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[source: NativeNews; Sun, 13 Feb 2000 16:53:24]

From: "Wild Horse" <wild.horse.list@mindspring.com>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2000

RED CLOUD BUILDING, PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION,
SOUTH DAKOTA:

PROTEST MARCH AGAINST GRASS ROOTS OYATE FIZZLES!

As snow fell on Pine Ridge Agency, a small group marched in
protest against the Grass Roots Oglala Lakota Oyate (people)
who have occupied the tribal administrative offices of the
Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) for 27 straight days. The group,
consisting of a few women and their children, oppose the
Grass Roots Oyate's demands to remove the Tribe's Treasurer
and the Tribal Council.

Elder members of the Grass Roots Oyate instructed the young
Tokala (security) members to shovel the snow from the
sidewalk in front of the building prior to the protesters
arrival. The grandmothers had planned to invite them in for
soup and bread, but the protesters never made it to the
building. The elders stated that it is Lakota tradition to
never deny anyone food or shelter and that we are all
related. They cited that the power of the sacred pipe is
what brought the protesters close to the building.

The Grass Roots Oyate are beginning to receive feedback on
the OST financial ledgers that were circulated yesterday.
Tribal members are frustrated by the nepotism that has
plagued the tribal administration for years. The financial
ledgers show large loan payments to councilmen's relatives;
daily pay outs to the Tribe's Treasurer Wesley "Chuck"
Jacobs; excessive travel authorization payments, etc. The
group is demanding the permanent removal of Jacobs from all
government positions.

As many native nations watch on, the Grass Roots Oyate are
making strides to abolish the I.R.A. (Indian Reorganization
Act - 1934) form of government that has oppressed the Oglala
Lakota Nation for 66 years. Over the past few weeks,
representatives from other tribes have visited the
traditionalists at the Red Cloud Building to observe and
report back to their reservations. For this reason, the
Grass Roots Oyate claim there has been a media blackout.
They know that the U.S. government fears an "Indian
uprisal". The Grass Roots Oyate believe that many indigenous
nations are ripe for change in their government structures.

At a recent United Southern & Eastern Tribes conference in
Washington, D.C., Commissioner on Indian Affairs, Kevin
Gover, spoke of the I.R.A. system, ".It was meant to fail -
to see that the tribes disappear. It has been broken from
Day One." The Grass Roots Oyate are committed to
reestablishing a traditional government system that will
better serve all the members of the Oglala Lakota Nation. A
meeting with traditional headsmen and chiefs is scheduled
for Sunday, February 13th at the Red Cloud Building. The
purpose of the meeting is to gain input from traditionalists
on the formulation of a new government.

The Grass Roots Oyate took peaceful control of the Red Cloud
Building on January 16, 2000. For nearly four weeks, the
tribal treasurer and the tribal council have taken desperate
and sometimes illegal measures to remove the occupants.

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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