ROSEBUD – Tribal voters will cast a ballot in July on whether or not the Indian Health Service hospital should be compacted under the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
The tribal council approved RST Resolution 2024-106 by a vote of eleven in favor, one opposed and one not voting at a special meeting held last month. The legislation reads in part to “authorize and direct the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Election Board to hold a non-binding referendum to determine whether or not the Rosebud Sioux Tribe should enter into a Public Law 93-638 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, to compact or contract with the Federal Government to operate, manage, directly receive federal funds and administer the Indian Health Service Rosebud Comprehensive Health Care Facility.”
A yes vote will allow the tribe to initiate, approve and enter into a Public Law 93-638 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, to compact or contract with the Federal Government to operate, manage, directly receive federal funds and administer the Indian Health Service Rosebud Comprehensive Health Care Facility.
A no vote would mean the process of compacting or contracting the operation, management and administration of the Indian Health Service Rosebud Comprehensive Health Care Facility should be suspended or terminated.
However, further discussion on the compacting issue revealed that the Sicangu Oyate Health System held a meeting in February 2024 and approved a motion to proceed with the assumption of the Indian Health Service compact. There was concern expressed about the SOHS action approving the assumption process moving forward without tribal council consent. The tribal council wants to have a clearer picture of where the compacting process is in terms of budget and planning. Thus, the tribal council also approved a motion to temporarily suspend the SOHS charter until further notice. The motion to temporarily suspend the SOHS charter was approved by a vote of seven in favor, three opposed and three not voting.
The process of compacting the Rosebud hospital was approved at a May 17, 2023 council meeting through RST Resolution 2023-143. The action approved the establishment of “a chartered tribal entity, entitled the Sicangu Oyate Health System, to function as an instrumentality of the Tribe.” The tribal council subsequently approved Resolution 2023-239 which appointed a seven-member board to oversee the chartered tribal entity.
The tribal Election Board must provide notification to the public regarding the opportunity to cast a vote in the non-binding referendum election. A separate ballot will be provided to each tribal voter who goes to the polls on July 25, 2024. For more information or to register to vote in the upcoming tribal election, please call the Election Office at 605-747-3187.
Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council meetings can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@RosebudSiouxTribeOfficial
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