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[source; NativeNews; Tue, 25 Jan 2000 10:33:23]

From: "Wild Horse" <wild.horse.list@mindspring.com>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 24, 2000

Red Cloud Tribal Building, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota:

Today, as everyday, the "occupants" of the Red Cloud Tribal Building began
the new day with prayer under the sacred pipe.

This is the 9th day that the Grass Roots Oglala Lakota Oyate did exercise
their sovereign immunity rights under the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty by
taking control of the Red Cloud Tribal Building. The sole purpose is to
protect financial records from the corrupt Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer
Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs and members of the OST Tribal Council. Tribal
Council mismanagement and mishandling of federally allocated funds
have oppressed the grass roots people for years on this reservation.

According to the Oglala Sioux Tribal Constitution, the Tribal Council has
the authority to remove the Treasurer pending a termination hearing.
Since the first day of the peaceful monitoring of the tribal building, the
demands have been consistent and straightforward. The first demand
that is non-negotiable is the removal of Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs, Tribal
Treasurer. To date, Jacobs has not honored his word to resign and the
Tribal Council has not exercised their power to remove him. Consequently,
there was a total "lock-down" on the Red Cloud Tribal Building today.
Many employees did not return in to work because they support the grass
roots efforts, still others are in fear due to threats received by corrupt
politicians.

In a meeting today with the Robert Ecoffey, Bureau of Indian Affairs Agent
and a mediator from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Grass Roots
Oyate reiterated its position that mediation will not begin until the
permanent removal of Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs. Mr. Ecoffey stated that,
contrary to false rumors, there will be an independent A-133 audit of the
Tribe's financial records at the expense of the BIA. The BIA has repeatedly
downplayed its trust responsibility to the Tribe in the financial management
of the BIA grants and contracts.

As of today, the OST Council remains in contempt of the tribal judge's order
to appoint an assistant treasurer to carry out minimal day-to-day financial
services for the Tribe. The Grass Roots Oyate maintains that the Tribal
Council has had numerous opportunities to have vital services restored
once the Tribal Treasurer is permanently removed from office. The
"lock-down" will remain in force and mediation cannot commence until
this demand is met.

The Grass Roots Oyate wishes to extend their gratitude to many supporters
from around the world who have offered support and assistance in many
forms.

For further information, please contact Floyd Hand, or Dale Looks Twice,
Media Relations Coordinator at (605) 867-5303.

As with all posts concerning the Pine Ridge Occupation please forward
to any and all interested parties

Wadv
Wild Horse

===

[forwarded by Pat Morris. Thanks...]

Wed, 26 Jan 2000
http://www.kotatv.com/localnews/story.asp?ID=3814

Pine Ridge Treasurer Fired
4:12:08 PM
Jack Siebold
 

Late this afternoon, the Oglala Sioux Tribe executive council
and appears to give in to a key demonstrator demand.
firing of tribal treasurer, Chuck Jacobs.

takeover is in its ninth day, and even though workers were
told they can go back to their jobs, Grass Roots protestors
continues to occupy the government building.

Two federal mediators sent in to get protestors and the tribal
council talking, had no luck over the weekend.

But, if the council does elect a new treasurer, Michael Graham,
protestors say they will sit down and work on the rest of their
nine-demand list.

****************************************************************************
***

http://www.fox7.blackhills.com/news6.htm

Pine Ridge occupation: Day 10

Day number ten and still mnot much progress in the the village of
Pine Ridge. A group of tribal members, calling themselves the Grass
Roots Oyate, is occupying the Red Cloud Administration Building.
They're demanding the resignation or termination of tribal treasurer,
Chuck Jacobs. They say he's grossly mishandled the tribe's money.

Tuesday, members of the grass roots group had hoped to meet with
tribal council members, but it didn't happen.

No one's quite sure why. Tribal police have barricaded the road in
front of the building as a safety precaution.

Story by: Aaron Erickson
 
 

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