And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: The following mainstream news article maybe contain bias and misleading information. It is posted here for your information..Ish Web posted Wednesday, March 31, 1999 http://www.yankton.net/stories/033199/new_0330990026.html Indian Students Upset With Janklow Over Donation Flap By JOE KAFKA Associated Press Writer PIERRE -- A throng of nearly 200 Indians marched for a mile and gathered peacefully in front of the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon to return a T-shirt they had earlier mailed to Gov. Bill Janklow. The shirt was autographed by many of the 400 or so Indian teen-agers who had just concluded a three-day leadership conference at a local motel. Janklow received the shirt several weeks ago with a letter that asked him to donate to the Indian Youth 2000 Conference, which is in its 10th year. The conference costs more than $20,000, and the $35 registration fee charged each student falls short of the needed funds. In an effort to help make up the shortfall, the governor was asked for money. ''We are calling on your value of generosity, governor, to help with a financial donation in the amount of $1,000,'' the letter said. ''Please step up to the challenge. Please show our youth how to lead by your example,'' it continued. The governor scribbled a terse note in response, and returned the T-shirt. Janklow's undated letter said: ''Sorry - When I contribute, I make the decisions as to the amount. The presumptions in the letter are offensive.'' To show there are no hard feelings, but wanting Janklow to keep the shirt, it was handed Tuesday to his receptionist, Amy Weber, by 17-year-old J.D. Traversie of Mission. ''Refusing gifts shows disrespect for our Lakota heritage,'' Traversie said. Marie Randall, an adult from Wanblee who accompanied Traversie and another teen inside the building, explained that the only purpose of the march to the Capitol was to return the gift. The terse letter from Janklow doesn't bother her, she said. ''We didn't appreciate our gift being sent back to us,'' Randall said. ''In Lakota, when you give a gift, whether its just a little gift or a big gift it should never be returned,'' she said. ''That's why we felt bad for our youth.'' Janklow was not at the Capitol when the marchers arrived. He told a reporter earlier in the day that a delegation from the conference had scheduled a meeting with him Monday but never showed up. The T-shirt was returned because he donated no money to the conference, the governor said. ''I would be an ingrate to keep the T-shirt and not respond to the remainder of the letter,'' Janklow said, adding that he did not like the tone of the letter. ''I don't know that anybody's ever told me before how much I'm going to give,'' he said. ''I found that an offensive letter.'' Donating money has nothing to do with leadership, Janklow said. The governor said he gives substantial sums to charities of his choosing each year. All Contents �Copyright Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
