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[source: NativeNews; Sat, 12 Feb 2000 12:12:42]

From: "Wild Horse" <wild.horse.list@mindspring.com>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2000

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

LETTERS OF SUPPORT POUR IN FOR GRASS ROOTS CAUSE!

In their 26th day of occupying the tribal administrative
offices of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST), the Grass Roots
Oglala Lakota Oyate (people) remain in high spirits thanks
to thousands of telephone calls and letters of support from
people all over the world.

Spokespeople for the group stated that they have received
calls from many other indigenous nations inquiring as to how
they can change their government systems. The Grass Roots
Oyate are committed to transforming their government to
benefit all the members of the Tribe. Since 1934, the Oglala
Sioux Tribe has been oppressed by the Indian Reorganization
Act (I.R.A.). This form of government, modeled after the
U.S. government system, was illegally forced upon the people
of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in an effort to bring
them into the "mainstream". Many elders speak of the
secretarial election that brought the I.R.A. system. They
stated that the majority of the reservation did not even
participate in the election, fearing that it would terminate
their sovereignty and make them U.S. citizens. Others say
they were misinformed about what the system was intended for
and the length of its term.

With the new millenium, comes a renewed commitment to
returning to a more traditional form of government. The
current system clearly divides the people; making a small
percentage of the population richer and the unemployed
majority poorer. The traditional "Council of 21" system
philosophy is to reaffirm and reestablish the alliance and
allegiance to one another. The council is governed by an
appointed headsman from each tiospaye (extended family).
Decision-making shall be determined and conducted according
to traditional Oglala Lakota customs and laws.

The Grass Roots Oyate took peaceful control of the Red Cloud
Building on January 16th in an effort to protect the
financial records inside until a five-year, full forensic
audit of all funds can be conducted. The group contends that
the OST Treasurer and members of the Tribal Council have
mismanaged millions of dollars in federal funds allocated to
the members of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. They are
demanding the immediate removal of the treasurer and council
for their gross misconduct. The Grass Roots Oyate are
committed to staying in the building until their demands are
met.

The Grass Roots Oyate are hosting a meeting of traditional
headsmen to initiate these changes on Sunday, February 13,
2000 at 12:00 p.m. at the Red Cloud Building in Pine Ridge
Agency, S.D. The group welcomes all concerned parties to
come and listen to the elders as they share their wisdom.

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

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

Wadv
Wild Horse

http://members.tripod.com/GrassRootsOyate
 
 

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