For the first time, South Dakota this week is hosting the annual conference of the Governors Interstate Indian Council (GIIC). The group, established in 1949, is comprised of state Native American affairs officers and commissioners.

The group is based through Thursday at Rapid City's Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn. Today, on the state's Native American Day holiday, the group is participating in events at Crazy Horse Memorial, where Mount Rushmore Superintendant Gerard Baker will speak to members at 2:30 p.m.

The council's mission is to promote and enhance government-to-government relations between the tribes and states. This involves recognizing the sovereignty of the tribes, working to preserve the tribal culture and encouraging economic development that will help the tribal groups be self sustaining.

Scheduled activities include tours of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and discussion on Native education and health care issues.

For details, go to www.state.sd.us/oia/GIIC/giic.asp