Oceti Sakowin school dismissed by SD state House committee

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota House lawmakers have dismissed a proposal to fund two new schools structured around Oceti Sakowin language and culture. It deals 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 Wednesday (March 2, 2022) on a 4-8 vote. The proposal 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. However, organizations representing school districts opposed the bill. They say that language immersion schools are already happening.