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Public Testimony

Training & Worksession

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Presented by: Paul B. Barnhardt

Session Goals:

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1. Review what public testimony is and its purpose.
2. Understand the steps you need to take to organize and deliver public testimony.
3. Review good practices for delivering public testimony.
4. Draft initial public testimony talking points.

What is public testimony and what is its purpose?

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• What it is: A formal written or spoken statement.
• Purpose:
1. Advocate for a position.
2. Shape the public narrative.
3. Shape the opinions of decision makers.
4. Organize people for action. The hearing is a moment in time. Think about the bigger picture.

Example #1 & #2

Dr. Cherie Farlee: 51:55 – 53:52

Testimony

Stephanie Amiotte

Testimony

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Steps to Delivering Public Testimony

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1. Make a plan. What does success look like? How can you play to your organizational or coalition strengths? What outcomes do you hope to achieve?
2. Know your audience. Who needs to hear your message? Decision makers, the public, the press.
3. Know what message you want to deliver and who you are as a messenger. Be authentic to yourself. Authenticity is your superpower.
4. Make your ask clear.
5. Be respectful, but don’t be afraid to be direct.
6. Coordinate message and messenger with others, if possible.
7. Organize people to attend. This is a moment in time, not an end in and of itself.
8. Think of the roles press, bloggers, pod casters, and social media can play.
9. Practice your remarks. Stay within the timeframe offered.

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Public Testimony Best Practices:

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Meet people where they are

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• Start with a common value almost all people in SD can agree on and support.

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Example: We all want our kids to know and respect the authentic history of South Dakota.

• Unfortunately, the proposed OSEU standards as drafted are not crafted to tell an authentic and inclusive view the of Oceti Sakowin people in modern day South Dakota.

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Public Testimony Best Practices:

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Pivot to the Problem

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The proposed OSEU Standards

• lack the full engagement and participation of a diverse group of tribal educators
• fails to incorporate modern representation of the Oceti Sakowin people in modern life
• limits the acknowledgement of all Oceti Sakowin tribes and languages
• inaccurately describes key terms and phrases

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Public Testimony Best Practices:

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Offer Alternative Solutions

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End with what you are asking for by giving public testimony:

• Follow all NIEA Consultation Guidelines; Adhere to Federal mandates including Section 8538 of the ESEA and Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation, Biden 2022, Sec. 2
• Incorporate modern images of doctors, teachers, lawyers, and modern day workers into the images
• Include and acknowledge all South Dakota tribes and languages in the OSEU document
• Use reputable and scholarly sources including input from Indigenous communities on terms and definitions

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Reminders

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• Return to common ground.
• Be disciplined.
• Have a division of labor for delivering messages – don’t all say the same thing.
• Organize people to attend, and then create follow up action opportunities.

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Example #3

Brian Wagner: 54:13 – 58:27

Testimony

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Draft your testimony

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• Divide into groups of three
• Brainstorm and write down what you would like to include in your public comments
• Begin to script out what you want to say and how you will say it
• Select one person from you group to share with broader convening
• Resources: Talking Points and Written Testimony Template

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Upcoming OSEU Public Testimony Opportunities:

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• December 19, 2024, 9:00 a.m. (Central), Sioux Falls
• February 10, 2025, 9:00 a.m. (Central), Pierre
• April 14, 2025, 9:00 a.m. (Mountain), Rapid City

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SIGN-UP

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Ally Testimony Example

Rachel White Buffalo

Testimony

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