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Sept. 7, 2019 - Work Worth Doing - Doug Burgum

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Working Together to Improve Child Welfare Services

On the morning of September 6th, Governor Doug Burgum, leaders from four tribal nations, the Department of Human Services and the Indian Affairs Commission gathered at the capitol to sign updated comprehensive agreements - known as Title IV-E agreements - to enhance child welfare services for Native American children and families. This podcast brings you the highlights of that ceremony. Click here to read more about the agreements.

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	Welcome to Work Worth Doing.
	I'm Mark Staples.
	Today on the podcast, we're bringing you some news about updated agreements that were just signed to enhance child welfare services for Native American children and families.
	These agreements will allow four tribal nations in North Dakota to receive federal funds, known as Title IV E funds, Through the state to support an enhanced array of child welfare services, expanded subsidized adoption services, the subsidized guardianship program, and access to prevention services under the federal Family First Prevention Services Act.
	On the morning of September 6th, Governor Doug Burgum, leaders from four tribal nations, the Department of Human Services, and the Indian Affairs Commission gathered at the Capitol to bring attention to the importance of these agreements and how they will affect children and families in North Dakota.
	We're sharing the ceremony here on today's podcast.
	The program began with a welcome from Scott Davis, Executive Director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission.
	Here's Scott.
	Well, good morning everybody.
	Good day, everybody.
	Friends and relatives.
	What a wonderful morning.
	What a wonderful event to cap off.
	What an amazing week with the Tribal Leaders Summit.
	The numerous meetings that the Tribal Leaders have had here in Bismarck.
	Some of the engagement that the Governor, Lieutenant Governor has had with the Tribal Leaders here in the past number of days.
	Hall of Honor last night was an amazing event, too.
	Yeah, it's been quite the journey for this day.
	I would say it's been at least three years, if not longer, for everybody who's been involved in this process.
	When we looked at this agreement years ago, we knew it needed revisions, we knew it needed updates that would ultimately benefit our tribal children, whether they live home or off the reservation.
	And I'm very, very confident that we've achieved that.
	So a lot of people to thank today.
	Again, KC Family Programs, Native American Training Institute, Stephanie, your team, where Stephanie's at.
	A lot of people, thank you, Stephanie.
	A lot of people, and I know the governor will talk about that later here, but Certainly a long journey, and of course that legal journey as well too, but we've come to a good place here, and what a beautiful blessing here for the gathering of our nations, our leaders here today, and signing an amazing agreement.
	So with that, the leader of our state, Governor Burgum, Lieutenant Governor Stanford, First Lady, we are again very, very thankful for your travel engagement initiative and this is just maybe a big piece or a small piece, however you want to frame it, Governor, but it's certainly been an amazing journey for Team Burgum to We've moved forward on a lot of initiatives.
	You name it, I think we've been involved with that.
	A lot of talks and negotiations and agreements.
	So this is one of many and one of many to come.
	So I'm very, very thankful for Team Burgum to be the leadership on this too.
	So without further ado, please welcome Governor Doug Burgum.
	Thank you everyone.
	Thank you for being here this morning.
	Today marks another historic leap forward in state-tribal relations.
	And of course, it's a move forward, a big leap forward in terms of services for children and families from our tribal nations.
	And I can't think of anything more important than us as adults all coming together to support future generations.
	And it's been true throughout history that when Whether nations are fighting or communities are fighting or neighbors are fighting, when adults are fighting, the children are losing.
	And so this is a historic because this is a collaboration that's been a long, long time coming.
	And of course, it wouldn't be possible without the great work of a lot of people.
	And I want to lead with gratitude and I want to I want to thank all the tribal elders that are here.
	I want to thank all the past leaders that are here from the tribal nations.
	But I also want to acknowledge the tribal leaders that are leading the five tribes with which North Dakota with which we share geography today because they've formed a great partnership for Lieutenant Governor Sanford, the First Lady, Catherine, myself, Because collaboration takes partnership from two sides.
	And so let me just start out and they're all going to get a chance to say a few words today.
	They're going to get a chance to be acknowledged for their role today.
	But to my left, Jamie Azur from Turtle Mountain Band in Chippewa.
	Peggy Cavanaugh from Spirit Lake Nation.
	Mike Faith from Standing Rock Sioux.
	Mark Fox from MHA Nation.
	And we're also grateful for our partnership with Donovan White, Chairman of Sistan Wapte Yoate.
	He's joining us here appropriately as one of the five nations at which we share geography in North Dakota.
	But headquarters of Sistan Wapte is in South Dakota.
	And so Donovan would have signed an agreement similar to this in South Dakota.
	And so he's with us today, but not one of the four people that's signing.
	But Donovan, thanks for the partnership.
	Thanks for being here.
	It is, regardless of the time that it's been or the extra few minutes it took us this morning to get to the signing after 36 years, worth the wait because this is a big step that moves forward and it's 4E is the name for the section in the Social Security Act that provides funds for states and tribes to provide foster care, transitional independent living programs for children, guardianship assistance, adoption assistance for children with special needs.
	And a lot's happened in our understanding in that last 36 years and the state through that time and tribes have worked, there's been an enhanced array of child welfare services, expanded options rewriting adoption and subsidized guardianship programs.
	Also, through this, we'll offer access to prevention services under the federal Family First Prevention Services Act, which realigns federal funding to help strengthen families, protect children, and prevent the need for foster care replacements.
	And why is this important and why are we making a big deal?
	Why the big ceremony this morning?
	It's as I said at the beginning, because Collectively, there's no greater responsibility than we have than raising the next generation of our children.
	And it's true, we're all relatives and we all need to care for that next generation.
	And this historic action to update these agreements shows a strong commitment by the tribes and the state working together to improve outcomes for children and families and to build on our collaborative partnership, which is being built on understanding and mutual respect.
	And as I had an opportunity to say, I was honored to join these tribal chair leaders at the beginning of the Tribal Leaders Summit.
	And when I say honored, I truly was honored to be there on the stage with them and help kick off this incredible week of meeting and collaboration.
	But we have a special time and this is a special opportunity.
	Lieutenant Governor and the First Lady and I understand that, as does our whole administration, that we've got an opportunity to collaborate more deeply than ever before on issues of mutual importance that span every aspect of what we do, from education to health care, game and fish, recreation, tourism, agriculture, energy.
	You name it, we have got an opportunity to work on things together, because tribal issues are North Dakota issues, and North Dakota issues are tribal issues.
	Our cabinet agencies, leaders like Scott Davis, Chris Jones, who's sitting next to me, who you hear from, we're engaging, everyone in our administration, engaging with tribal partners more than before, and we've got so much more to do, including important topics like infrastructure.
	And also together with our tribal partners in the state of North Dakota, we can form a stronger front when we're dealing with the federal government because both the state and the tribes are often influenced, sometimes negatively, by programs in the federal government.
	And if we stand together, we can have a louder voice in moving federal control back to state control and back to tribal sovereignty.
	So we share those desires as we work together.
	And this true government-to-government partnership is working because we're putting in time and intentionality and commitment.
	So collaboration and partnership aren't just words to us.
	We're not just going into meetings to check a box.
	We're doing these to work, to build relationships, to actually get things done for the people of North Dakota.
	And again, in January, I want to invite all of you.
	Again, we're having our third government-to-government Sovereign Nation to Sovereign Nation Conference where we get federal partners, state partners, tribal leaders, everyone coming together where we can work together to empower people and improve lives and inspire success.
	The Governor welcomed Chairman Jamie Asher of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians to sign the updated agreement.
	So in the Turtle Mountains, we have a little gift-giving ceremony where if we feel that people that aren't part of our tribe go above and beyond and do extraordinary things for the betterment of our people, we like to present a little gift, and these don't come lightly in the Turtle Mountains.
	We don't give them out very often, and I think today is a perfect time to bring this forward in the State Capitol with this historic agreement being signed.
	So with that, I'd like to call up Don Schmidt and Jack Trope.
	And Don Schmidt, we present this blanket and this willow basket that's made by a tribal elder in the Turtle Mountains, handmade, filled with ceremonial gifts and medicines, for the commitment to the tribes of North Dakota to strengthen the relationship between the tribal nations and the state.
	Thank you, Mr. Schmidt.
	Jack Trope, for his endless hours of dedication to this agreement.
	Without these two individuals, we would not be here today.
	And we also want to thank the Casey family for all their hard work and technical assistance to make this agreement a reality.
	And everybody that's in the audience here today, thank you for every little piece that you helped put together to make this day come into fruition.
	So thank you gentlemen.
	It's our honor to also do a little gift giving.
	And we've got a very special for this occasion, this crafted award which represents, as you can see, in the shape of a tree, which represents life in the deep roots.
	but it also represents five individuals Thank you.
	I guess alphabetical order, you get the first one.
	But anyway, we say thank you to you.
	And on behalf of the grateful state of North Dakota, thank you for your leadership and thanks to everyone. - Next up, Chairman Mark Fox of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Rickeraw Nation thank you for your leadership and thanks to everyone. - Next up, Chairman Here's Chairman Mark Fox.
	First of all, you know, I want to commend everybody that's here, and thank you for the words shared by the governor very much, and it's an honor to represent our nation as chairman.
	My name is Mark Fox.
	My name in Hidatsa, and in Rikra, we say, which means sage or sage man.
	And so it's an honor to be able to stand here and be part of such a significant event and a collaboration with the state, again, making huge strides to work together.
	But, you know, this gentleman to my right, from the flags that now stand in this hallway, because the decisions that he made to prioritize the relationship and working with tribes, is significant.
	It's something that we all dreamed of, and we've all set goals to happen, and he's done that.
	And time and time again, we may not always agree.
	In fact, in point, we sometimes disagree a lot.
	But the point is, is we're at the table and we're talking.
	And when we talk, it isn't just a few minutes.
	We talk for hours.
	And each nation has had that ability to do that.
	And it's only through collaboration and discussion and dialogue that you can make some changes, because if you're not talking, you can't make changes.
	And so I want to give the Governor a round of applause, please.
	Thank you.
	I don't want to take up a lot of time, we have other speakers here, but I am very positive of something very critical to my nation.
	And it's something that keeps me up at night.
	It's something that my new little toy for the last four months here, my Fitbit, tells me I only average four and a half hours of sleep per night on.
	And this concept here that is very difficult to reconcile in my heart and my head is what I call the multiplier effect.
	How do you help your people knowing full well that with each generation, until you heal our people, until things, not me, but until we figure a way to live our lives better and we can figure our way through everything that has happened to us in the last 150 years.
	Until we figure a way to improve our lives, until we figure a way to deal with this social economic poverty that we are experiencing that is devastating us in many, many different ways, until that happens, And what's occurring is what we call the multiplier effect.
	Dysfunctionalism, children, they absorb those dysfunctional problems and characteristics and they have children.
	It's the multiplier effect that is constant.
	That means that the problem is growing, not diminishing.
	And you see that all across Indian country.
	And then you take what little resources you have now that are not adequate today, and you know full well tomorrow that it's going to be even less impacting because there's going to be more under the multiplier effect.
	But I do know one thing, that the only way that we are going to change our nations, are we going to improve the standard of living for our people, that we're going to heal as a people, that we're going to regain what we once had economically, socially, Is that if we focus what resources we have, we collaborate and we join resources and forces with other governmental agencies to focus on the young.
	The young, the children.
	And that's the only way that we're going to ever change the multiplier effect.
	And so you'll see us trying our best to do that.
	And I think this represents that.
	I think the signing today represents that, is reaching out to our children.
	And with our children, we give them opportunities and we take care of them, that in time, that multiplier effect will be diminished and we'll be a nation as we were meant to be again.
	And so I want to commend everybody here.
	Thank you for listening to me for a few words and what have you.
	But, you know, it's an effort between governments, the State of North Dakota, and each of our tribal nations, and the respect granted to us.
	So I say, "Mazgiraz" and "Goshtay", thank you for letting us have this opportunity to sit down and continue to work hard together for the sake of our children and of our nations.
	Thank you very much.
	Chairman Mike Faith signed the updated agreement and shared how it will affect the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
	Here's Chairman Mike Faith.
	First of all, Wopala Tanka, big thanks for the prayer this morning.
	In a good way, that's a good way to start the day for all of us.
	And for the drum group, appreciate them always.
	Governor, Lieutenant Governor, First Lady, State Representative, Buffalo.
	Good morning.
	Hit me up, Tatanka Akuchita.
	Buffalo soldier, Standing Rock.
	Chairman, Faith.
	Coming to a common ground for the future of our young ones and betterment of our young ones, that's what we need to look forward to.
	You know, addiction has been mentioned here.
	Battling that, everybody has to work together.
	It's all over.
	And again, the drug issues, the alcohol, other addictions, Until we work together to combat, it's going to continue to grow that addiction.
	And the people that are selling, providing it, they know that, so they find ways to get it.
	And educating our people is the best way and getting them healthy.
	So again, I just say this, is that our Future belongs to the youth.
	MOUs, MOAs, mutual aid agreements, we have a lot of those in place.
	And I'll speak for Standing Rock.
	Right now, Sioux County Sheriff Lundy's Has the authority to cross-deputize the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which he does.
	Judicial, if there's a gap there, that covers it.
	Now the Bureau of Indian Affairs turns around and makes a mutual aid agreement with the Standing Rock Game and Fish and our Emergency Management Team.
	So again, helping there, we do have what you call a multi-hazard mitigation plan that all resources come together in a time of need, time of emergency.
	Well, it depends on what kind of emergency you're looking at, but the resources there to come together And I think gapping that differences of opinions, political boundaries, coming together in a good way is what we have to look at.
	If not, the young ones get hurt.
	So again, the bottom line on this day to me is the Casey family.
	And again, keep in mind that it's a challenge, but remember the 4E To us is a good way to do the third party billing, but yet we got a service.
	We get reimbursed for that.
	So it's a win-win for the tribes, but we have acts that are happening up on the hill in D.C. where you have politicians up there not looking at the Northern Plains Or the states as their needs.
	And the tribes as their needs.
	So they want to fix something, but they're actually making it worse out here.
	And think about the Takoja's grandchildren.
	The ones yet to come.
	Think about the future.
	Lots of times people want to think about themselves and the now.
	Let's look out into the future and see what we can and how we can help them young ones have a better way of life within our jurisdiction.
	Thank you.
	Chairwoman Peggy Cavanaugh of the Spirit Lake Nation shared how this will affect children and families in her community.
	Here's Chairwoman Cavanaugh.
	I'm very humbled and honored to be able to sign in behalf of our tribes Prior leadership and administration under Chairwoman Myra Pearson.
	She is in her administration and her staff and all of the state of North Dakota team that helped to make this become a reality.
	And with myself being a new leadership, it's an honor to be able to sign in her behalf.
	Of all the work she did.
	My mother was a foster parent.
	I was a foster parent.
	And that's a really important area of service.
	And it's an honor to have young women and gentlemen in their 40s.
	You gain to be as your children.
	And they're calling you mom.
	So this is a very important event.
	Thank you.
	Mayor Mrakas: Well, now we've had the signing, but of course, we said earlier we've got Chairman Donovan White here from Assistant Wahpeton Yolate.
	Great to have Chairman White here today, and we want to give him an opportunity to say a few words today as well.
	So here, Chairman White.
	Good morning, everybody.
	Chairman White from Siston-Wapton Sioux Tribe.
	I've been in office three months.
	It's been a whirlwind three months.
	Pretty busy.
	I've been in D.C. I've met the Senators, Senator Kramer in D.C. I met Senator Hovindstaff in D.C. Senator Rounds in D.C., Senator Thune.
	And we're working on a few different issues, but one of the main issues that really touches our tribe and all of the tribe is addiction.
	We've had numerous deaths in the last four or five months with overdosing.
	We just lost a friend last week to alcoholism.
	So that disease is still very strong in Indian country.
	So one of the things we're working on is a new treatment center on our reservation.
	We've got a lot of support from the senators and working with us on getting some funding for that.
	I had a chance to talk a little bit with the Governor and the First Lady.
	It's humbling to hear that this addiction does cross ethical lines.
	The First Lady's worked in fighting with addiction.
	But as you know, on our reservation, it's destroying our communities still, families, our homes, as you know how potent meth is.
	So we've got to fight.
	So I wanted to, you know, thank the First Lady and the Governor for speaking with me.
	I'm going to have some of my staff call the First Lady's office and we might be able to work on collaboration and some things with addiction.
	I'm up here today with the other tribes and I was trying to think of what I wanted to say and I think the main thing that I wanted to say is that we're united here as tribes and as also we are in South Dakota with all of the Sioux tribes and I really feel a warmth with the First Lady and the Governor and I just feel a lot of respect here and with your staff.
	We've got work to do in South Dakota With the leadership.
	But I just want everybody to know that as tribes in South Dakota and North Dakota, we stand united.
	Here's Monty Fox of Casey Family Programs to share how their organization helps families in the foster care system.
	I just want to thank everybody.
	This is a great day for all the kids and families in the state of North Dakota as well as the tribes.
	Our foundation is really built on improving the strength of families and children across the nation and we take our job very seriously.
	Our main goal is to keep kids out of the foster care system.
	So with this act and with the Family First Act that's coming up, it's really built to allow that to happen, to prevent the kids from going into care.
	On behalf of the Foundation, I want to thank all the teams that were involved in this whole process.
	Our Foundation is really about building communities of hope across the country.
	And this is an intentional process that we go through in doing some of those types of things and we collaborate.
	It's important that we don't drive the issues.
	We're here to collaborate and get people talking together to come up with good solutions for their tribes.
	And I heard Chairman Faith talk about some of the issues that might happen due to the agreement.
	But one of the things that is within the agreement, there is work groups in there that can help work through some of the issues that pop up as we go along.
	I think more importantly, our sacred little ones need our help.
	We need to lessen their traumatic events and increase the opportunities to success.
	To flourish, no matter what is happening in this world.
	When they win, we all win as a citizen of a tribal nation, a citizen of the great state of North Dakota, and a citizen of this country.
	And we all have a role to play.
	It isn't just the child welfare system, it's all systems working together for that benefit of that child.
	So on behalf of Casey Foundation, congratulations to all of you.
	Today is a very proud day.
	Governor Burgum asked Chris Jones, Executive Director of the Department of Human Services, to share how these comprehensive agreements will allow DHS to work in tandem with tribal nations to expand these services.
	The first and last comprehensive tribal 4E agreement between the four tribal nations in the state of North Dakota was signed in 1983. This agreement in 1983 meant that the tribes would maintain jurisdiction and case management over their children who were placed in foster care, and the federal government would share in the cost of their care within the state.
	This was consistent with the Indian Child Welfare Act.
	Today is a landmark in tribal-state relations.
	National experts have indicated the agreement is likely the most comprehensive and respectful in the country.
	It adds additional services for tribally operated services, increases the state's commitment to Native American children, And creates a work group of tribal, state, and community leaders to look for ways to strengthen and improve tribal and state child welfare services.
	While tribal nations can work directly with the federal government regarding Title IV-E, this agreement shows the commitment by all parties to continue our strong collaborative relationship, which will lead to improved outcomes for children and families.
	Again, my thanks to all of you.
	It has been an honor to be a part of this.
	Here's Lauren Sauer, Assistant Director for Children and Family Services for DHS. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
	This morning, the Mandan, Hadatsa, and Arikara Nation, the Spirit Lake Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, and the State of North Dakota made history.
	With their signatures today, these partners reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration and coordination, ensuring children are safe and their families are strong.
	Every day as we watch our children grow, we are reminded of the responsibility we have to them and to future generations.
	We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life of safety.
	We owe our families the tools and support they need to be strong and provide the loving and nurturing environment that our children need.
	It has been a long journey to this moment, and the journey continues.
	Thank you to everyone who worked hard and contributed to this successful endeavor.
	Congratulations on a job well done.
	Thank you.
	Thanks to all of the tribal leaders who joined us for this event to celebrate the renewed collaboration towards our shared goal of improving lives for all North Dakotans.
	More information about the program can be found in the news release on our website at governor.nd.gov.
	While you're there, make sure to check out past episodes of Work Worth Doing, which can be found at governor.nd.gov slash podcast.
	Thanks to the Department of Human Services for hosting this event, and thanks to our audio producer, Alicia Jolliffe, for putting this episode together.

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