PHOTO OF THE DAY: FROM FREEMAN TO PIERRE

Freeman is being represented at the State Tribal Relations Day today in the rotunda in the South Dakota Capitol. Sec. David Flute of the South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations invited representatives of Freeman to be part of the observance. The theme is “Collaborating for Safety and Education.”

The invitation came following the Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration in Freeman on Oct. 18 that featured a presentation by Flute and singers and dancers from the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. Hosted by Freeman Academy about 700 people attended, mostly elementary and high school students from five area schools. The program was also open to the public; attendees included residents of Freeman Regional Assisted Living, whom Flute recognized as elders that day.

The Freeman event included collaboration between Freeman Academy and Heritage Hall Museum & Archives (HHM&A), including Sec. Flute joining FA students in the museum following the program. Since then, additional collaboration with Freeman Regional Assisted Living and the Freeman Prairie Arboretum led to Flute’s invitation for all four organizations to participate in the Jan. 29 Department of Tribal Relations event.

Representing Freeman in Pierre are Lynnelle Allison (Prairie Arboretum), Peggy Muchmore (Freeman Regional Assisted Living), Karla Rupp (Freeman Academy) and Tim L. Waltner (HHM&A). They were available to share details about their collaborations and unique missions in the Freeman community with state officials and visitors to the Capitol. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.