Mission lawmaker wants South Dakota to formally recognize indigenous languages

PIERRE — A legislative proposal would recognize Dakota, Lakota and Nakota as the official indigenous languages of South Dakota. 

Sen. Troy Heinert, D-Mission, introduced a bill on Friday to add the indigenous languages to the state's language law to recognize South Dakota's Native American heritage. The bill would keep English as the common language used on public documents.

The bill is a way to acknowledge the importance of indigenous languages and to show tribal communities that state elected officials take them seriously, Heinert said during leadership's weekly news conference on Friday.

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It's important to recognize the uniqueness of the nine federally recognized tribes in South Dakota, he said. Speaking indigenous languages was banned for a long time and tribal communities are losing about 700 indigenous language speakers while gaining only 200 per year in South Dakota, he said. He added, "It's not going to be long before we're out indigenous language speakers."

It was "enjoyable" to speak with new Tribal Relations Secretary David Flute in their native language during his confirmation hearing, and that's not something that often happens at the Capitol, Heinert said. He also noted that people in his home district are happy that he speaks in Lakota on the Senate floor. The state's recognition of indigenous languages could open the door to education on those languages.

"I spoke to a group of high school students the other day, and I introduced myself in Lakota and they looked at me like I was from Mars," Heinert said. "I was kinda sad in that, these are South Dakota kids."

Rep. Steven McCleerey, D-Sisseton, supports Heinert's bill because it can help young Native Americans build confidence.

"We talk about the Vikings coming over, the Norwegians coming over and that's great. This is different," McCleerey said. "They've been here, they've lived here, they're original here and that needs to be expanded."