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[source: NativeNews; Sat, 05 Feb 2000 13:06:55]

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2000

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

BIA APPOINTED AUDITOR DENIED BY GRASS ROOTS PEOPLE!

In what appears to be a flimsy attempt at appeasing the occupants of the
Red Cloud Building in Pine Ridge Agency, BIA Regional Director Cora
Jones appointed the auditing firm of Jamie Orrabe to conduct a financial
review for fiscal period January-December 1999.

The Grass Roots Oglala Lakota Oyate (people) sent notice to BIA
Superintendent Robert Ecoffey notifying him that they do not approve of
Orrabe's firm to conduct the audit. Importantly, the BIA has asked Tribal
President Harold Salway for minimal documentation, which indicates that
only a one-year review is scheduled. The group is demanding that the BIA
retain one of the "big 6" accounting firms to bring a team in that can
conduct
an audit of this magnitude in a timely fashion. The group further demanded
that the BIA not retain Arthur Anderson & Co., due to their partnership with
the Bureau on the mismanagement of IIM accounts.

The Grass Roots Oyate appeared before the Oglala Sioux Tribal (OST)
Council on January 31st and February 1st to address their demands. The
Tribal Council voted unanimously to conduct a full forensic audit of all
governmental fund types dating back five years. Additionally, the Council
moved to suspend Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs, Tribal Treasurer, for gross
misconduct and mismanagement of tribal funds. Since the meeting was
abruptly adjourned on February 1st, the Council has rescinded their
actions, stating that the meeting was not legal.

The Grass Roots Oyate are making preparations for a historic meeting
scheduled for Saturday, February 5th. Representatives of the Oceti
Sakowin (Seven Fires Council) will be travelling to Pine Ridge Agency to
support the Grass Roots Oyate. The Oceti Sakowin is comprised of
appointed treaty headsmen from the seven bands of the Great Sioux Nation.
All are descendants of the original signers of the 1868 Treaty at Fort
Laramie.
Some of the other Sioux Bands are interested in following the Oglala Lakota
in their battle against the "oppressive giant" - the I.R.A. (Indian
Reorganization
Act) government. The IRA government was established in 1934 and was
supposed to be a temporary "babysitter" of the Indians' money. Sixty-six
years
later, it is still the recognized governing body of the Oglala Lakota Nation.
Many elders on the reservation refuse to vote in IRA elections because they
believe that voting will automatically relinquish their treaty rights. The
United
States Government has never defeated the Oglala Lakota Nation in battle.
The up and coming generations of the Oglala Lakota believe that they never
will.

The Grass Roots Oyate are in their 20th day of occupation in the Red Cloud
Building. They have vowed to remain in the building until their demands are
met. Some of the nine demands include a full tribal land audit on the First
National Bank of Gordon, Neb.; full tribal trust land audit by the BIA; U.S.
recognition of the Oglala Lakota Nation as a sovereign entity, with no state
jurisdiction.

Activities for the meeting of the Oceti Sakowin are scheduled to begin at
approximately 10:00 a.m. on February 5, 2000 at the Red Cloud Building in
Pine Ridge Agency.

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

As with all my posts concerning the Occupation Peoples please forward to
any and all interested parties in its entirety

Wadv
Wild Horse

Visit and show your support for the Grass Roots Oyate
http://members.tripod.com/GrassRootsOyate
 

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