John Thune: “The bill I introduced, H.R. 5528, the Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place Act, would provide an authorization of $18,258,441…”

“The bill I introduced, H.R. 5528, the Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place Act, would provide an authorization of $18,258,441 for construction of the Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place near Fort Pierre, South Dakota. The building would house the Sioux Nation Tribal Supreme Court and Historical Archive and Display Center pertaining to the Sioux Nation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution facilities, and a Sioux Nation Economic Development Center. Mr. Speaker, at the suggestion of Tim Giago, publisher of Lakota Times, Governor George Mickelson, the late governor, in 1989 launched what he called the Year of Reconciliation. Governor Mickelson, through the Year of Reconciliation, called upon the State's American Indians and non-Indians to look past differences and to focus on issues where there could be agreement. The dialogue the Year of Reconciliation then led to an extension from a year to a century of reconciliation in 1991. The century of reconciliation was more than good feelings and nice words. Governor Mickelson was committed to producing tangible results, including an Indian rural health care initiative and programs fostering business development on the reservations.”