SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Sometimes using economic terms and sometimes religious ones, state Sen. Neal Tapio says Congress needs to declare a "state of emergency" on the state's Indian reservations.
Then, the Republican candidate said, the federal government could begin negotiating with the state's Native American nations to change the treaties between them an get them off what he calls "dependency."
"We have to say the reservation systme is completely broken," Tapio said at a news conference today. "We need to have a serious conversation that is hard and difficult. I'm willing to lead that conversation."
When asked if Native American leaders have been receptive to his idea, he said some were receptive but he found there was also a "resistance to systematic change." Tapio said tribal official prosper under the current system while their people suffer.
Tapio said he became interested in the reservation system while a member of the Government Operations and Audit Committee. The committee attempted to investigate the GEAR UP program, a project that was supposed to ready and assist Native American youth in going to college.
Tapio was critical of fellow Republicans in Pierre for allowing the GEAR UP and EB-5 scandals to take place under their watch.
"The key here is silence. Why? Because you have a career path," Tapio said. "Don't rock the boat. Don't offend anyone giving money."
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