SC 831

                   Senate Commemoration 831
Introduced by: Senators Foster, Duhamel, Perry, Rohl, and Zikmund and Representatives Pourier, Aylward,
Emery, Moore, Muckey, and Reisch
A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION recognizing the historical significance of the
       buffalo and celebrating their return to tribal lands in this state.
   WHEREAS, the buffalo, tatanka, has long been a symbol of strength, resilience, and unity
for the Oceti Sakowin and other tribal nations of the Great Plains, providing food, shelter, and
spiritual connection to the land for millennia; and
   WHEREAS, the near extinction of the buffalo in the nineteenth century was a tragedy that
disrupted the way of life of Native communities; and
   WHEREAS, the approaching two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United
States offers a time to reflect on the nation’s shared history and to focus on healing and
renewal; and
   WHEREAS, the return of the buffalo to tribal lands in this state and across the Great Plains
is led by tribal nations, conservation organizations, and community partners working to
restore this iconic species to its rightful place on the land; and
   WHEREAS, the return of the buffalo to tribal lands also revitalizes cultural and spiritual
traditions, strengthens food sovereignty, and empowers Native communities in ways that
honor ancestral knowledge and build a sustainable future for all; and
   WHEREAS, the return of the buffalo to the plains is an important part of restoring and
protecting the natural world for future generations, while also fostering a greater
understanding of the diverse histories that define our collective journey;
   NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the One Hundred First Legislature of the
State of South Dakota, that the return of the buffalo to the Oceti Sakowin and other tribal
nations of this region is critically important for cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and
providing hope for future generations.