“The road to recovery is not going to happen overnight. But I think working together, we can do that,” Faith said.

Spirit Lake Sioux Chairwoman Myra Pearson said relationships with the state have improved significantly in the past two years. In 2017, Pearson was scheduled to give the state of the tribes address, but legislators canceled the event, citing security concerns related to the pipeline protest. Pearson also was once asked by security to leave the state Capitol when she arrived on the same day as a protest event.

On Thursday, Pearson said it was an honor to have tribal flags recognized at the Capitol.

“It’s part of our healing,” Pearson said.

Leaders from the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate also participated in the ceremony, with each tribe explaining the history of their flags. Several veterans joined the ceremony, with MHA Nation Chairman Mark Fox drawing attention to the fact that Native Americans serve in the military at a higher rate than any other race in the United States.