3/18/15

Bush Foundation names seven SD recipients

The Bush Foundation today announced its 2015 Bush Fellows, 23 leaders with records of achievement and extraordinary potential to make significant contributions in South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota and 23 Native nations that share the same geography. They include: Natalie Bergquist, Pierre; Malcom Chapman, Rapid City; Matthew Ehlman, Hermosa; Chris Francis, Madison; John Glover, Spearfish; Kevin Killer, Pine Ridge, and David Whitesock, Vermillion. As the youngest Native American ever elected to the South Dakota Legislature, and one of only two tribal members in the state's House of Representatives, Killer is entering what must be his final term with his eye on the next generation. Killer will use his fellowship to build the leadership skills he needs to inspire and amplify tribal voices in community decision-making and to provide Native communities with an asset-based approach to the future. [Sioux Falls Argus Leader]


Here is yet another reason Democrats and American Indians need to vote in midterm elections:
The Rapid City Public School Foundation has received a $178,000 grant from the Bush Foundation to help teachers foster Native cultural understanding in the classroom. The money will fund field trips for the next two summers for 18 teachers and 18 other community members to travel to cultural sites like Devil's Tower and sites on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This June, a group of 40 teachers spent a week traveling around Pine Ridge and to Devil's Tower on a "classroom on wheels" program to learn about Lakota culture. [AP, Rapid City Journal]
The Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2014 reauthorizes a preservation grant program through fiscal year 2019. Joining Senators Tester, Tim Johnson and Democratic co-sponsors including New Mexico's delegation, is Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
"Since first being signed into law, the Native Americans Languages Act has helped to preserve and revitalize Native languages and encourages both young children and adults to develop a fluency in their Native language,” Johnson said. “Across South Dakota, this vital grant funding gives the opportunity for our cherished Lakota elders to sit down with the younger generation to revive the Lakota language. The continuity of these languages strengthens Native American culture and history, and I will continue to push until this reauthorization is signed into law.” According to the National Indian Education Association, by the year 2050, there may only be 20 Native American languages remaining. The Native American Languages Act was first signed into law in 1992 and established a grant program within the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to ensure the survival of Native languages. [press release, Senator Tim Johnson ]
DFL Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has signed legislation that strengthens child protection:
In a sweeping reversal of current practice, Minnesota child protection workers can now review previous child abuse reports when considering how to respond to a new one. Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson said Tuesday that the “DHS will expedite instructions to county and tribal child protection workers on how to implement the changes and begin considering all past reports of child abuse.” [StarTribune]

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