RST Summary of affects of Federal Shut down on tribal programs

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Office of Legislative Affairs Director has compiled a summary of how the federal government shut down has affected programs the tribe depends on. As of October 8, 2025, the United States federal government remains shut down for the eighth consecutive day following Congress’s failure to approve a federal spending bill or temporary funding extension, known as a Continuing Resolution (CR). This government shutdown has created significant disruptions across the country, with wide-ranging implications for Tribal Nations, federal employees, and essential government programs that directly serve Tribal communities.

The shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on October 1, 2025, when existing federal funding expired.

The deadlock stems from deep partisan divisions between Republican leadership, including President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, and Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

As of October 7, Congress remains at a legislative impasse.

The Senate has failed multiple times to pass competing short-term funding resolutions.

The Republican-led proposal sought to fund the government until November 21, 2025, excluding

health-care subsidy extensions. The Democratic proposal tied continued government operations to provisions protecting federal health-care subsidies and child care support, which Republicans oppose.

The House of Representatives continues to align with former President Donald Trump’s position,

demanding significant cuts to discretionary domestic programs and the elimination of clean energy and immigration funding before reopening the government.

Negotiations between the White House and congressional leadership stalled late Monday night, with no clear path forward. This deadlock has created a policy vacuum affecting every major department, including Interior, Transportation, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Agriculture — all of which sustain key tribal contracts and compacted programs.

Federal Developments – October 6 and 7, 2025

October 6 (Day 6):

White House Labor Warnings: Federal agencies began formal layoff preparations (known as “RIF” notices). These would apply to programs that lack authority to continue without appropriations, a step not taken since the 2013 shutdown.

Transportation Safety Impact: The Hollywood Burbank Airport air traffic control tower was unstaffed for roughly six hours, causing flight delays and highlighting nationwide staffing shortages. FAA and TSA employees continue to work without pay, with their first missed paycheck expected October 14.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Nearly 80 percent of FCC staff were furloughed,

suspending licensing, spectrum allocation, and public safety coordination.

Economic Data Disruptions: The Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Commerce postponed major economic releases, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and employment reports, creating instability in financial markets and delaying federal cost-of-living adjustments.

Tribal Implications: Many tribal programs that depend on federal financial data for cost-

reimbursement or budget certifications are experiencing processing delays or halted approvals.

October 7 (Day 7):

OMB Back Pay Reversal: A controversial new memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) stated that furloughed federal workers may not be guaranteed back pay, contradicting prior precedent and the 2019 Back Pay Law. This decision has caused confusion among agencies and unions, potentially impacting contract and compacted tribal employees who mirror federal pay cycles.

Rural Air Service Threats: The Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which supports air travel to rural and tribal regions (including South Dakota), is expected to run out of funding as early as Sunday, October 12, risking suspended routes and limited regional travel options.

Social Security Impact: The Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed that the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) announcement will be delayed because shutdown-related data interruptions prevent inflation calculations.

Transportation Workforce Stress: The U.S. Transportation Secretary reported an increase in air traffic controller fatigue and absenteeism, citing mental and financial strain among unpaid essential workers.

 Senate Outlook: Bipartisan talks continue privately, but no framework for reopening has emerged. Lawmakers now estimate that the shutdown may extend beyond mid-October if the healthcare and budget disputes remain unresolved.

Tribal Program Operations

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Many non-essential staff are furloughed. Field offices are minimally staffed, and funding disbursements for contracts and compacts may be delayed. This affects tribal administration, law enforcement grants, and infrastructure funding.

Indian Health Service (IHS): IHS facilities remain open for essential care but are operating on

carryover funds. If the shutdown continues, medical supply orders and third-party billing

reimbursements could be disrupted, leading to shortages in clinics and pharmacies.

Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Tribal housing programs may experience processing delays in grants, payments, and federal reporting, potentially impacting renovation projects and housing assistance applications.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Funding for WIC nutrition, SNAP benefits, and tribal

school lunch programs could lapse if the shutdown extends beyond two weeks.

Education and Head Start Programs: Grant-funded tribal education services are operating on reserves and may face temporary closures if reimbursements are further delayed.

Federal Employees and Contracted Workers

More than 750,000 federal workers are currently furloughed or working without pay.

Contract employees—including tribal members serving under 638 contracts—may also face delayed compensation if federal payment processing remains suspended.

Economic and Infrastructure Consequences

Federal data used to determine inflation adjustments, social security COLAs, and tribal budget

projections are temporarily unavailable.

 If the shutdown extends into mid-October, air service reductions may isolate rural communities, increase fuel costs, and delay freight shipments critical to reservation commerce.

Grant reporting and auditing schedules tied to federal fiscal deadlines (September 30–October 31) are now disrupted, affecting compliance and close-out procedures for fiscal year 2025.

Our office will continue to bring updates as they become available. Again, we ask all members of the Sicangu Oyate to remain vigilant, to support one another during this time, and to contact our Tribal offices if you encounter difficulties accessing essential services. Together, Oyate to remain vigilant, to support one another during this time, and to contact our Tribal offices if you

encounter difficulties accessing essential services. Together, we will navigate these challenges with strength, unity, and resiliency.

Lateral Violence

According to Wikipedia and my own understanding of Lateral Violence it can be defined as: any act of hostility, criticism, or sabotage directed at a complete stranger, family member, child, peer or coworker.

The violence we experience within Indigenous communities is part of a cycle of abuse and its roots lie in factors such as: colonization, oppression, intergenerational trauma and the ongoing experiences of racism and discrimination. These traumas contribute to self-oppressing or bullying behaviors within our community. Those folks experiencing and committing lateral violence are more likely to be involved in crime.

Lateral violence – Wikipedia

According to Wikipedia and my own understanding, some aspects of lateral violence include issues such as: Power Dynamics: this occurs between peers and individuals of the same rank, though sometimes it can manifest as institutional neglect of hostile behavior, resulting in hostile work environments, homes, schools and community. Examples include but are not limited to: gossip, backbiting, eye-rolling, lying and withholding necessary information.

Peer-to-peer aggression is common, especially on reservations. There is a prevalence of toxic behavior among peers and colleagues.

Some causes often stem from personal biases including: ignorance, jealousy, rivalry, or prejudice.

Frequency of occurrence includes both isolated and sporadic incidents.

Lateral violence is common within our homes, schools, work places, communities and all across social media platforms.
Damaging remarks online often border on libel, potentially leading to legal consequences or loss of employment.
People of all ages, from students to elected officials, participate in lateral violence, particularly on reservations. Young people, including children and teenagers, are especially affected due to their often-extensive social media use and exposure to toxic behaviors, both in the home as well as in their schools and community. The negativity experienced in homes, schools, communities and online can significantly harm young people’s mental health.

Whether we are aware of it or not, as adults, we are role models and young people will imitate our actions and words.
There is a great need for adults and community members to model positive behaviors both online and in their homes and communities. Constructive conflict resolution should involve direct conversation rather than public or online instances of lateral violence.
I challenge you to post positive content on social media to help improve our environment.
Guidance and good examples from adults are crucial for children’s well-being and mental health.
I ask that you all to contribute to a healthier, more supportive environments, both in person and online, by only posting positive content on social media.
Avoid making disparaging remarks about others in person and online.
Encourage discussions about healthy conflict resolution offline and online Stop perpetuating the vicious cycle of lateral violence .
Provide guidance and positive role modeling for young people in your public and social media behavior.

https://nativehoop.org/

Rosebud receives ladder fire truck

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Volunteer Fire Department’s received a generous donation of a ladder truck from the Bel Air, Maryland fire department.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Volunteer Fire Department’s received a generous donation of a ladder truck from the Bel Air, MD fire department. Photo courtesy of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook Page.

RSTVFD sincerely appreciates the generous support from the Bel Air Fire Department, as their welcome contributions benefit not only our department, but also our entire reservation.

Bel Air crew members conducted a training session on operating the engine for our personnel. Structure gear was also donated, which is always appreciated by our fire crew.

Rosebud’s Fire Crew presented a star quilt to the members of the Bel Air department in appreciation. Photo courtesy of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook Page.

Chief Kenny Provencial and RST Council Representative Wayne Frederick hosted a tour of our beautiful land for our generous visitors and Rosebud’s Fire Crew presented a star quilt to their department in appreciation.

Geraldine Provencial prepared delicious Indian tacos for everyone. We sincerely appreciate the support from the Bel Air Fire Department, as their contributions benefit not only our department but also our entire reservation.

A view from the top of the ladder, Photo courtesy of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook Page.
Rosebud officials met with the Bel Air Fire Crew members to turn the truck over to the Rosebud team. Photo courtesy of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook Page.
RSTVFD volunteer fire fighters conducted a mock training exercise at the new Rosebud Elementary school earlier this week using our newly donated firetruck, with assistance from a Bel Air, MD fire crew. Photo courtesy of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook Page.

Tankake Ki Wotapi na Taku Icupi Kte

Local elders attended the dinner and took home a gift bundle. Pictured are (L-R) Dominic Eastman, Rosie Winters, June Elk Looks Back and Theresa Sharpfish. Photo by Carmelita Shouldis.

MISSION – Several organizations, businesses and individuals collaborated to host a healthy meal, as well as gifts of food and medicine, to honor Rosebud Sioux Tribal elders.

Tankake Ki Wotapi na Taku Icupi Kte (The elders will eat and take a gift) is an annual event held for the last 3 years. This activity is sponsored by local organizations and volunteers who organize, cook and serve a healthy meal for people aged 55+ on Rosebud’s Tribal Elder Day. Elders and family members who attended were treated to a meal of Tatanka roast, sweet potatoes, carrots, salad, wild rice dessert, tea, coffee and water. The meal was served by volunteers.

Pictured is Marilyn Cournoyer-Hogan of the Parmelee Community. Photo by Carmelita Shouldis.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe celebrates Tribal Elder Day on the 4th Friday of every May. Tribal Elder Day was initially designated an official tribal holiday in 1986, in conjunction with annual activities held to honor elders hosted by the Sicangu Elderly Concerns group. In the initial gatherings, a day of games was held for elders. Participants were then invited to Ghost Hawk Park the following day to be recognized with awards, a wacipi and a meal.

Leland Little Dog addressed the gathering of Sicangu Elders in Lakota. Photo by Carmelita Shouldis.

Consequently, on May 17th volunteers from the Sicangu Elderly Concerns group hosted the 38th annual Elder Games at the old St. Francis Indian School track. Outdoor events were held for attendees of all ages. Elder participants 50+ received awards. Events were held in both men and women categories.

All Sicangu elders who attended the dinner received a gift bundle courtesy of Lakota Made LLC, the Lakota Youth Development and the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board. Photo by Carmelita Shouldis.

All who attended the Tankake Ki Wotapi na Taku Icupi Kte also received a gift bundle sponsored by Lakota Made LLC, an herbal business located in Mankato, Minnesota and owned by Megan Bull Bear of the Milks Camp community. The gift bag included Elderberry infused honey, Arnica salve, dried corn and a special tea blend especially created for elders.

Approximately 100 people attended the Elder Dinner on May 24, 2025 at the Bishop Hare Hall in Mission, SD. Photo by Carmelita Shouldis.

The Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board provided information on measles prevention for inclusion in the gift bundles. The GPTLHB also donated food for the meal. Frozen buffalo roasts were distributed to each elder in attendance following the meal. The meat was donated by the Sicangu Food Sovereignty Initiative, the WoLakota Project and Sacred Storm. The Lakota Youth Development program of Milks Camp community also donated jars of honey. Rosebud Office Solutions provided cases of Lakota Water for the dinner.

A special thank you goes out to Foster Cournoyer Hogan, Carmelita Shouldis, Megan Bull Bear, Karen Moore, Brandon Ecoffey, Marla Bull Bear, Leland Little Dog, Ken Ladeaux, Gabbie Iron Shell, Sara Swift-Fielder, Hollis Flowers, along with all the community members and youth who volunteered their time to make this awesome event happen. Nearly 100 elders attended the dinner.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe President’s office is planning an additional activity to recognize Sicangu Elders. This gathering will happen on Friday, June 20, 2025 at the Adam Bordeaux Memorial wacipi arena, located on the Rosebud Fairgrounds. Elders who attend will be recognized with a gift. A meal will be served to all who attend. For more information call the RST President’s office at 605-747-2231.

Lakota youth compose original music for symphony orchestra

SIOUX FALLS – Sy Bordeaux, a 17-year-old Sicangu Lakota musician and composer, had his original music composition performed by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) at a recent concert.

Sy Bordeaux (pictured in center), Sicangu Lakota, on guitar at a recent event.
Photo courtesy of Natasha D. Bordeaux.

The orchestra performed Bordeaux’s original music composition titled “Anxiety” at the Beats and Beethoven Concert held over the weekend at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls. Bordeaux composed the piece when he attended the 2024 Music Composition Academy at Black Hills State University in Spearfish. 

Bordeaux was mentored by Navajo musician Michael Begay, who taught him how to create music for a string quartet. The resultant composition is an intense, heart-stopping musical journey through the “Anxiety” experience.

The orchestra also performed an original composition by Kili Cole, a 15-year-old Lakota cellist of Rapid City. Cole’s piece “Unfinished,” tells the story of the pain and hardships of the Indigenous boarding school era.

Kili Cole is a Lakota cellist. Her original music composition Unfinished was performed by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra on January 25 in Sioux Falls. Photo courtesy of Instagram

Her Unfinished took influence from an in-progress sculpture by Dale Lamphere, which will be installed in Rapid City, SD in June 2025 to commemorate the lives of Native American children lost at the Rapid City Indian Boarding School (1898-1933). The title Unfinished is in tribute to the ‘unfinished’ lives of those children.

According to a press release, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) and Music Director Delta David Gier announced complete programming for the January 25, 2025 concerts, which center earth’s changing climate and humans’ ingenuity toward, and compassion for, each other and the planet.

“We welcome this opportunity to share these rich, sonically diverse works – familiar and new – which offer hope and inspiration. Ted Wiprud is instrumental in our ongoing commitment to support young people and we feel it only right to introduce two student composers, Sy Bordeaux (Sisseton) and Kili Cole (Rapid City) who represent the future,” stated Gier.

Both of these works were written in July 2024 during the SDSO Music Composition Academy and premiered by the SDSO’s Dakota String Quartet in September 2024. With a few minor tweaks, the pieces have been adapted for performance by the full string orchestra.

“Gary Antoine (Sicangu guitarist and educator) was Sy’s music teacher,” stated Sy’s Mother Natasha D. Bordeaux. “Gary was the first to put a guitar in his hand last September, and he just excelled at it. A few months later, he is composing symphony pieces! I’m so happy he has found his purpose and his calling. He is now graduating a year early and gearing up for college.”

Bordeaux is a senior at Sisseton High School. He plans to major in music at the University of Utah and aspires to a career in music production. He plays electric guitar and bass.

Bordeaux is the son of Natasha D. Bordeaux of Sisseton, the grandson of Earl Bordeaux Jr. of Sioux Falls, Terry and Sharon Brandis of Belle Fourche, and Clarabelle Leading Cloud of White River.

UPDATED 01.28.2025 Rosebud will provide tribal identification cards to citizens

ROSEBUD – President Kathleen Wooden Knife issued a statement regarding POTUS Executive Orders signed earlier this week, including those authorizing raids to expedite deportation of undocumented immigrants.

The statement was posted on the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s social media accounts over the weekend. The tribe is currently working to authorize funds to allow tribal citizens to obtain identification cards. The statement urged tribal citizens to also obtain other valid forms of identification, including state driver licenses.

The statement reads: “On or about January 22, 2025, and upon taking the oath of office, United States President Donald Trump has issued a series of Executive Orders to order the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of State to take all necessary action to immediately repel, repatriate, and remove illegal aliens across the United States.

“The Trump administration published in the federal register a notice to expand “expedited removal,” which allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport migrants without due process; and

“The Department of Homeland Security said it was ending a policy that restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ ability to arrest undocumented people at or near so-call sensitive locations, including houses of worship, schools, and hospitals.

“Fast-tract deportations threatens U.S citizens, and that mass deportation would catch far more people that the recently unauthorized immigrants the policy purports to target, and result in the expulsion of legal permanent residents, even U.S. citizens; “Racial profiling could result in US citizens and immigrants who ordinarily wouldn’t be subject to expedited removal being deported. Expedited deportation threatens the due process rights of all US citizens, including Tribal members, and violates the US Constitution and 1868 and 1851 Treaties.

“The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Handbook for Employers M-274, recognizes that a Native American tribal or community membership document issued by a Native American Indian tribe, or an Alaskan or Aleut community, recognized by the U.S, federal government, is evidence of identity, lawful permanent residence, and citizenship of the United States. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is authorizing funds for the issuance of Tribal ID cards to all tribal members, and encourages all Tribal members to carry valid forms of identification.

“The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is in the process of assessing the legal effects of the unlawful and unconstitutional Trump administration Executive Orders, and will fiercely defend against any threat to the sovereignty of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and protect the rights of tribal members.

We will stand in unity and like our ancestors we will persevere.”

Sicangu youth voice concerns to tribal council

ROSEBUD – Tokala Inajinyo Youth Leadership staff expressed concern over the future of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative after the US President-elect is sworn into office.

In June 2021, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland established the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. Her official memorandum outlined plans for the Initiative, stating “the Department [of Interior] shall undertake an investigation of the loss of human life and the lasting consequence of residential Indian Board School. The primary goal of the investigation shall be to identify boarding school facilities and sites; the location of known and possible student burial sites located at or near school facilities; and the identities and Tribal affiliations of children interred at such locations.”

Also, S.1723/H.R. 7227: Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, was sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Warren in May 2023. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition has online resources to support the passing of this Act. If the bill doesn’t pass, advocates believe the project will come to a halt.

In October 2024, President Joe Biden offered a formal apology for the government’s role in forcing children to attend boarding schools during a visit to the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona.

Consequently, grassroots advocates believe a new President of the United States (POTUS) coming into office will definitely affect what happens with the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. The future of S.1723/H.R.7227 is uncertain. Chelsea Wilson, Senior Project Manager for the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, is working with tribes and organizations to ensure the research gathered over the past 3 years is safely preserved and maintained.

The Tokala Inajinyo Youth Leadership group met with Wilson recently to discuss the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative research, which is hosted online under Secretary Haaland’s office. There is a possibility when the new POTUS takes office, the information could be removed from the website. Another meeting with Wilson is planned. The group invited the tribal council members to attend this meeting.

The group also requested the tribal council approve a letter of support from the Tokala Inajinyo Youth Leadership program for the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe regarding the recent discovery of the 38 unmarked graves. They also urged the RST President and tribal council to write their own statement of support for Crow Creek.

The Tokala Inajinyo Youth Leadership program was instrumental in overseeing the 2021 return and reinterment of the remains of 9 Sicangu Lakota children who died after being sent to Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania during 1879-1918.

Moore seated as SGU President

Dr. Erica Moore is the new President of Sinte Gleska University. Photo courtesy of SGU.

ANTELOPE LAKE CAMPUS – The Sinte Gleska University Board of Regents have named Dr. Erica Moore as President, two years after the passing of longtime President Dr. Lionel Bordeaux.

Dr. Moore is Boriken Taino (Indigenous Caribbean/Puerto Rico). She was born and raised in New Jersey, has lived in Mississippi, Idaho and has resided in South Dakota for the last decade.

Moore most recently served as the Vice President of Indigenous Institutional Transformation for the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), where she oversaw student success initiatives and advocated and protected data and tribal sovereignty within research.

Previously, Dr. Moore served as the Chief Academic Officer at the Lower Brule Community College. She also served as Director of American Indian Student Center at South Dakota State University. Dr. Moore has a combined 15 years of academic affairs, student affairs and administration experience.

Sinte Gleska University also has four vice-presidents (VP) in the organization. They include Collette Keith, Executive VP, Cheryl Medearis, Academic Affairs VP, Scott Herman, Tribal Nations/Community VP and Cheryl Whirlwind Soldier, General Administration VP.

Board of Regents members are: Mike Boltz (Chairman), Richard Lunderman (Vice-Chair), Dera Iyotte, Wayne Frederick, Jessica Two Eagle (Student Rep.), Wilma Bearshield-Robertson (Elder Rep.) and Brenda I. Farmer (Staff/Faculty Rep.).

Sinte Gleska University is one of thirty-five prestigious Tribal College and Universities (TCUs).

Sinte Gleska University serves students primarily on the Rosebud Indian reservation. For interviews and more information, contact Luti Davis, SGU Development Director, at 605-856-8100.

Pejico opens doors

MISSION – Pejico, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s medical cannabis dispensary, accepted online registrations for the first 50 patients to receive a ticket to attend an evening opening.

The online tickets sold out quickly for the November 14 event. Registration required patients to be valid RST medical cannabis card holders. A grand opening was held for all RST medical marijuana card holders on Friday, November 15 at 9am. Per RST law, the dispensary is open to persons aged 21 years or older. In addition, you must have a valid RST Medical Card to enter.

In 2022, the Rosebud Sioux Tribal council enacted the Medical Marijuana Control Ordinance (2022-04). They subsequently approved Resolution 2022-269 legalizing cannabis use within the boundaries of the Rosebud reservation for qualifying patients. In order to qualify for a medical cannabis card, patients must be 21 years old and have a prescription by a licensed physician. Many local residents visited the Online Medical Card website to make an appointment with a medical doctor.

After a telehealth visit with a licensed physician, patients receive a qualifying letter to submit with their application for a medical cannabis card. Patients are responsible for paying all fees surrounding the physician visit. A debilitating medical condition qualifies people for a cannabis prescription. For example, patients who suffer from chronic pain, cancer, terminal illnesses or other medical conditions could be eligible for a cannabis prescription. 

Rosebud Sioux Tribe cannabis possession/use restrictions apply to medical card holders as follows: (1) a person can only carry a maximum of 3 ounces at any given time, (2) you cannot drive, operate or be in actual physical control of a vehicle under the influence of marijuana, (3) you cannot knowingly deliver marijuana to another person who does not lawfully hold a valid medical card and (4) an RST medical marijuana card will not always exempt an employee from submitting to drug testing. Drug testing policies and procedures are at the discretion of the employer.

Local residents noticed the signage upgrade at the Pejico medical cannabis dispensary now open in Mission SD. The building was formerly Stadium Sports. Photo by Vi Waln.

Pejico is located in the former Stadium Sports building in Mission on highway 18, just east of Subway. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 12-9pm and Sunday 12-6pm. The dispensary accepts cash payments only. A social media post over the weekend advertised Pejico’s Happy Hour from 4:20pm-5:20pm with a 10% off products. The dispensary currently offers only flower products.

The RST Cannabis Commission is the regulatory body of the Medical Marijuana Control Ordinance. Currently, the Commission has authorized REDCO (Sicangu Co.) to grow and sell medical marijuana. No other licenses are being issued at this time. RST Cannabis Commission members include Jonathan Odegard, Shakira Rattling Leaf, Deanna Haukaas, Anthony Bordeaux and Shastri Schoon.

Interested persons can apply for an RST Medical Marijuana Card through the Legislative Affairs office located in the tribal annex building in Rosebud, SD. For more information call 605-747-3185.

Pipestone Quarry threatened

PIPESTONE, Minn. – A rock quarry where Indigenous people from across the continent harvest red stone to make ceremonial pipe bowls is threatened by continued petroleum pipeline development.

The existing Magellan pipeline supplied gas to consumers in Minnesota before the permit expired in 2022. The pipeline is owned by ONEOK, a company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

A new permit was issued to the Magellan company recently. The permit includes a new re-route which bypasses the sacred site. However, Indigenous activists believe the route is still too close to the quarry of catlinite. The permit requires cultural surveys to be completed before the new route is constructed.

The Red Stone Movement, a collaboration of grassroots organizations and tribal governments, issued a statement recently calling for action to defend the sacred pipestone site. Indigenous people were asked to submit comments opposing the continued development of the Magellan Pipeline route.

The statement also outlines the danger to the site due to the Magellan pipeline, which is owned by ONEOK, a company which manages 50,000 miles of various energy pipelines. “Your water and your land is [sic] under attack due to ongoing extraction and pollution damage” caused by the pipeline. Supporters were asked to submit a letter of opposition to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by November 11.

The Pipestone National Monument is an area sacred to countless Indigenous people. It is the only place on Earth where catlinite, which is a brownish-red soft stone, can be found. Indigenous people make regular pilgrimage to harvest the red stone. A permit is required to mine the red stone. Permits are issued by the day, week, month or annual basis and are limited to enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribes. There is no charge to apply, but permit holders must supply their own tools.

Officials of the Pipestone National Monument must consult with 23 tribal nations when considering development on or adjacent to the sacred site. Those tribes are Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes, Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota, Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation, Oglala Lakota Nation and the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.

Also, the Otoe-Missouria Tribe, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, Prairie Island Indian Community, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Santee Sioux Tribe, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, Spirit Lake Dakota Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Upper Sioux Indian Community and the Yankton Sioux Tribe.

A meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 25, 2024 at a time and location to be determined in Fort Thompson, South Dakota on the Crow Creek Sioux reservation. Follow the Brave Heart Society Facebook page for final details regarding the meeting.