Author: @SoDakCampaigns

From the Capital Journal, the new security fence around the Governor’s residence is slated to be completed by the end of the year. And as evidenced by what happened in Michigan, this is something that probably should have been put in a long time ago:

Progress on construction comes in the wake of a plot by anti-government vigilantes to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prior to the election on Nov. 3.

When the plan for a fence around the residence at 119 N. Washington Ave. was introduced in early August, Noem’s senior adviser Maggie Seidel said that security officials believe the need for a fence around the Governor’s mansion is “critical at this time,” but did not give specifics about the kinds of threats the governor was receiving.

Read the entire story here.

I’ve heard a number of anecdotes about people just coming up to the residence and looking in or knocking on windows – and that’s since the new one was built. For the security of the state’s Governor and their family, it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

Madison Bollweg is a self-described conservative student at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, and was recently asked to write a column about her experiences. Sad to say that as opposed to an intellectual give and take on one of our state’s campuses of higher education, her experiences seem to mirror what people are seeing across the country:

As I headed off for college, it never crossed my mind that being a conservative at a private university in South Dakota, a primarily red state, would have its struggles. I was wrong. It all began as I started working as an intern for the state party doing small jobs here and there, as well as some small speaking events.

A common question I would get was, “Where do you work?” I would respond with, “I’m an intern for the South Dakota Republican Party.” The most common response I would get back is, “How could you ever support them? They are racists and white supremacists.”

The first couple times I heard these remarks, I was in awe and completely shocked. I always thought that those people were jealous and to never let what they said get to me. Then it started to become name-calling, losing friends because of political affiliation and being known as “the conservative woman on campus.”

Read it all here.

That seems really unfortunate. But it gets worse.

Because you also get the aftermath in the comment section which at times drips with hatred and intolerance simply because of Bollweg’s political affiliation.

If people want to demand greater tolerance and understanding.. shouldn’t they be willing to give it themselves?

So is Democrat Brooke Abdallah trying to make herself look more palatable to the conservative voters of District 31 by picturing herself with a Trump sign in the background (as well as one for fellow House 31 competitor Scott Odenbach)?

Celebrating Native American Day
By Governor Kristi Noem 
October 12, 2020

Today in South Dakota, we honor the Dakota and Lakota people that contributed to South Dakota’s history, both past and present, by celebrating Native American Day.

We also acknowledge all previous Dakota and Lakota leaders that left legacies of honorable leadership and worked tirelessly on behalf of their people. The language, culture, and history left by them are valued by all of South Dakota.

Today, let’s especially recognize the Dakota and Lakota code talkers. The Dakota-Lakota language could not be broken by our enemies during World War I and II and helped save the free world from tyranny and oppression. Let’s always remember and honor the Dakota and Lakota veterans that served during these wars and their contributions to our continued freedom and liberty. During my first year as governor, I signed SB 126 to recognize the Dakota-Lakota language as our state’s official indigenous language.

I want to honor the incredible work of our tribal health professionals and recognize their dedication to helping people each and every day. In addition to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, they also work tirelessly on mental health initiatives and provide services to those challenged with substance abuse. We will be hosting our third state-tribal meth summit later this month, and our state and tribal health care professionals will continue to discuss the current fight against meth and what we can do as partners to combat this dangerous drug, together.

The second Monday of October is recognized by South Dakota as Native American Day. I remain committed, each and every day, to working with our South Dakota tribes on making our communities safer, stronger, and healthier.

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Families Helping Families
By Sen. John Thune

Every year, as a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I have the privilege of nominating a person or a family for the Angels in Adoption Award. It recognizes the outstanding contributions of the men and women – moms and dads – across the country who have chosen to adopt or foster children who are in need.

In normal times, the award winners and their families would travel to Washington to accept this recognition, and I typically have the opportunity to meet with them to hear their stories in person. I am always inspired by their journey and selflessness, often having to make big sacrifices in order to give adopted or fostered children a better future.

Although this year’s event will look a bit different as we continue to adapt to life during the coronavirus pandemic, I was nonetheless honored to nominate the Prins family, of Sioux Falls, for this year’s award. I’m looking forward to meeting with them so I can to pass along my congratulations and present their award.

Like most adoption and foster stories, the Prins family story is unique. Although they have no adopted children, Tami and Jason’s journey is just as important to the children they’ve helped throughout the years. This now-family-of-eight answered God’s call and has been a foster family for multiple children through Bethany Christian Services in Sioux Falls.

Tami and Jason are also involved with Safe Families for Children, a program that helps support parents who are experiencing a difficult time, such as homelessness or incarceration, and can even help prevent children from entering the foster care program altogether. Through Safe Families for Children, the Prinses have obtained legal guardianship of a young child in need, Cam’raya, and they have worked to maintain a relationship with her birth mother, whom they now consider family, throughout their host family experience.

“I love how the mission of Safe Families is connected to the greatest commandment, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,’ Tami Prins said. “‘This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39. Our family has been forever changed by this sweet little girl and her mom. Thank you to Safe Families for bringing us on this adventure, opening our eyes wide to the need and the hurt in our own community. Thanks to our church, friends, family, and grandparents who came along side us and supported us. To God be the Glory! God has great things in store for [Cam’raya], and we are excited to get a front seat to watching His plan unfold in her life.”

It’s an understatement to say that the Prins family’s dedication to serve and provide care has had a positive and life-changing effect, both on Cam’raya and the rest of their family. The Prinses remain involved with Safe Families for Children today, making every-day sacrifices to ensure children in transition, like Cam’raya, have a place to call home.

While 2020 has been an especially hard year, families like this one have made lives better during these tough times. I congratulate them on receiving this year’s well-deserved Angels in Adoption Award, and I appreciate everything that they, and everyone else throughout our state, do to give children a more promising tomorrow.

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HAU MITAKUYEPI, CANTE WASTE NAPE CIYUZAPELO

Guest Column By Kyle Chase, General Counsel for U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

HAU MITAKUYEPI, CANTE WASTE NAPE CIYUZAPELO (Hello my relatives, I greet you with warm heart and handshake).

This year, South Dakotans are celebrating the 30th anniversary of recognizing the second Monday in October as Native Americans’ Day. As a 30-year old-who has never known the second Monday in October to be anything different, I’m honored to share my perspective and reflections on this meaningful day.

I’m a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and a lifelong South Dakotan. I’ve grown up constantly analyzing issues from different perspectives: Indian v. non-Indian; State v. Tribal; Midwest values v. Lakota values. The two perspectives can be similar, but more often than not they are very different. When Senator Rounds asked me to write some thoughts for his column this week, I wanted to use it as an opportunity to discuss these dual perspectives I have grown up with so all South Dakotans can take a moment to deepen our understanding of our Lakota, Nakota and Dakota neighbors and appreciate what this culture contributes to our society.

I’d like to begin with what Native Americans’ Day in South Dakota is NOT. It’s not Columbus Day. It’s not an attempt to participate in the recent cancel culture fad. Columbus Day only officially became a federal holiday in 1937. Despite Columbus’ recognition on the federal calendar, South Dakota chose to be a leader in promoting our culture and, in 1990, became the very first state to proclaim the second Monday in October as Native Americans’ Day. The naming was also commemorated by proclaiming 1990 as the “Year of Reconciliation.” The Year of Reconciliation honored the tragic 100th anniversary of the Wounded Knee massacre and focused on promoting healthy relationships between the tribes and the state into the future. Twenty years later in 2010, Governor Mike Rounds renewed this tradition by proclaiming 2010 as the “Year of Unity;” a theme meant to acknowledge differences but promote working together. We all know that this pandemic has recently tested the health of these relationships. If Native Americans’ Day can remind us of just one thing, it should be to emphasize that strong and healthy relationships between the tribes and the state is just as important now as it was 30 years ago.

I also think this day is important to celebrate the culture. Since the time I was old enough to start forming coherent sentences in the English language, my Lakota UNCI (my grandmother) took every opportunity she could to teach me some basics of the Lakota language. I always looked forward to her reading me another IKTOMI (the trickster) story, or putting a heavy amount of ASANPI (milk) into my WAKALYAPI (coffee) so I could drink it with her. My most favorite memory is learning to count to ten. WANJI (1), NUMPA (2), YAMNI (3), TOPA (4) ZAPTA (5), SAKPE (6), SAKOWIN (7), SAGLOGA (8), NAPCIYUNKA (9), WIKCEMNA (10). I’m grateful that more than two decades later I still haven’t forgotten this beautiful language. While I may not speak the language fluently, pieces of the Lakota culture were instilled into me at a young age and I share these words with my friends any chance I get.

Fast forward a few years to when UNCI again guided me to my naming ceremony. Her brother—who in the traditional western culture is my great uncle, but in the Lakota culture is LALA (my grandpa)–bestowed upon me my Lakota name. In a traditional Lakota naming ceremony, I, along with my close relatives participated in an INIPI (sweat ceremony) for prayer and purification. After that, LALA led us in Lakota prayer where he gave me my name: WAMBLI TOKA NAJIN, which translates to Eagle who Stands First. My name is given spiritually with purpose, and I carry it with great pride. My family and friends who attended the ceremony then shared a traditional meal of TANIGA, (gut soup) and WASNA (dried mixed up meat). I consider my TIOSPAYE (extended family) to be very lucky to have LALA carry on these important Lakota traditions and share them with our THIWAHE (family). Each of my four siblings and my dad all have Lakota names given to us through sacred ceremony.

I’m proud to share these stories and hope they provide a deeper understanding of the Native American culture that exists all around us, here on the plains of South Dakota. Instead of just enjoying the day off—I encourage you to take a moment on Native Americans’ Day to learn something new about the culture or to reach out to a friend who may have a story of their own.

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From Heroin to Hope
By Rep. Dusty Johnson 

We all know 2020 has been a year filled with adversity. While the majority of this year has been tough for most, it’s not been all bad. I was reminded of the good still happening in this world last week when I overheard my wife talking about the story of Mitchell resident, Samantha Schaefer.

For years, Samantha was addicted to drugs and spent time in and out of jail. During her last stint in jail, she was interviewed by Detective Joel Reinesch. Samantha was withdrawing from meth and heroin, hadn’t showered in days, and frankly didn’t care much to talk to the detective. All she wanted from him was a cigarette.

She never got that cigarette. Instead, she found Jesus in jail and never looked back – she got a new life. Samantha told herself when she got out of jail, she would focus on giving back to the community that helped her sober up and get her life on track.

At thirty-five years old, newly sober, and fresh out of jail, Samantha stepped foot in a classroom. She received an associate degree in human services, but quickly decided she wanted to take her education to the next level. She enrolled at Dakota Wesleyan University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Would you believe me if I told you on her first day she was assigned an advisor and that advisor turned out to be none other than the detective that processed her jail paper work years prior? Samantha said both her and Detective Reinesch felt awkward at first. She credits God’s grace and ability to change hearts and minds for where their friendship is today.

When I asked Detective Reinesch what he thought about her story, he responded with this:

“We all have either been personally touched by addiction or have known someone or a family that has. As a police officer, I saw it daily and saw how debilitating it can be on the individual, but especially their family as well. I’m in awe of Sam’s journey and the strength she has shown through all of this and continues to show today. The pride you could see in her eyes, on her face and in her voice when she received her diploma from Dakota Wesleyan was immeasurable.

“Addicts fight that addiction every single day. She did it as a single mother to two, working to pay the bills to provide for them on top of attending college full-time with students half her age. She had every reason to throw in the towel and give in. Instead, she showed up every single day, turned in every single assignment and never once offered excuses when things got hard or uncomfortable and finished as an Honor Graduate. I saw Sam at her lowest of lows and am incredibly blessed to see her at the best of her best.”

Samantha walked across the graduation stage this year – and Detective Reinesch presented her with her academic hood. She credits him for playing a significant role in her development and success at DWU.

Like Detective Reinesch said, her belief and determination are a blueprint forward for all of us. I hope her story reminds you good things are happening, even in 2020.

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An Update on South Dakota’s COVID-19 Response
By Governor Kristi Noem 

I always knew that South Dakota could be an example to the nation; I never expected that such an example would be set in the midst of a global pandemic. But the work that South Dakota did wasn’t just me. It was our team at the Department of Health, the countless medical professionals across our state, teachers, law enforcement officers, grocers, small business owners, moms, dads, grandparents, you name it.

It was each and every South Dakotan who stepped up and made our approach work.

Recently, a prominent national reporter sent me a note that said: “Governor, if you hadn’t stood against lockdowns, we’d have no proof of just how useless they really have been.” Given that many in the mainstream media have been attacking South Dakota for respecting our people’s freedom and personal responsibility, this note was incredibly encouraging. It was also a shout out to the incredible work that each and every one of you have done.

This past week, the state legislature briefly met to discuss how we can best utilize the money that the federal government sent us to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have spent countless hours on the phone and in DC asking for flexibility in how South Dakota can spend this money. But the Department of Treasury tells us that it can only be used to cover costs – very specific costs. I appreciate the legislature’s hard work. The proposal that they put together is reasonable and gives us the flexibility to help as many of our citizens as we can within the Department of Treasury’s parameters.

To date, we’ve allocated funding for state and local governments to respond to the virus.

Tourism, the number two industry in the state, has taken a tremendous hit. But Treasury says we can use this money on tourism efforts. I think many of you have seen our ads promoting South Dakota. As a result, our state parks have been packed with visitors from across the country who want to escape their lockdowns and explore our wide-open spaces.

We set aside $75 million for K-12 schools. We launched a Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief program, which will provide up to $580 million to help small businesses, community-based healthcare providers, and non-profits negatively impacted by the pandemic.

We also set aside $100 million dollars to the re-employment insurance fund, nearly $100 million dollars for state public safety and public health officials, and more than $20 million dollars for universities and technical colleges.

Together, we will get through this. Together, that’s exactly what we’re doing. It’s important that we remember, especially during difficult times, that we are stronger united, rather than divided. I believe we all have the same goal in mind – making South Dakota safer, stronger, and healthier. Let’s keep working together towards that goal.

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Governor Noem Announces Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief Program

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced the launch of the Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief Program, which will utilize up to $580 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars to assist small businesses, community-based healthcare providers, and non-profits negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together, South Dakota is rebounding from COVID-19, but some businesses and organizations took a hit from this pandemic,” said Governor Noem. “These folks are the lifeblood of our communities and economy, and it’s our turn to give back to them. I’m grateful to the legislature for stepping up and providing guidance for this program.”

There are five components of this program:

• The Small Business COVID Interruption program will provide up to $400 million to help eligible South Dakota small businesses who experienced a reduction in business as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
• The Small Business Startup program will provide up to $10 million in direct grants to recently started eligible South Dakota businesses whose growth has been impacted as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
• The Acute Care in Hospitals program will provide up to $15 million to eligible hospitals that are licensed by the state to provide acute inpatient care. Specifics can be found here.
• The Small Nonprofit COVID Interruption program will provide up to $40 million to eligible South Dakota small nonprofits who have experienced negative impact as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.
• The Community Based Healthcare Providers program will provide up to $115 million for eligible community providers who have experienced a reduction in business as a result of the pandemic. Specifics can be found here.

Eligible businesses and organizations will be able to apply for these various grants from October 13-23, 2020. For assistance, please contact our call center from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday at 605-937-7243. You can also email [email protected] or [email protected].

To learn more about the Small Business and Healthcare Provider Relief Program, visit COVID.SD.GOV.

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From my mailbox, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken is noting that according to a recent poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, his popularity is quite high at 74%:

You can read the survey with crosstabulations here, but below you can read the executive summary.

Sioux+Falls+SD+Mayoral+Memo by Pat Powers on Scribd