Tribal citizens question changes at Indian Health Service hospital
Locals voice concerns on Sioux San move
By Ernestine Chasing Hawk
Native Sun News Today Staff
nativesunnews.today
RAPID CITY – An unprecedented gathering of Native Americans living in Rapid City took place at the Mother Butler Center last week when more than 200 came to voice their opinion about the future of historic Sioux San Hospital.
A proposal to move Rapid City Indian Health Services to a location east of Rapid City to land donated by local developer Hani Shafai and a shift from Indian Health Service control to a 638 contract agreement administered by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board was the issue that brought the community together.
Tribal dignitaries with a stake in the future of Sioux San who attended included Oglala Sioux Tribe Presidential candidates Richard Zephier and Julian Bear Runner as well as newly elected Rosebud Sioux Tribal President Rodney Bordeaux.
President Bordeaux was first to take the floor and acknowledged a change in contract services at Sioux San was needed because patients referred to Rapid City Regional Hospital end up with bills they are unable to pay and voiced that he is not a fan of Indian Health Services.
Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council passed a resolution in support the effort of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board to take control of Sioux San via a 638 contract he said but no formal action was taken on the proposal to move to a new location.
Bordeaux said he visited Shepherd Hills location and did not believe it was “good place” and said that he “will not support” the move.
“I’m here to listen, I’m here to learn and I'm here to work with you,” Bordeaux said and that he would like to see the Indian Community have an opportunity to vote on the Sioux San issue.
Bordeaux also stated that RST Unified Tribal Health Board Chairman, Willy Bear Shield is no longer on tribal council, but did not specify if it affected his role on the board.
Charmaine White Face, one of the principal organizers of the meeting, versed on treaty obligations as the spokesperson for the Sioux Nation Treaty Council said, “Sioux San is located on Federal land outside of city, county and state jurisdiction.”
“If they want to do that in Alaska and Oklahoma where they have a lot of money, and don’t have treaties, where health care is the tribe’s responsibility, so be it,” she said.
“We are treaty tribes and the responsibility of our health care lies with the U.S. government,” she said and when tribes compact it takes away the responsibility of the government and shifts it to the tribes.
While the overall consensus of health care services provided at Sioux San Hospital was positive with many expressing they did not want to see services moved, others expressed support for the proposals.
“We want and need Sioux San where it is. We do not want a tribal facility,” Gloria Gene Fielder Warren said and that Sioux San “is a fortress for us.”
Wilma Fielder who worked at Sioux San for more than 30 years said, “I am totally satisfied with the care I get at Sioux San,” although the money allocated is sometimes not enough.
Richard Zephier, candidate for President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe said should he get elected he would explore including Rapid City tribal members in the decision making process of the Oglala Sioux Tribe because “what happens at Pine Ridge impacts them directly.” In regard to Sioux San Zephier said, “I would like to see it remain where it is.”
Jerrilynn Church, CEO of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board said, “I am really here to listen. I know change is scary and elicits fear and anger.”
Church said and is concerned about a lot of misinformation and misconceptions and believes it’s important that the community gets accurate information about the facts, the vision and updates regarding the proposals.
Church told the community that a meeting is planned for Oct. 24 at the Journey Museum where she will give a comprehensive presentation about the proposed move and the application to 638 contract services at the hospital.