The amendment added four additional legislators as sponsors (Senators Duhamel and Perry, Representatives Emery, Moore, Muckey, Pourier, and Wittman) and fixed a formatting error by correcting "non-21 tribal" to "non-tribal," with no change to the commemoration's substance or purpose.
26.998.9 101st Legislative Session SC816 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Commemoration 816 Introduced by: Senator Foster Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. Senators Foster, Duhamel, and Perry and Representatives Emery, Moore, Muckey, Pourier, and Wittman A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION celebrating Generations Indigenous Ways and 1 its impact. 2 WHEREAS, Generations Indigenous Ways is a community-based Native nonprofit 3 organization located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, dedicated to empowering American 4 Indian youth by blending Lakota cultural knowledge with science, technology, engineering, 5 and mathematics education through indigenous sciences; and 6 WHEREAS, Generations Indigenous Ways provides year-round programming, including 7 seasonal indigenous science camps, afterschool activities, community science seminars, and 8 food sustainability initiatives, which foster leadership, cultural pride, environmental 9 stewardship, and meaningful life skills among youth of the Seven Oceti Šakówin and beyond; 10 and 11 WHEREAS, this organization’s curriculum and activities honor Oglala Lakota values and 12 way of life, helping youth forge deep connections with their culture, the natural world, and 13 their communities; and 14 WHEREAS, by maintaining community gardens, traditional food education, food 15 sovereignty programming, elder support initiatives, and multi-sensory learning experiences 16 rooted in indigenous knowledge, Generations Indigenous Ways uplifts families and preserves 17 cultural traditions for future generations; and 18 WHEREAS, the work of Generations Indigenous Ways not only enriches the lives of 19 participating youth but also strengthens the cultural fabric of this state, contributing to 20 educational excellence, cultural preservation, and community wellbeing across tribal and non-21 tribal non-tribal communities alike; 22 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the One Hundred First Legislature of the 23 State of South Dakota, that Generations Indigenous Ways is to be commended for its visionary 24 26.998.9 2 SC816 Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. leadership, tireless dedication, and lasting contributions to the education, cultural continuity, 1 and empowerment of our Lakota youth. 2