While many schools and state and federal agencies across the country have today (Mon.) off for Columbus Day, in South Dakota they have the day off in honor of Native Americans’ Day.
Lt. Gov. Matt Michels says South Dakota is currently the only state that recognizes today as Native Americans’ Day.
Along with the State of the State and State of the Judicial System addresses at the beginning of the legislative session each year, is a State of the Tribes address.
Townships, communities and counties across South Dakota are all different and Michels says the same goes for the nine tribes in the state.
The change from Columbus Day to Native Americans’ Day in South Dakota came at the urging of Gov. George S. Mickelson in 1990 as part of his “Year of Reconciliation” efforts.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard established the Department of Tribal Relations as a cabinet-level agency within state government in 2011.
Hear more from Lt. Gov. Michels during SD Perspectivem by subscribing to the KGFX Beyond the Mic podcast through Google Play, Podbean, iTunes or Spotify.
