PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- There are points of contention, but also opportunities for the State of South Dakota and the nine tribal nations inside its border to work more closely together.

That was one of the takeaways from Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Chairman Peter Lengkeek (lin-key).

He gave the annual State of the Tribes address this afternoon (Thursday) before a joint session of the South Dakota Legislature.

One of the areas of contention is new social studies standards for K-12 education in the state being pushed by Gov. Kristi Noem and her administration.

Chairman Lengkeek.

However, he said there are areas where tribes and the state can work together for mutual benefit.

These areas include tourism, economic development, protecting the Missouri River, and education.

He says indigenous people put the “Dakota” in South Dakota.