South Dakota tribes want a better relationship with state. Here's what else they want.

PIERRE — The tribes in South Dakota are seeking a more positive relationship with lawmakers this year after the tribes' experience with the riot boosting legislation last year.  

The state's name, Dakota, isn't only a geographic location, but it's a people who pride themselves in their strength and resolve in the changing world, Crow Creek Tribal Chairman Lester Thompson told the Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday. 

"A people who have welcomed others to their land while being expelled from their own," he said in his State of the Tribes Address. "Although our history has been complicated, we must work together as leaders of tribal nations and state government to create a better future and address shared priorities. Together, we are all Dakota strong."

Thompson called for the state and tribes to work in unison to benefit residents this year after relationships collapsed last year when the Legislature passed two riot boosting laws aimed at Keystone XL pipeline protesters without adequate time for the tribes to comment. That led to distrust and disrespect for all South Dakotans, he said. 

More:Tribal leaders plan to boycott State of the Tribes speech to Legislature

Across the Missouri River in Fort Pierre, the leaders of 10 Sioux tribes in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Montana each spoke for more than an hour in the first Great Sioux Nation Address on Thursday. The alternative speech was held in response to South Dakota legislative leaders asking Tribal Relations Secretary David Flute to give the State of the Tribes Address instead of a tribal chairman. Following that announcement, five tribal chairman announced that they wouldn't attend the State of the Tribes.

Representatives of all nine tribes in South Dakota attended the State of the Tribes Address. Some legislators attended the Great Sioux Nation Address.

During the Great Sioux Nation Address, tribal leaders called for unity between their nations. Cheyenne River Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier noted that the tribes didn't draw the state boundaries dividing them.

"Why do we have to adopt to their ways?" he asked. "We have our own way of life that's still here."

Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Chairman Donovan White called for the tribes to stop pointing fingers and start taking action together. The meth epidemic on his reservation is "devastating," Indian Health Services is "killing our people," and they have two federal employees to plow the roads on the reservation, he said. 

More:Violated: How the Indian Health Service betrays patient trust and treaties in the Great Plains

Pointing fingers doesn't honor their ancestors who were "slaughtered," White said. He called for the tribes to begin class action lawsuits for force the federal government to follow the treaties. 

"We gave up a lot, and all we're asking for is a little dignity, a little help," he said. "The days of chairmen coming here and pointing fingers are over. ... We need to go fight because our people are dying."

What tribes are focusing on in 2020

South Dakota's tribes hope legislation passes this year on Native American education, pipeline leak cleanup, tribal identification cards and repealing the Dakota Removal Act, according to Thompson.

More:South Dakota tribes making second attempt to repeal 1863 Dakota Removal Act

Education: The tribes are supportive of legislation that's expected to be filed allowing for charter schools specifically for Native American students with curriculum that incorporates the Oceti Sakowin culture to help bridge the achievement gap between Native American students and their peers in the state, Thompson said. 

Tribal IDs: Although South Dakota has been at the forefront of recognizing tribal IDs in state business, the state law about tribal IDs is restrictive, he said. Many tribal members only have a tribal ID and don't have a way to obtain multiple identification cards, he said. The tribes would like to see the state law changed to allow tribal IDs to be accepted as a form of identification in all commerce, he said. 

More:South Dakota tribes want state to require oil companies to pay for pipeline spills

Infrastructure repair: The tribes have also faced "extremely inadequate" resources to repair and restore homes, roads and other critical infrastructure after the 2019 weather disasters, and that's left families without access to emergency services, he said. He asked that the state and tribes work together to ensure that Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief and other aid to coordinated to restore infrastructure as fast as possible.

"Disasters do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries," Thompson said.

The tribal leaders touched on the Keystone XL pipeline, missing and murdered indigenous women, education, historical trauma, misconceptions about Native Americans, and the meth epidemic.

Keystone XL pipeline: All of the tribal chairmen are opposed to the Keystone XL pipeline and they said they're concerned about the impact the man camps could have on Native American women and children.

They need to protect their tribal members and send the message, "No more," Lower Brule Chairman Boyd Gourneau said to shouts of agreement from the audience. 

"I've seen too many missing persons posters. It breaks my heart," he said.

Meth epidemic: The meth epidemic is straining law enforcement, the court system and detention facilities, Gourneau said, adding, "Sometimes we're literally struggling to survive." 

This year is the 30th anniversary of South Dakota's year of reconciliation with Native Americans, but Gourneau said the state hasn't truly taken steps to dispel misconceptions about Native Americans, let alone take steps toward reconciliation.

Remove the Stain Act: Tribal chairmen also noted that its important to pass the Remove the Stain Act, which would rescind the Medals of Honor that were awarded to U.S. Army soldiers for the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre, and to rescind the 1863 Dakota Removal Act, which banished the Dakota from Minnesota to reservations in South Dakota. 

Keeping the Dakota Removal Act on the books as a law means that it's illegal for Flandreau Tribal Chairman Tony Reider to set foot in Minnesota. Repealing it would be a "great start for the healing process," Reider said.