North Dakota Gov. Doug Bergum (R) tearfully announced during his State of the State speech Thursday that the flags of the five Native American tribes in North Dakota will now be displayed in the state’s Memorial Hall.
“As we continue to engage with the tribes in discussion about oil and gas tax revenue, law enforcement, behavioral health and other priorities, we will do so with the mutual respect and understanding that we are all North Dakotans,” Bergum said.
“And in the spirit of that mutual respect, we’re honored that the governor’s office today will begin,” Bergum said as he began to fight back tears, “to display the flags of the five tribal nations with whom we share geography alongside our state national flags outside the governor’s office in the Memorial Hall.”
State House lawmakers previously attempted to pass a bill in the 2015 and 2017 legislative session to required the flags to be displayed in Memorial Hall, according to a local CBS station. However, both attempts failed.
Since assuming office in 2016, Burgum has reportedly said that he would to repair the relationship between the local tribes and the state government.