The enrolled version added four more senators (Duhamel, Rohl, and Zikmund) and five more representatives (Pourier, Aylward, Emery, Moore, and Reisch) as sponsors to expand support for this commemoration recognizing buffalo restoration on tribal lands. This change strengthens the bill by demonstrating broader bipartisan legislative backing for the resolution.
26.1056.11 101st Legislative Session SC831 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Commemoration 831 Introduced by: Senators Foster Foster, Duhamel, Perry, Rohl, and Perry Zikmund and Representative Muckey Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. Representatives Pourier, Aylward, Emery, Moore, Muckey, and Reisch A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION recognizing the historical significance of the 1 buffalo and celebrating their return to tribal lands in this state. 2 WHEREAS, the buffalo, tatanka, has long been a symbol of strength, resilience, and unity 3 for the Oceti Sakowin and other tribal nations of the Great Plains, providing food, shelter, and 4 spiritual connection to the land for millennia; and 5 WHEREAS, the near extinction of the buffalo in the nineteenth century was a tragedy that 6 disrupted the way of life of Native communities; and 7 WHEREAS, the approaching two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United 8 States offers a time to reflect on the nation’s shared history and to focus on healing and 9 renewal; and 10 WHEREAS, the return of the buffalo to tribal lands in this state and across the Great Plains 11 is led by tribal nations, conservation organizations, and community partners working to 12 restore this iconic species to its rightful place on the land; and 13 WHEREAS, the return of the buffalo to tribal lands also revitalizes cultural and spiritual 14 traditions, strengthens food sovereignty, and empowers Native communities in ways that 15 honor ancestral knowledge and build a sustainable future for all; and 16 WHEREAS, the return of the buffalo to the plains is an important part of restoring and 17 protecting the natural world for future generations, while also fostering a greater 18 understanding of the diverse histories that define our collective journey; 19 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the One Hundred First Legislature of the 20 State of South Dakota, that the return of the buffalo to the Oceti Sakowin and other tribal 21 nations of this region is critically important for cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and 22 providing hope for future generations. 23