Native Language on Verge of Official Recognition in South Dakota

Finally, a positive news story involving some official government, and it happened in the United States, even if only on the state level.

The South Dakota State Senate unanimously approved a bill that provides the dialects of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota an official status as the state’s native language. 

It has yet to be signed into law, although if it does become the law, South Dakota would make history, as it would become the first of the lower, contiguous 48 states to give such recognition to a native language. 

The SB126 bill was brought to the floor by Senate Minority Leader Troy Heinert of Mission, and he called it “the most emotional piece of legislations I’ve seen in my ten years in the legislature.” 

The bill now goes to the House for consideration, and would still need to be signed into law by the Governor should it pass the House.

Native language bill passes Senate by unanimous vote by ABC - KSFY. February 12, 2019:

https://www.ksfy.com/content/news/Native-language-bill-passes-Senate-by-unanimous-vote-505748931.html?fbclid=IwAR3ZGyo-m9SZ9zNIIc-BkVCR7yMfrmH-cxSQQaT16ffNFALQlhIqwsIEL9o