A piece of legislation titled the “Big Beautiful Bill" passed the House last month, and has a provision that would appropriate $40 million to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026 with the construction of a National Garden of Heroes that would feature 250 statues of “America's Heroes”. Some statues would be dedicated to Indigenous leaders, according to a previous Trump executive order, including Sitting Bull, Ira Hayes, Jim Thorpe and others. The Senate’s version was introduced today and includes language that would permanently sell 250 million acres of public lands.
On Saturday, May 31, The Children’s Memorial hosted hundreds of community members in a dedication ceremony for a sculpture that honors the nearly 50 Indigenous children who died while attending the Rapid City Indian School a hundred years ago. Community and local leaders spoke of the memorial’s significance to the local community and that it pays respects to children lost in the boarding school era.
South Dakota Tribes again face off with Governor Kristi Noem after she made disparaging comments while signing bills last week in Mitchell and Winner, SD. Tribal leaders are demanding an apology for suggesting that Tribes are safe-harboring and partnering with Mexican cartels.
