South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota HC8022: recognizing the achievements, leadership, and lifelong public service of Cecelia Fire Thunder.
Status: Introduced, March 4, 2026
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 10, 2026:
2026 House Commemoration 8022 - SD Legislature recognizing the achievements, leadership, and lifelong public service of Cecelia Fire Thunder. South Dakota Legislature House Commemoration 8022 Introduced by: Representatives Pourier, Emery, Gosch, Moore, Muckey, Novstrup, and Shorma and Senators Foster, Duhamel, and Perry A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION recognizing the achievements, leadership, and lifelong public service of Cecelia Fire Thunder. WHEREAS, Cecelia Fire Thunder has devoted her life to advocacy, education, and leadership within her Oglala Lakota community, blazing a trail for Indigenous women in governance and public health; and WHEREAS, in 2004, Cecelia Fire Thunder became the first woman elected to serve as president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, setting a new milestone for women's leadership in tribal government; and WHEREAS, throughout her career, Cecelia Fire Thunder has been an unwavering advocate for the self-determination, health, and wellbeing of Native peoples, notably as a registered nurse, health educator, and community organizer; and WHEREAS, Cecelia Fire Thunder continues to inspire emerging leaders by demonstrating courage, integrity, and commitment to building bridges between tribal nations and this state; and WHEREAS, her vision and advocacy embody the Lakota value of woohitika, or strength and bravery in service to one's people; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the One Hundred First Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that Cecelia Fire Thunder deserves honor and recognition …
Sponsors
- Red Foster (D, SD-027) · primary sponsor
- Peri Pourier (R, HD-027) · primary sponsor
- Helene Duhamel (R, SD-032)
- Eric Emery (D, HD-026)
- Spencer Gosch (R, HD-023)
- Scott Moore (R, HD-023)
- Erik Muckey (D, HD-015)
- Al Novstrup (R, HD-003)
- Carl Perry (R, 03)
- William Shorma (R, HD-017)
Latest actions
- : Commemorations
Common questions
- What is HC8022?
- HC8022 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): recognizing the achievements, leadership, and lifelong public service of Cecelia Fire Thunder.
- What is the status of HC8022?
- Introduced as of March 4, 2026. Latest action: Commemorations (March 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored HC8022?
- Red Foster (D, SD-027), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HC8022?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27341
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.