Recent Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC —  Senator John Thune today addressed the National Congress of American Indians' (NCAI) mid-year conference hosted in Rapid City. President Theresa Two Bulls, of the Oglala Sioux Tribe located in Pine Ridge, serves as NCAI's Secretary.

"I'm pleased to welcome the National Congress of American Indians' mid-year meeting to our great state," said Thune. "As a Senator from South Dakota, I have the privilege of representing the Great Sioux nations and through them, have become well-acquainted with the NCAI."

NCAI represents a diverse group of over 500 federally-recognized tribes throughout the country and has been instrumental in educating Indian Country's needs, as well as giving tribes a strong voice in the nation's Capitol. At today's meeting, Thune discussed his efforts to ensure the passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act currently before the Senate, as well as other pieces of legislation important to Indian Country.

"I look forward to continued coordination with the NCAI to build on past accomplishments, and to achieve even greater success for all of South Dakota's tribes," said Thune. "We must remain focused on improving the education outlook, and creating long-term economic stability for our tribes."

Thune also took a moment to recognize the achievements of two Rosebud Sioux Tribe members, Robert Moore and Clarence Wolf Guts, both of whom recently passed away. Moore, a strong advocate for improvements in tribal health care, served both as a Rosebud Sioux Councilman and as a member of the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board. Wolf Guts was a true American hero and the last surviving World War II Oglala Lakota code talker.