Governor Wants To Improve Tribal Relations
Air Date:01/11/2011
By Jackelyn Severin
Governor Dennis Daugaard says he wants to improve government and tribal relations in South Dakota. In his State of the State address Daugaard said he will encourage close cooperation between state and Tribal leaders.
Governor Daugaard says he plans to travel to each reservation and meet each tribal chair on their home turf. He says he wants to build real relationships with those in tribal government.
"Before we start talking about our challenges and opportunities I think we need to know eachother as people," says Daugaard, "And then I think it’ll be much easier to communicate with trust about the challenges that are faced on each reservation and those that are particular to each reservation, and the opportunities. Its not just all about challenges there’s opportunities as well."
Daugaard has elevated the Department of Tribal Relations to a cabinet level position. He says although many see this as a symbolic gesture he hopes it shows that Native American issues are important to him.
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