would return quickly with fresh meat. Then one day, as the hunter stood on top of a grassy ridge looking for buffalo, he became aware that his vision was dimmed around the corners of his view and everything did not look as clear and bright as it once had. He thought on these things and wondered to himself what he should do. He knew he would have to give up his position as leader of the hunting parties and it made him sad. He loved to go out hunting and he had good feelings knowing he had contributed to the welfare of his tribe.

One warm day as summer drew to a close, he led the hunters out one last time. His sight was now fading fast and he hoped he would be able to once again find the buffalo quickly. The time for drying meat was coming upon them and it was time to prepare for winter. The hunting party rode for miles but no buffalo were to be found. Three days they rode and three days they found none. The hunter knew they would have to turn back soon if the buffalo were not found. His heart was heavy. In all his years as a hunter, he had never returned to the tribe empty-handed.

He went up a ridge and lifted his hands in prayer to the Creator. "Creator," he said. "Let me once again have the eyes of a hawk. My people need your help. We must dry meat and prepare for winter. We need tatonka. Hear me, Creator. I give you honor and respect."

With his head and arms raised toward the sky and his eyes closed, he chanted a song of honor to the Creator. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he sang his prayer. As he finished his song, he heard the screech of a hawk and knew in his heart that his prayer had been answered.

He opened his eyes to the brightness of the day and there in the distance, he could see tatanka.

"Thank you, Creator", he said, "I will tell the people of your goodness".

Two weeks later, the meat dried and stored, the tribe celebrated. The hunter now told the elders about his failing eyesight and how the Creator had restored his vision one last time.

Ina had tears in her eyes as she finished her story. She said, "That young hunter was my grand-father. This is Unkanna's story."

Many years later when the wacicu doctors came, they told Unkanna he had a eye disease called glaucoma. Unktomi had sent glaucoma to caused his blindness. When medicine was discovered to treat glaucoma, Unkanna said to me, "Takoza, if Unktomi ever sends glaucoma to you, you don't have to be blind. Use the wacicu's medicine. It is good."

At 102 years of age, Unkanna journeyed into the spirit world as bravely and eagerly as he lead the hunting parties years before. He knew the Creator would be there waiting for him.

What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. However, with early detection and treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss.

What can I do to protect my vision?

1.  See your eye care professional regularly for a glaucoma exam.

2.  If you are being treated for glaucoma, be sure to use your glaucoma medicine every day.

3.  Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every two years. Lowering eye pressure in glaucoma's early stages slows progression of the disease and helps save vision.

Good Health is in Bloom with Apple Recipe Contest

By Jani No Heart

You're in Control of Your Health

It's a rare individual who doesn't want to be in control of his or her life. We dislike others making decisions for us, telling us what to do. Yet, when it comes to our health, many of us feel powerless, like we have to accept the hand destiny deals us. Except we don't! Who hasn't heard the cliché "you are what you eat?" Have you ever stopped to consider-I mean really meditate on-the significance of those five little words? Talk about control!! We're largely in the driver's seat when it comes to our health. What we put into our bodies is precisely what we become, as our digestive systems turn last night's dinner into billions of new cells that replace degenerated, worn-out ones! Eat junk, and-true to this principle- we'll look and feel like junk. We'll be tired and may break down with one or more diseases. However, the opposite is also true. Eat healthy, living foods, and we'll look and feel alive and vibrant. Have you yearned for more energy, more vigor with fewer aches and pains? It's absolutely within your control to achieve it! Every single time you decide what to eat or drink, you make the choice to create good health and vitality-or not. Beginning today, count on this weekly feature in the Sota to help inspire you to better health during the remaining days of 2012.

"A" is for Apple…and Anti-Aging

Speaking of clichéd principles, the individual who said "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," would surely have won the Nobel Prize for Medicine had it then existed. Apples significantly-almost miraculously-contribute to health in so many ways, thanks to their abundance of various polyphenols. Here are four major benefits to munching this crispy fruit: Anti -cancer-Apples have exhibited a unique affinity for the lungs and the ability to reduce the risk of lung cancer in nearly one million test subjects. Apples have demonstrated their ability to protect against colon, prostate and breast cancer, too.

Anti-Asthma-Apples contain quercetin, an anti-histamine compound that helps stop allergic reactions. Multiple studies have also associated apple intake with decreased risk of asthma. Blood Sugar Regulation-Polyphenols in apples clearly slow down the rate of carbohydrate digestion and also reduce sugar absorption from the digestion tract into the bloodstream-great news for anyone struggling with type 2 diabetes.

Heart Health-Apples significantly reduce LDL cholesterol, thanks to their pectin (fiber) and unusual mix of polyphenols. Additionally, the level of C-Reactive Protein (a measurement of inflammation in the body) is reduced after consumption of apples.

Apple Recipe Contest

Convinced you need to include more apples in your diet? Why not help others feel great, too, by sharing your healthy recipes? We invite you to submit creative ideas for a food or beverage featuring apples as a key ingredient. All other ingredients in the recipe must be considered healthy, too. For example, a recipe might call for one-fourth cup of butter. Since butter is high in calories and artery-clogging saturated fat, however, perhaps you could substitute olive oil (heart-smart monounsaturated fat) or coconut oil (with its medium-chained triglycerides that metabolize as energy rather than store as fat). Enter as many apple recipes as you like. Email them to sissetonhealthyrecipes@gmail.com or place them in an envelope addressed to "Sisseton Healthy Recipes" and drop them off at the Customer Service counter of Teal's Market. Three winners will be selected from the entries. The grand prize winner will be awarded a $50 gift card, and the other two winners will each receive a $25 gift card to Teal's Market. Please submit your entries by next Tuesday, February 7. The winners will be announced in the February 15 edition of the Sota.

*****

Jani No Heart graduated from New York's Institute for Integrated Nutrition in 2008 and is certified through Columbia University as a holistic health counselor. Currently she manages the produce department of Teal's Market in Sisseton.

Roberts Co. residents can help fight Cancer by sharing Daffodils

Roberts County residents can fight back against cancer and share hope for those facing the disease by supporting the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days. This longstanding program, which involves offering daffodils every spring to donors in appreciation for their contributions, is about more than just giving beautiful flowers - it is everyone's opportunity to share hope for a world free of cancer. For a donation of $10, everyone from school children to corporate CEOs can receive a bouquet of fresh-cut daffodils.

"I encourage everyone to help paint our communities yellow with daffodils this spring to represent our commitment to preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from the disease," said Shelva Landmark, Roberts County Daffodil Chairperson. "We all have the power to make a difference for those facing cancer and their families. By giving daffodils, we are actually sharing hope."

As the first flower of spring, the daffodil is the American Cancer Society's symbol of hope for a world free of cancer. Landmark will coordinate all activities regarding the ordering and delivery of daffodils throughout Roberts County. In addition to daffodil bouquets, Dainty Daffodils, the popular Bunch and a Vase, and the Sunshine Bouquet are also available. This year also marks the 7th year for the collectible Boyds™ Bear designed exclusively for the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days Bear and a Bunch™ that is available for a donation of $25. The last day to place an advanced order is February 20; with the daffodil products delivered the week of March 12, 2012.

For more information about Daffodil Days, to request daffodils or to get involved with the program, contact the American Cancer Society at 800-660-7703x205.

Having cancer is hard. Finding help shouldn't be. As a nationwide organization, the American Cancer Society helps everyone facing the disease, first through our research program providing them with advanced treatments and medications, and also providing assistance when and where the cancer patients need it. Dollars raised through Daffodil Days are providing hope to people in the Roberts County communities. For cancer information, day-to-day help, or emotional support, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

"Celebration of HOPE" Walk/Run Team Captain Kick-Off

Sisseton, SD -- The Roberts County "Celebration of HOPE" Walk/Run Committee is inviting you to join us as a Walk/Run Team at our 2012 event which will be held on Friday, June 15th at the Sisseton Football Field.

Save the Date!

We will be having a special "kick-off" for the team captains so you can receive your team packets, luminaria bags, and information.

*Join us on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 @ 5:15 p.m.

*Highrise Apartments-Community Room.

If you are unable to attend the kick-off party, please call Janis Hamm at 698-7582 or Doreen Weidenbach at 698-7743 after February 28th to get your team packets and luminaria bags.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913, the Society involves millions of volunteers across the United States in our fight to eliminate cancer. For more information anytime, call toll free 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Ask Anything

By Richard P. Holm MD

I think it is pertinent to the topic of the week, "ask anything" to pose the question, "What does it mean to be a doctor"? This is especially apropos as a new crop of doctors are graduating from med school this spring.

Did you know that in order to enter into the profession of medicine, each new doctor must make a serious promise? It is to profess or to give one's solemn word to do the right thing in the name of all that is sacred, and this pledge is given in public for all to see and hear. By the way, it is this professing or promising that is the basis for the word "profession".

In a recent issue of the medical journal Pharos, Edward Harris, the editor, writes about three parts to the promise. First it has to do with valuing service to others over personal reward. That means medicine is a profession that should not be undertaken with profit in mind. I would state here that clearly most premed students do not go into medicine for profit, although there are be a few that do, and I see them as the least blessed of the profession.

Next, Harris points out that as a medical profession, we should be responsible for monitoring who are ethical and competent enough to graduate from med school, to be licensed to practice, and to continue to practice. It is important to protect the public from unethical or incompetent physicians, and that is why we have a State Board of Medical Examiners.

Finally, we profess to keep the sacred trust of a valuable body of knowledge, to continuously critique, question, and challenge that knowledge, and to pass it on in order to benefit every individual patient.

And passing on knowledge is what we are trying to do with our television show "On Call"®. That's a promise.

Dr. Rick Holm wrote this editorial for "On Call®," a weekly program where medical professionals discuss health concerns for the general public. "On Call®" is produced by the Healing Words Foundation in association with the South Dakota State University Journalism Department. "On Call®" airs Thursdays on South Dakota Public Broadcasting-Television at 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain.

Ripple Effect –

Risk: What does YOUR mind say?

With the recent spate of wet years here in the Red River basin, we've heard more than usual about risks of flooding. Statistical risks for flooding are based on the historical record of flooding and are typically expressed as statistical chances for certain levels of flooding in any one year. For example, there is a 1% for a 100-year flood in any single year, a .50% for a 200-year flood, a .20% chance for a 500-year flood.

But is this the way most people think of the risk of flooding? Research by Nobel Prize winner in Economics, Daniel Kahneman, about how people think when it comes to risk suggests the answer is no.

What do we know about how we think of risk? First, we know people are most diligent in responding to risk right after they have been affected. For instance, after major earthquakes in California, citizens become more diligent about purchasing insurance and practicing other measures to protect their lives and property. After some time elapses, however, memories dim and these actions drop off, even though actual risk for earthquake damage hasn't changed.

Why does this happen? Kahneman concludes that this typical response to risk has much to do with our short memories when it comes to risk situations. It is this out of sight, out of mind, thinking that results in the typical cycle of "disaster, concern and growing complacency" that is all too familiar to those in emergency work. An example of this cycle hit close to home in 2011 when Minot, North Dakota, which had not experienced flooding for many years, was caught unprepared, the city and its individual property owners alike.

A second thing we know about how we think of and respond to risk is that we tend to assume that the level of risk ahead will only be as great as the worst disaster we have already experienced. Kahneman notes that as far back as ancient Egypt, high water marks were recorded with each flood and used to determine the preparation level for the next flood. This practice continues in many instances even today. Here in the Red River basin, for example, much of the planning for future floods is still aimed at the more familiar floods of 100-year magnitude or smaller, even though several areas of the basin have already experienced flooding up to 200-year and even 500-year levels.

Why do we have trouble preparing for potentially larger floods? Kahneman's answer is that we're being tricked by our imaginations. Most of us, he explains, have trouble picturing risks we haven't seen, whether they are earthquakes or floods. As a result, we continue to think in terms of what we have available in our minds.

Yes, here in the Red River basin, we've experienced much flooding, and we've been informed that greater floods are possible. But we've had a dry fall, and winter thus far has produced little snow. So what are our minds telling us today about flood risk?

Until the next Ripple Effect, The Red River Basin Commission (RRBC).

*****

The RRBC is a grassroots organization that is a chartered not-for-profit corporation under the provisions of Manitoba, North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota law. Our offices in Moorhead, MN and Winnipeg, MB can be reached at 218-291-0422 and 204-982-7254, or you can check out our website at www.redriverbasincommission.org.

Nutrient management strategy for International Red River Watershed

In the fall of 2011, progress was made towards developing a basin-wide nutrient management plan for the Red River watershed. The International Red River Board (IRRB) of the International Joint Commission (IJC) endorsed a plan presented by North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba to develop a nutrient management strategy for the watershed. A newly formed committee of the IRRB will take on the task of developing a nutrient reduction strategy. The committee includes representatives from North Dakota, Minnesota, Manitoba, the Red River Basin Commission (RRBC) and federal agencies in the United States and Canada. The RRBC will provide important support to the ongoing development of the nutrient management strategy.

Numerous individuals, organizations and jurisdictions across the Red River basin are involved in nutrient reduction activities. However, today's announcement is significant in that it clearly demonstrates jurisdictions, working across state, provincial, and international borders, are committed to collectively working together to meet this tremendous challenge - that is, to reduce nutrient contributions to our shared water systems. The committee will collect information on nutrient reduction efforts already underway. In addition, committee members will exchange information on nutrient control activities (e.g., treatment technologies, best management practices, education programs) and discuss how best to reduce nutrient inputs in their respective jurisdictions. The jurisdictions will also work together to develop nutrient load allocation and/or water quality targets for nutrients for the Red River. Implementation of the outcomes of the nutrient management strategy will be a future topic of discussion between and within jurisdictions.

Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen enter lakes and rivers through from fields, discharges from wastewater treatment facilities and other sources. Nutrients can cause excessive growth of algae and other plants leading to problems with water clarity and dissolved oxygen levels. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Paul Aasen said the committee will pursue a consensus-based approach to decision-making. "We recognize that ultimately local jurisdictions will make final decisions regarding the nutrient reduction measures that are most appropriate for the own jurisdictions, but the committee will help facilitate the exchange of information and promote consistency wherever possible."

Aasen said an important first step will be to identify high priority areas. "In Minnesota, we have monitoring results and watershed modeling data that show where the highest percentages of the nutrients are coming from to help us focus our resources in those areas first. Another priority is the health of Lake Winnipeg. Monitoring progress in the lake is a good way to gauge the effectiveness of nutrient reduction efforts." "Ultimately, it will be the people living in the Red River basin who will be responsible for reducing nutrient inputs to our rivers and lakes," said Dennis Fewless, Director of the North Dakota Department of Health's Division of Water Quality. "The committee's goal is to develop a strategy based on sound science and basin-wide cooperation, while retaining the nutrient management efforts unique to each jurisdiction."

"Manitoba is very pleased to be working collaboratively with Minnesota, North Dakota, the Red River Basin Commission and others across the Red River watershed on this nutrient management strategy. The reduction of nutrients will improve water quality and the health not only of Lake Winnipeg but of all surface waters across the international Red River watershed " said Nicole Armstrong, Director of Manitoba's Water Science and Management Branch, Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship. In 2010, representatives from the U.S. and Canadian federal governments, the State of North Dakota and the Province of Manitoba met to discuss a variety of issues associated with the Devils Lake flooding situation. One of the outcomes of the meeting was a unanimous agreement to begin work on a basin-wide nutrient management strategy. All jurisdictions involved agreed that Minnesota and other agencies such as the RRBC and the IRRB should also be engaged in the development of a nutrient management strategy.

The IRRB is one of 20 boards created by the International Joint Commission (IJC). The Commission arose from the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between the United States and Canada to resolve issues involving lakes and rivers that border the two countries. The IJC has six members: three appointed by the U.S. and three by Canada.

From the White House blog –

Comprehensive funding approach to Public Safety in Tribal communities

Posted by Tracy Russo – Jan. 23, 2012 – This is cross-posted from The Justice Blog:

Last week, the Justice Department announced the posting of the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), a comprehensive grant solicitation to support improvements to public safety, victim services and crime prevention in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

More than $101.4 million is available through the 2012 CTAS. This year, funding can be used to conduct comprehensive planning, enhance law enforcement, bolster justice systems, support and enhance tribal efforts to prevent and control juvenile delinquency and strengthen the juvenile justice system, prevent youth substance abuse, serve victims of crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as support other crime-fighting efforts.

CTAS is a critical part of the Justice Department's ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities. This is the third year for CTAS, which provides tribal governments and tribal consortia with a single application to reach all of the department's grant-making components, including the Office of Justice Programs, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, and the Office on Violence Against Women. It allows these grant-making components to assess the totality of the public safety needs of each tribe or tribal consortia. The FY 2012 CTAS reflects improvements developed as a result of tribal consultations, listening sessions, and other feedback.

Commenting on the announcement, Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli said:

"We are committed to helping strengthen and sustain safe and healthy American Indian and Alaska Native communities with a funding process that is responsive and coordinated. This effort to streamline the grant application process, with multiple purpose areas, offers tribes and tribal consortia an opportunity to develop a comprehensive and community-based approach to public safety and support for victims."

The Community Partnerships Grants Management System will begin accepting electronic applications on Monday, January 23, 2012. The deadline for submitting applications is 9:00 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.

For more information on the department's efforts to strengthen public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, visit the Tribal Justice and Safety website at www.justice.gov/tribal or download the Fact Sheet on the FY 2012 CTAS (PDF).

From the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee –

Groundhog Day: Kristi Noem – Protect billionaires, not middle income taxpayers

House Republican payroll tax negotiators finally returned from vacation today, but Representative Kristi Noem (SD-AL) continues to oppose ending tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires in order protect middle class taxpayers from a $1,000 payroll tax hike at the end of February. Noem would rather protect the ultra wealthy who pay less taxes than most middle income families — like Mitt Romney, who only paid 14% — and force payroll taxes to rise for 160 million middle income Americans. At the end of last year, House Republicans like Noem nearly forced the payroll tax cut to expire.

"Representative Kristi Noem would rather have middle income taxpayers face a $1,000 payroll tax hike than have Mitt Romney and millionaires like him pay more than 14% in taxes," said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "It's like groundhog day all over again with Kristi Noem risking a $1,000 tax hike on 160 million middle income Americans just to protect tax breaks for the ultra wealthy."

Background

Payroll Tax Conferees to Meet on January 24, 2012. "The conference committee looking to hammer out a year-long extension of the payroll tax cut will meet for the first time on Jan. 24, top lawmakers said Thursday evening." [The Hill, 1/20/12]

Romney Paid 14% Tax Rate. "Mitt Romney took in $21.7 million in income in 2010 and paid $3 million in taxes, a tax rate of just under 14 percent, according advanced copies of the returns that were provided to several newspapers." [ABC News, 1/24/12]

House Republicans are Refusing to Budge on Payroll Tax Positions. According to Bloomberg News, "Congressional negotiators are refusing to budge from positions that could stall talks to extend a payroll tax cut through 2012. A House-Senate conference committee aimed at breaking the deadlock may meet as soon as Jan. 24. Democrats want to impose a tax on income exceeding $1 million and are warning Republicans against seeking to attach policy proposals that aren't linked to the tax cut, such as loosening rules on industrial emissions. Republicans oppose the tax on high earners to pay for the extension, while insisting that the full $100 billion package must be offset." [Bloomberg, 1/19/12]

House Republican Plan Would Raise the Cost of Medicare Premiums. The Associated Press reported, "Raising taxes on millionaires may be a non-starter for Republicans, but they seem to have no problem hiking Medicare premiums for retirees making a lot less." The House Republican bill would require many seniors to pay "as much as several hundred dollars a month additional for Medicare outpatient and prescription coverage." [Associated Press, 12/13/11]

First Nations awarded $2.88 million to improve food systems in Native American communities

Longmont, Colo. (Jan. 25, 2012) – First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) has been awarded $2.88 million over the next three years by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich., to increase positive outcomes in Native children's health and economic well-being.

First Nations will explore the increase of local control over reservation-based food systems, such as a higher proportion of traditional and local foods, as well as better linkages with local producers, all with the hope of creating positive outcomes in the lives of America's Indian children.

"This project links local and regional economic development with the provision of culturally appropriate foods for Native youth, while at the same time celebrating and preserving Native culture and reinforcing Indian children's cultural identity," shared Michael E. Roberts, president of First Nations. "Using food as an entry point for community involvement, is not only good business, but it also enables young people to feel pride about their culture and their communities."

The food security program will focus on: Native community-based food systems projects to expand provision of healthy foods; to build the organizational and program management capacity and sustainability, and assist Native communities in evaluating their local food systems; management of agriculture-based businesses that focuses on the development of a tribal college agri-entrepreneurship curriculum; link locally-grown foods to institutional buyers including the farm-to-cafeteria movement and the influence of federal regulations on tribal and local control of food systems, and examine the challenges and opportunities; and, provide health and wellness information through printed media and online communications for Native communities to encourage healthy lifestyle choices.

The project intends to make ten (10) grants annually through a competitive selection process targeting Native American organizations or tribal programs that are currently addressing food systems issues.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, founded in 1930 by breakfast cereal pioneer Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Based in Battle Creek, Mich., WKKF works nationally and internationally, and engages with communities in priority places in across the U.S., Mexico and Haiti to create conditions that propel vulnerable children to realize their full potential in school, work and life. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.

About First Nations Development Institute

For more than thirty years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage, or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native communities. First Nations serves rural and reservation-based Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information about First Nations, visit www.firstnations.org.

2010 Census shows nearly half of American Indians and Alaska Natives report Multiple Races

Washington, DC - Jan. 25, 2012 - The U.S. Census Bureau today released a 2010 Census brief, The American Indian and Alaska Native Population: 2010, that shows almost half (44 percent) of this population, or 2.3 million people, reported being American Indian and Alaska Native in combination with one or more other races. This multiracial group grew by 39 percent from 2000 to 2010.

Overall, 5.2 million people, or 1.7 percent of all people in the United States, identified as American Indian and Alaska Native, either alone or in combination with one or more races. This population grew by 27 percent from 2000 to 2010. Those who reported being American Indian and Alaska Native alone totaled 2.9 million, an increase of 18 percent from 2000 to 2010. The multiple race American Indian and Alaska Native population, as well as both the alone and alone-or-in-combination populations, all grew at a faster rate than the total U.S. population, which increased by 9.7 percent from 2000 to 2010.

More Than Three-Fourths Live Outside Tribal Areas

A majority of the American Indian and Alaska Native alone-or-in-combination population (78 percent) lived outside of American Indian and Alaska Native areas. At the same time, most counties with relatively higher proportions of American Indians and Alaska Natives tended to be in close proximity to reservations, trust lands or Oklahoma tribal statistical areas. This was especially evident in counties throughout the West and in Oklahoma.

Majority Live in 10 States

The 10 states with the largest American Indian and Alaska Native alone-or-in-combination population in 2010 were California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, New York, New Mexico, Washington, North Carolina, Florida and Michigan. Among these states, Texas, North Carolina and Florida experienced substantial rates of growth in this population at 46 percent, 40 percent and 38 percent, respectively. The American Indian and Alaska Native alone population experienced growth of at least 20 percent in Texas, North Carolina, Florida and New York.

The multiple-race American Indian and Alaska Native population increased by more than 50 percent in 18 states. North Carolina, Delaware and South Dakota experienced the most rapid growth in this population at more than 70 percent. In all but three states, the multiple-race proportion of the American Indian and Alaska Native alone-or-in-combination population increased from 2000 to 2010.

Tribal Groupings

The largest number of people who identified with an American Indian tribal grouping, either alone or in combination, identified as Cherokee (819,000). The Navajo tribal grouping had the largest number of individuals who identified with one tribal grouping and no other race (287,000).

Among the largest American Indian tribal groupings, Blackfeet had the highest proportion who reported more than one tribal grouping or race. Seventy-four percent of Blackfeet individuals reported an additional race and/or tribal grouping.

The largest Alaska Native tribal grouping, either alone or in combination, was Yup'ik (34,000), followed by Inupiat (33,000). Yup'ik also had the greatest number of people who identified with one tribal grouping and no other race (29,000).

Among all Alaska Native tribal groupings, Tlingit-Haida had the highest proportion who reported more than one tribal grouping or race. Forty-two percent of Tlingit-Haida individuals reported an additional race and/or tribal grouping.

Race Definitions

People who reported only one race on their 2010 Census questionnaire are referred to as the race "alone" population. For example, respondents who marked only the "American Indian or Alaska Native" category would be included in the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population. This population can be viewed as the minimum number of people reporting American Indian and Alaska Native.

Individuals who chose more than one of the six race category options on the 2010 Census form are referred to as the race "in combination" population, or as the group who reported more than one race. One way to define the American Indian and Alaska Native population is to combine those respondents who reported American Indian and Alaska Native alone with those who reported American Indian and Alaska Native in combination with one or more other races. Another way to think of the American Indian and Alaska Native alone-or-in-combination population is the total number of people who reported American Indian or Alaska Native, whether or not they reported any other races.

Legislative reports from Pierre –

Report from Sen. Jason Frerichs

Week three.

The first three weeks of the Legislative session are in the books, and all of the legislation is entered into the process. One bill allows for counties to use electronic poll books. Although counties would bear the costs, they could save money in the long run, and the books will help break down voting barriers and allow for more voting flexibility. I believe this means we are one step closer to same-day voter registration!

Confirming the nominees for the governor's cabinet positions and appointments to state boards and commissions has been the main focus of the state affairs committee. As the bill introduction deadline recently passed, I expect to see a number of bills up for hearing soon. Please contact me if you have any input or concerns about upcoming legislation.

The main focus of my attention this week was the education plan my Democratic colleagues and I laid out. We focused on reforming the formula for school funding. We also believe that prescribing a method for merit pay that schools and teachers do not want is not the best approach to increasing teacher salaries. We believe the best way to help teachers is to allow them to work together. Teacher collaboration is crucial to improving effectiveness and student achievement. The Governor's merit pay system attempts to mirror other states' approach to education, but it simply does not fit with South Dakota schools.

Our ideas, which have support among many of our Republican colleagues, allows local school districts to determine which approaches to teacher development work best for them. Ultimately, we all want to see students in South Dakota succeed. Leaving the measure of student success rely solely on standardized tests is not the answer. Our teachers should not have to "teach to the test"; instead, as the Governor has also advocated, teachers should be able to maximize the common core standards. This model ensures local flexibility, while maintaining appropriate benchmarks, and also allows the student to have options in their high school education.

House Bill 1234 is the governor's omnibus education overhaul legislation. It includes everything from evaluating teachers and principals and phasing out continuing contract, to paying math and science teachers more and ending the teacher compensation assistance program. Flexibility is a common request of local school boards along with their teachers and administration, but the governor's plan is anything but flexible. Rather than stifling innovation in the classroom and creating competition among teachers, I hope the legislators can help school districts and teachers do best. We can start by funding programs that reward professional development, such as National Board Certification.

Renewable energy is another area where the state can encourage economic development. I have entered a bill (SB 170) that would eliminate the contractors' excise tax on new or expanded wind energy development. Currently, there is a half-rate contractors' excise tax. I am pleased to have Republicans supporting the legislation to do our part in South Dakota.

Another main concern of mine is watershed district legislation, Senate Bill, which is a bi-partisan work in progress to address the drainage and water management issues. We hope to take an entire drainage basin approach specifically with the James River, Big Sioux River, and in northern Roberts County, the Red River Basin. This is more of a pilot project that breaks down barriers for local control and involvement. We know that many counties are choosing to remove their drainage ordinances, which will only increase drainage disputes to the courts system. We must find a way to bring the effected parties together, along with the facts from engineers, for a fair hearing, and an appropriate appeals procedure.

It is my pleasure to serve you in Pierre. Please keep in touch with pending legislation as the process will move along quickly. We plan to wrap up the main run of session by March 2nd. I will not be able to attend the Webster cracker-barrel, but I hope to host a listening session towards the end of February. You can reach me at: (605) 949-2204 and sen.frerichs@state.sd.us. Please checkout my website for updates: jasonfrerichs.com.

Report from Rep. Wismer

Week three.

One of the bills on the House calendar last Tuesday was a fee increase for the court system. Some Republicans opposed the bill because they were disappointed to see that last year's budget cuts were not being sustained. Some Democrats opposed the bill because they saw the fee as a back door tax increase. Enough yes votes were cast to pass the bill, but it was a good example of the philosophical differences we face in budget issues out here. Is it responsible to brag about not raising taxes when we accomplish that feat by increasing fees, by commandeering funds that were collected for a different purpose, by finding ways for the federal government to pay for services our state used to pay for ourselves, by increasing tuition for our college students, and finally, by pushing costs onto local governments, local schools, local nursing homes and local community service providers? Does that really serve the people? I think not.

In Appropriations Committee we heard from Game Fish and Parks on Monday. Our parks suffered $9 million in flood damage this year. One of the casualties has been Fisher Grove Park, (east of Redfield) because the bridge over the James River to the park has been irreparably damaged. To replace it would cost $800,000. That plus the flooding history (flooded three of the last five years) means that the camp sites need to be moved if they're going to maintain a campground there.

GF&P has several vacant conservation officer positions around the state. They've had some turnover problems because of low salaries and some of the officers move to other areas of law enforcement.

The Education bills were filed this week, so now educators can get a little better idea of what the administration has in mind with the proposed reforms he mentioned two weeks ago. Over the years, the state has had several education initiatives, and then when the political winds change, the programs, or at least the funds that were promised to go with them, disappear. The mechanics of these programs seem cumbersome to me. I can't help but think that after the cuts that education suffered last year, to have the conversation turned away from addressing funding to what must seem like a "flavor of the month" program with rules dictated to the locals by the state for a very small amount of money compared to what they lost last year must be very frustrating. According to Melody Schopp, the Education Department Secretary, on Tuesday, the teacher reward program mechanics and criteria for evaluations are "yet to be determined." She knows that "other types of assessments" will be needed for difficult to test areas such as music and art. She said the Department plans to get input from teachers around the state on how to evaluate and assess in those areas. Implementation would not happen until the 2014-15 school year.

The Governor's proposal to increase state workers pay by 3%, plus a one-time bonus of 5% comes after three years with no salary action. The Bureau of Personnel says that 20% of our state workforce will be eligible for retirement in the next five years. That poses a potential serious loss of talent and efficiencies. Half of the professional employees (e.g. accountants, engineers, and nurses) in state government leave in the first three years of their employment with the state because of low salaries. Employee turnover is expensive to all concerned. We do need to do what we can to preserve the investment we make in our state employees by keeping their pay within a market range that keeps them with us

Our vo-tech institutes are busy places these days, with 6,175 students enrolled at the four locations. The Governor's work force development program is going to help start new welding training programs at Sioux Falls and Mitchell and for development of an on-line welding course at Lake Area in Watertown. They are trying desperately to increase numbers of graduates, as several employers need welders.

It is a privilege to serve District One here in Pierre. I appreciate hearing from you on any issues you may have. As citizen legislators we always need lots of help keeping up on all the different areas in which we need expertise to make decisions. My phone number is 605-237-3086.

Legislative update from AARP South Dakota

Week 3 of the 2012 Legislative session

First, THANK YOU for all the feedback, and responses to our "Question of the Week". We know you're talking to lawmakers about these important issues, and it demonstrates that people 50 and older in the state are watching what happens in Pierre. It does make a difference!

Next, the session is picking up steam. 470 bills have been introduced, including a measure providing a tax credit for low income disabled and elderly individuals, and the Governor's proposal to use one time funds for an increase in payment rates for Medicaid providers - these will be priority issues for us this session. Learn more about specific details regarding these measures on our website.

Now, the "Question of the Week." As you see lawmakers at legislative coffees and cracker barrels this weekend, ask your legislators whether they support the Governor's plan to use one-time funds as a way to increase payment rates for Medicaid providers. Please share their responses via email to sdaarp@aarp.org or call AARP South Dakota toll free at 1-866-542-8172.

Finally, AARP Lobby Day at the Capitol is Tuesday, January 31. For those of you who plan on attending, we appreciate your willingness to make the trip. There may be a few seats lefts on busses near you – get details on our website.

I look forward to seeing some of you there and having our red vests take over the Capitol for the day!

Until next week, Sarah Jennings, State Director – AARP SD.

P.S. Don't forget: Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates - and live tweets from key committee hearings!

Sweeping racketeering indictment charges alleged members of the Native Mob

Minneapolis, MN – Jan. 25, 2012 – A federal indictment unsealed in part late yesterday charges 24 alleged members of the Native Mob gang with conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and other crimes. The Native Mob is a regional criminal gang that originated in Minneapolis in the early 1990s. Members routinely engage in drug trafficking, assault, robbery, and murder. Membership is estimated at 200, with new members, including juveniles, regularly recruited from communities with large, young, male, Native American populations. Association with the gang is often signified by wearing red and black clothing or sporting gang-related tattoos. The 47-count indictment was unsealed as to six defendants who made their initial federal court appearances late yesterday afternoon. They were apprehended earlier Tuesday, during a take-down conducted by between 100 and 150 local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement officials. Arrests were made on the White Earth, Mille Lacs, and Leech Lake Indian reservations as well as in the Twin Cities. Of the 18 remaining defendants, 12 are presently in jail or prison on other charges, while six continue to be sought by law enforcement. The six individuals arrested yesterday remain in custody pending their next hearings, scheduled for January 26th and 27th.

Earlier today, U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones said of the investigation, "This investigation exemplifies the law enforcement cooperation we are fortunate to experience here in Minnesota. Local, state, federal, and tribal investigators worked side by side to take down some of the most violent criminals in our state and, in the process, disrupt an extremely dangerous gang that diminishes the quality of life for those who live and work in Native American communities. We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in the investigation. Their efforts have made our streets and communities much safer."

The indictment alleges that since at least the mid-1990s, the defendants named in this case and others have conspired to conduct criminal activity through an "enterprise," namely, the Native Mob, in violation of the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"). The indictment alleges that the primary objective of this "enterprise" is to preserve, protect, promote, and enhance the Native Mob's power, territory, and financial gains.

To that end, gang members purportedly distribute illegal drugs, from crack cocaine to ecstasy. They also reportedly provide monetary support to other members, including those incarcerated; share with one another police reports, victim statements, and other case discovery; hinder or obstruct officials from identifying or apprehending those wanted by the law; and intimidate witnesses to Native Mob crimes. Moreover, they purportedly maintain and circulate firearms for gang use and commit acts of violence, including murder, against individuals associated with rival gangs.

Those charged in this indictment, along with their last known residence, include – Dale Wesley Ballinger, Jr., age 20, Isle, arrested this morning; Damien Lee Beaulieu, age 20, Onamia, arrested this morning; Aaron James Gilbert, Jr., age 24, Minneapolis, arrested this morning; Cory Gene Oquist, age 22, Bemidji, arrested this morning; Dale John Pindegayosh, age 29, Cass Lake, arrested this morning; Justen Lee Poitra, age 26, Cass Lake, arrested this morning.

In addition to the racketeering charge filed against all 24 defendants, other charges were levied against just some of the defendants. Those charges include conspiracy to use and carry firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence, the use and carrying of firearms during and in relation to a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a firearm, armed career criminal in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, distributing a controlled substance, and tampering with a witness.

(Note, until such time as defendants make their initial appearances in federal court, their names and the specific charges levied against them will not be disclosed.)

If convicted, the defendants face a potential maximum sentence of between 20 years and life in federal prison. Since the federal justice system does not have parole, prison terms would be served virtually in entirety. All sentences will ultimately be determined by a federal district court judge.

This case is the result of a long-term, cross-jurisdictional investigation conducted by local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement officers dedicated to making our streets and communities safer. They include the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; the Carlton County Sheriff's Office; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the FBI-funded Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force; the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department; the Bemidji Police Department; the Minneapolis Police Department; the Minnesota Department of Corrections; the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs; and the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.

These agencies investigated this case with assistance from—in alphabetical order—the Becker County Sheriff's Office, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, the Carlton County Attorney's Office, the Cass County Attorney's Office, the Cass County Sheriff's Office, the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office of Wisconsin, the Duluth Police Department, the Fon du Lac Tribal Police Department, the Fridley Police Department, the Itasca County Sheriff's Department, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, the Hubbard County Sheriff's Office, the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department, the LCO Reservation Police Department, the Lower Sioux Tribal Police Department, the Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Mille Lacs County Attorney's Office, the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office, the New Brighton Police Department, the North Central Drug Task Force, the Prior Lake Police Department, the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, the Redwood County Sheriff's Office, Richfield Police Department, the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office, the St. Paul Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Minneapolis Violent Offender Task Force, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and the White Earth Tribal Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Steven L. Schleicher.

Two men sentenced for racially-motivated assault in New Mexico

First Defendants Charged Under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Washington, DC – Paul Beebe and Jesse Sanford of Farmington, N.M., were sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Santa Fe, N.M., on federal hate crime charges related to a racially-motivated assault on a 22-year-old developmentally disabled man of Navajo descent, the Department of Justice announced. Beebe was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison followed by three years supervised release. Sanford was sentenced to five years in prison followed by three years supervised release. A third defendant, William Hatch, of Fruitland, N.M., previously pleaded guilty in June 2011 to conspiracy to commit a federal hate crime. Hatch has not yet been sentenced.

Beebe, Hatch and Sanford were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2010 on one count of conspiracy and one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (Shepard/Byrd Act). They were the first defendants ever to be charged under this law, which was enacted in October 2009. Beebe pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Shepard/Byrd Act, and Sanford pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit a violation of the Shepard/Byrd Act.

"The sentence imposed today by the court reflects the hateful and heinous nature of the defendants' actions, and serves as a reminder of courage of the victim who survived those acts and reported these crimes," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department will not tolerate violent racially-motivated assaults and will continue to work cooperatively with our state and local partners to aggressively enforce the Shepard/Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act."

"Today the court sentenced Paul Beebe and Jesse Sanford to significant terms of imprisonment for the inexcusable crime of assaulting, branding and scarring a young man simply because he happened to be a Native American," said Kenneth J. Gonzales, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico. "Violence motivated by racial or ethnic hatred exacerbates fear and tears at the fabric of our society. Here in New Mexico, where we celebrate our ethnic, racial and cultural diversity, I will continue to work with the FBI to vigorously investigate and prosecute acts of violence that are motivated by hatred of another's race or ethnic heritage."

"Today's sentencing is the result of the hard work of FBI special agents and our law enforcement partners, who were committed to pursuing justice until the perpetrators of this hate crime answered for their actions. But the fight against acts of hatred and intolerance goes on," said Carol K.O. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque Division of the FBI. "The Albuquerque FBI Division will continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement colleagues to investigate hate crimes, the number one priority of our Civil Rights Program."

During their plea hearing in August 2011, Beebe and Sanford admitted that Beebe took the victim to his apartment, which was adorned in racist paraphernalia, including a Nazi flag and a woven dream catcher with a swastika in it. After the victim had fallen asleep, the defendants began defacing the victim's body by drawing on him with blue, red and black markers. Once the victim awoke, Beebe branded the victim, who sat with a towel in his mouth, by heating a wire hanger on a stove and burning the victim's flesh, causing a permanent deep impression of a swastika in his skin. The defendants used a cell phone to create a recording of the victim in which they coerced him to agree to be branded.

The defendants also admitted that they defaced the victim's body with white supremacist and anti-Native American symbols, including shaving a swastika in the back of the victim's head and using markers to write the words "KKK" and "White Power" within the lines of the swastika. The defendants further mocked the victim's heritage by drawing an ejaculating penis and testicles on the victim's back, telling him that they were drawing his "native pride feathers," all the while recording the incident on a cell phone to later play for law enforcement, as "proof" that the victim consented to their acts.

The prosecution of these defendants was the result of a cooperative effort between the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the San Juan, N.M., County District Attorney's Office. This case was investigated by the Albuquerque Division of the FBI in cooperation with the Farmington Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Ortega for the District of New Mexico and Special Litigation Counsel Gerard Hogan and Trial Attorney Fara Gold of the Civil Rights Division.

Spirit Lake Tribal Officer found Guilty of Theft

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Jan. 25, 2012, Justin Yankton, 38, of Fort Totten, N.D., was found guilty by a 12-person jury of theft and embezzlement from an Indian Tribal organization. U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson presided over the two-day trial. Yankton and Brooke Black shared a residence in Fort Totten. Brooke Black applied to receive benefits meant for the low income and poverty level homes of the reservation. In that application, Black omitted the name and income of Yankton. Because of this omission, the home qualified to receive home heating financial assistance. Justin Yankton, as the secretary/treasurer of the Spirit Lake Tribal Council, knew the household was improperly receiving fuel assistance and at times actually ordered fuel to be delivered under Black's account. The incidents occurred from October 2008 through March 2011 on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation. The charge carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Black, 29, an employee with the Food Distribution Program, pleaded guilty on Jan. 26, 2012, to a charge of theft and embezzlement from an Indian Tribal organization.

Youth, school activities highlights –

Education watch on the Lake Traverse Reservation

Scores: Lady Wambdi Jan. 23rd

Submitted by Sheila Mendenhall

LADY WAMBDI~ 1/23/2012

Tiospa Zina 60

Britton-Hecla 57

Non-conference at Britton

BRITTON-HECLA: Morgan Storley 2 6-6 10, Shelby Elsen 8 7-9 23, Arie Meyer 1 2-2 4, Kassi Jones 3 1-7 7, Emily Bremmon 4 0-0 9, Erica Weitgrete 2 0-0 4. Totals 20 16-24 57.

TIOSPA ZINA: #14Cheyenne Ironheart 7 3-6 18, #5 Jacque Jackson 2 0-0 6, Nicole Pratt 7 13-15 28, #32Sherissa Crawford 0 0-0 0, #Samantha Heminger 2 0-0 5, #12 Jordee Appaney 1 0-0 3. Totals 19 16-21 60.

Britton-Hecla (3-8)

14 27 41 57

Tiospa Zina (9-2)

12 23 47 60

3-point field goals - Bremmon, Ironheart, Pratt, Jackson 2, Heminger, Appaney.

Fouled out - Bremmon, Crawford. Total fouls - Britton-Hecla 15; Tiospa Zina 20.

Rebounds - Britton-Hecla 39 (Jones 14, Elsen 12).

Turnovers - Britton-Hecla 11.

B Game - Britton-Hecla 30-28.

ESDS announces second quarter awards

Congratulations to the following students for PERFECT ATTENDANCE during the 2nd Quarter:

Jourdes Chanku

Stacia Redday

Juan Rios

Raelon Grant

Maclovio Rios

Vinnie Davies

Shanna Johnson

Dontevey Rouillard

Louis Barbosa

Tawnie Davies

JaydeanDuMarce

Jasiah RedBear

Jaelynn White

Wakanyan Inazin Bertsch

Destiny Gill

Mason Marks

Kerina Provost

Bailey Cleveland

Elijah Goodbird

Alexis Hopkins

Billy Cloud

Ronnie Godfrey

Dion Iyarpeya

Chaske Quinn

Megan Iyarpeya

Anna Pomani

Michel'le Roberts

These students had EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE (1/2 day to 1 full day absence) during the 2nd Quarter:

Joseph Barbosa

Lori LaBatte

Jahnessah Rondell

DJ Campbell

Aurora Flute

Ariana LaBelle

Satinka Bagola

Jairus Chanku

Madison Matthews

Jaque Rondell

Lee White

Destinee Bunner

Kye Chanku

Sabrina Cooper

Selena White

Jaylah Campbell

Keva White

Johnny Janisch

Alex Lufkins

Itancan Christenson

Leesa Bunner

Landyce Danley

Jimmie Sette-Frazier

Jaisey Shepherd

Alondra Perry

These students are A HONOR ROLL students for the 2nd Quarter:

Terran BearHill

Aiyana Englund

Tristin Renville

Timothy Walker

Jelaina LaBatte

Jaisey Shepherd

These students are B HONOR ROLL students for the 2rd Quarter:

Sammantha Cooper

Megan Iyarpeya

Fanci Kiukanpi

Melissa Williams

Anna Pomani

Building Native communities: Financial Skills for Families, fourth edition, Certified Instructor Training

Longmont, Colo. – Jan. 25, 2012 – First Nations Oweesta Corporation has announced that the next Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families, fourth edition, Certified Instructor Training is being sponsored in part by the Administration for Native American (ANA) Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) grant.

This training will offer a three-day, state-of-the-art instructor training and certification program to help Native CDFIs, tribes and other Native organizations establish and sustain financial education programs in their communities.

This training will be March 27-29, 2012 at the Hilton Garden Inn Denver, Colorado.

Applications are being accepted until Monday February 27, 2012.

The three day training will address:

• An introduction to the Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families curriculum;

• Effective training techniques and resources; and

• Financial education program design and implementation.

Upon completion of the training, participants will be prepared to successfully pass the Building Native Communities certification exam to become certified financial education trainers.

There will be a cost of $75 per individual to attend the training; and participants are responsible for their own travel costs. Applicants must agree to send at least two and up to four participants.

To apply, go online to http://www.oweesta.org/node/495

For additional information please contact Jaci Ree – jaci@oweesta.org/.

Tax strategies in a tough economy

By Jason Alderman

For most of us, income tax calculations don't change much from year to year. But thanks to the roller coaster economy of the past few years, many people have undergone major life changes that can have a significant impact – good or bad – on their taxable income and how they should file taxes.

Even though April 17 (this year's tax-filing deadline) is a ways off, it's never too soon to start planning your strategy, particularly if you experienced financial hardships in 2011 that could affect your taxes. The IRS has a handy guide called "The What Ifs of an Economic Downturn" (search www.irs.gov) that reviews the tax impacts of different scenarios such as job loss, debt forgiveness or tapping a retirement fund.

Here's a roundup of common economic challenges you may be facing and their possible tax implications:

You lost your job. Remember that unemployment benefits, severance pay and payout of accumulated vacation or sick leave are all considered taxable income, so if you didn't have taxes withheld from these payments, be prepared for a potentially nasty tax bill.

If you withdrew money from your regular IRA or 401(k) account to cover expenses, you'll owe income tax on the amount, plus an additional 10 percent penalty unless you're over age 59 ½ or meet special circumstances. Also, outstanding 401(k) loans must be repaid (usually within 60 to 90 days of termination) or they'll be counted taxable income – plus be subject to the same 10 percent penalty.

The good news is that many public assistance benefits such as welfare, food stamps and disaster relief payments don't count toward taxable income. Read the IRS's "Tax Impact of Job Loss" for details (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4128.pdf).

Lowered income. If you took a big pay cut or lost your job in 2011, it might lower your adjusted gross income (AGI) enough to qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is a "refundable" tax credit, which means that if you owe less in income tax than your eligible credit, you'll not only pay no tax, but actually get a refund for the difference. To learn more, search EITC at www.irs.gov.

Forgiven debt. Many people don't realize that when you borrow money from a bank or other commercial lender and the lender "forgives" the debt, you generally must count the forgiven amount as taxable income.

There are several exceptions to the rule, however: For example, the Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude up to $2 million in forgiven mortgage debt ($1 million if married filing separately) on their principal residence if it came through mortgage restructuring, foreclosure or a short sale. The mortgage exclusion is set to expire at the end of 2012 unless Congress intervenes.

Other exceptions include: Debts discharged through bankruptcy; or, if you are insolvent when the debt is cancelled, some or all of it may not be taxable. (Insolvency means your total debts are greater than the fair market value of your total assets.) For more information, search for Mortgage Debt Forgiveness at www.irs.gov.

Taxes are the last thing you want to worry about when facing financial hardships. Just be sure you're prepared for the possible tax implications if your income or debt situation has changed in the past year.

*****

Jason Alderman directs Visa's financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney/.

Garden Corner

Submitted by Eric Hanssen

Browns Valley, Minnesota

Cactus Part 1 of 4:

Cacti are relatively easy to grow. Most will tolerate neglect but thrive when given good care. These plants are well-adapted to the dry conditions found in the home. Cacti vary tremendously in size, color, shape and flowering habit. There may be one to two thousand different species of cacti. Most cacti live in desert habitats, but some types can also be found in jungles. Most cacti are native to the Americas. They may grow as upright columns, as spreading clumps, limited only by the size of their container, as hanging baskets or as thorny ornamental balls. Most cacti grow slowly to moderately as houseplants, usually only a few inches a year. They can live for many years. Most cacti lack leaves. The stem is fleshy or succulent. These features allow the plant to withstand periods of drought, a common occurrence in the habitats where cacti grow. Cacti exhibit beauty in their symmetry of form as well as in their brightly colored flowers.

Problems:

In the home, plant diseases are rarely a problem. Too much water plus insects and mites are the main problems. Root and stem rots usually result from a soil mix that does not drain quickly or overly frequent watering. Aphids, spider mites and mealy bugs are the major pests of cacti. Check new plants carefully for pests before purchase. Houseplant insecticide sprays or insecticidal soaps can be used for control. Make sure that the spray you use is labeled for cacti and follow label directions carefully. Scale can also occur and is more difficult to control. You may be able to hand-pick off a light infestation, but you might have to discard the plant if it is heavily infested.

Arid Climate Cacti: When most people think of cacti, this type usually comes to mind. Adapted to living in desert conditions, these cacti are often heavily armed with spines. While many have beautiful and delicate flowers, they are mainly grown for their unusual shapes, colors and textures.

Culture of Arid Climate Cacti:

Watering properly is the most important factor in growing cacti successfully. Their soil must be very well-drained. During the growing season from March to September, cacti will grow rapidly. Water them as any other houseplant that prefers to dry slightly between waterings. In winter, while the plants are dormant, they should be allowed to get very dry between waterings. Water them just enough to keep them from shriveling. Usually this will mean a light watering every few weeks. The plant must never be permitted to stand in water. Waterlogged soil will quickly lead to rotting of the roots. Arid climate cacti need bright sunlight. Windows facing south or west where they will receive direct sunlight for several hours each day are ideal. Artificial light may be necessary to supplement natural light.

Continued next week in part 2.

This article written by Karen Russ, HGIC Horticulture Specialist, and Al Pertuit, Extension Floriculture Specialist, Clemson University, available online at http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/indoor/foliage/hgic1502.html.

Legal Notices –

There are no legal notices published in this week's edition.

Trading Post ads

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate

Job Openings

The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe is seeking to fill the following positions:

Diabetes Prevention Project Coordinator, Health & Fitness Program

Special Needs/Mental Health Manager, Head Start

Teacher Aide/Rover, Head Start

Teacher, Early Head Start

Cook, Head Start

Lead Teacher/Supervisor, DNGE Day Care

Protective Service Worker, Child Protection Program

Intergovernmental Case Specialist II, Office of Child Support Enforcement

Child Care Worker, DNGE Day Care

Closing date: February 10, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

Lead Teacher, Head Start

AA degree required in Early Childhood or related field. $12.00 per hour starting wage

Open Until Filled.

All interested applicants may obtain application and job description information at the Human Resource Department of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. You may contact Arnold Williams at (605) 698-3911 ext. 112.

Job Openings

The Agency Village C-Store is seeking to fill the following positions:

Two part-time evening cashiers

Closing date: February 10, 2012 at 12 p.m.

High school diploma required. $8.00 per hour starting wage.

Open Until Filled.

Applicants may obtain application at the Agency Village C-store.

Coteau des Prairies Hospital and Clinic

Job Vacancy

Medical Records Clerk

Medical Records Clerk - This is a fulltime position. Preparing and filing birth certificates. Preparing new patient charts. Maintains filing of medical records. Release of medical information. Prepares a variety of reports for manager. Proficient typist and/or medical transcription background. Scanning medical records. Assists other staff with assigned duties as necessary.

A high school diploma or equivalent one year of general medical clerical experience. Experience preferably in a healthcare setting.

If interested, please complete a Job Application. You may stop in to complete a job application or download an application from www.cdphospital.com Any questions please call Shelley in Human Resources at 698-4651 or e-mail cdphr@cdphospital.com/.

4-2tc

Coteau des Prairies Hospital and Clinic

Insurance Specialist

This is a full-time position M-F and must also be available to work rotating weekends (every 5th weekend). The incumbent in this position is responsible for processing insurance claims for commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or government assisted programs. This position also provides assistance with a variety of business office support duties including patient registration, answering telephone inquiries, greeting and directing patients and visitors, accounts payable/receivable, billing, mail handling, and other support requests as needed. Must be willing to cross-train and provide backup support to all areas of the business office. Requires a high school education with additional education in business or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Requires at least one year clerical and/or customer service experience and previous experience in medical claim processing.

If interested, submit a cover letter and resume/application to: Shelley Marmon, Director Human Resources, 205 Orchard Drive, Sisseton, SD 57262; cdphr@cdphospital.com/. Go to www.cdphospital.com to download and print application.

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Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel

Job Openings

Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel is seeking to fill the following position(s):

Food service: Dishwasher (2 full-time). General function: To collect, clean and wash dishes. Clean pots and pans. Assist wait staff if tables need bussing in a friendly, helpful and courteous manner. Requirements: Must be licensable by DNGE Non-Gaming. Operate and clean kitchen equipment, dishwasher, meat slicer and mixer. Stooping, bending, standing for long periods of time, or lifting up to 50 lbs. Must abide by Food Service expectations per facility. Required to rotate shifts, work holidays and weekends.

This position will close on February 1, 2012 at 4 p.m.

Indian Preference will apply/EEO.

Contact the Human Resources Department for complete job descriptions at 1-800-658-4717 ext. 1652.

If interested please fill out an application and submit to: Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel, Human Resources Department, 16415 Sioux Conifer Road, Watertown, SD 57201.

Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel

Job Openings

Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel is seeking to fill the following position(s):

Security: Security Officer (1 full-time) rotating shifts. General function: The security officer protects company assets and provides a safe environment for customers and employees. Exhibit a friendly, helpful and courteous manner when dealing with the customers and employees. Maintains security activities and performs credit transactions according to company, Tribal, State and Federal guidelines. Work closely with Casino & Hotel management. Requirements: High school diploma or GED equivalent. Must have some experience in security or law enforcement. Must have basic computer skills, knowledge in customer service, use of handheld radios, and some experience in answering phones. Ongoing training on Dakota Nation Gaming Enterprise and respective security department policy and procedures. Medical aid training in CPR and first aid. Complete departmental training program, including CPR, first aid, and TAM. Must complete 90 day probation period. Must be licensable to SWO Gaming Commission. Able to work irregular hours. Must be dependable, punctual, and experience in writing reports. Must not have a felony on their record. Must be physically fit and able to lift 40+ lbs. Must complete all security certifications within a year of hire in accordance with the Gaming Commission's rules and regulations.

This position will close on February 1, 2012 at 4 p.m.

Indian Preference will apply/EEO.

Contact the Human Resources Department for complete job descriptions at 1-800-658-4717 ext. 1652.

If interested please fill out an application and submit to: Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel, Human Resources Department, 16415 Sioux Conifer Road, Watertown, SD 57201.

Dakota Connection Casino

Job Opening

Bingo Department: Floor clerk (1) part-time, rotating/alternating shifts, swing, weekends & holidays. Ability to handle large sums of money efficiently & accurately; have excellent math skills; have excellent customer service skills; have excellent communication skills and be able to work well with others. Physical ability to stand, bend & walk for long periods of time. Will be exposed to noise and tobacco smoke. Previous money handling experience preferred. Appropriate dress code, must be at least 18 years old, must have a High School Diploma/GED and must be able to obtain a Key Gaming License.

Opening date: Thursday, January 26, 2012.

Closing date: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 @ 4:00 p.m.

Indian preference will apply/EEO Employer.

Apply with the Human Resources Department, call or write for job description. Submit application to: Human Resources Department Dakota Connection Casino, 46102 SD Hwy 10, Sisseton, SD 57262.

Dakota Connection Casino

Job Opening

Position: Administrative Assistant

Department: Administration

Qualifications:  High School Diploma/GED; Minimum of 4 years secretarial experience. Previous supervisory experience, thorough knowledge of business English, spelling, punctuation, office practices, procedures and equipment. Knowledgeable of the principles and practices of supervision, departmental functions, and organization. Proficient typing skills, proficient with computers, and experience with word processing. Excellent communication skills-both written and verbal. Able to work independently and with direction. Ability to meet and deal effectively with associates and general public. Skill in composition, types accurately with reasonable speed a variety of correspondence, reports, and other materials. Ability to perform a variety of secretarial assignments requiring considerable exercise of independent judgment. Knowledge of Indian gaming. Must be able to obtain a Key Gaming License.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Opening Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012.

Closing Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 @ 4:00 p.m.

Indian preference will apply/EEO Employer.

Apply with the Human Resources Department, call or write for job description. Submit application to: Human Resources Department Dakota Connection Casino, 46102 SD Hwy 10, Sisseton, SD 57262.