Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Chairman David Flute Testifies in Support of Rounds’ RESPECT Act

WASHINGTON—Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Chairman David Flute testified today at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing in support of S. 2796, the RESPECT Act, which was introduced by Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in April 2016. The RESPECT Act would repeal a number of antiquated, obsolete statutes related to the treatment of Native Americans by the federal government that are still part of current law.

Chairman Flute said in his testimony, “Senator Rounds introduced the RESPECT Act, S. 2796, to strike some of the laws which have historically disadvantaged our Indian nations and our people. For example, there are still laws on the books for the removal of our children from our homes to be sent to compulsory boarding schools run by military officers, where the mantra was ‘Kill the Indian, Save the Man.’”

“The laws concerning withholding rations, meaning food, from our people for ‘hostility’ to the United States, or truancy, should be struck from the books…Native Americans should all be fully included in America as U.S. citizens and citizens of our Native Nations, with respect for our rights to Freedom, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”  

Examples of the laws that the RESPECT Act would repeal include provisions that allow for the forced removal of Native American children from their homes to be sent to boarding schools. If their parents refused, they would be denied rations. Additionally, Native Americans can still be subject to forced labor on their reservations, as a condition of their receipt of “supplies.” To read more about the RESPECT Act, click here.

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