Oceti Sakowin school dismissed

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota House lawmakers on Wednesday dismissed a proposal to fund two new schools structured around Oceti Sakowin language and culture, dealing a blow to Native American educators who have tried for years to get state support to rethink schooling in their communities.

The Republican-controlled House Education committee rejected the bill on a 4-8 vote, all but killing the proposal that had already passed the Senate. It was the third year that Lakota lawmakers have brought the idea to fund the community-based schools through the state's public school system, and the second time the House committee has rejected it.

Democratic Sen. Troy Heinert, who is leaving the Legislature after this year, has spearheaded the proposals, arguing that it would address low education proficiency levels, high dropout rates and high rates of suicide among Indigenous youth.

https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/oceti-sakowin-school-dismissed-in-south-dakota