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[source: NativeNews; Thu, 17 Feb 2000 11:39:21]

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2000

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

REGIONAL BIA DIRECTOR DENIES GRASS ROOTS' TREATY RIGHTS!

In a telephone conversation today with Cora Jones,
Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA),
the Grass Roots Oyate demanded to know why her department
has not responded to their repeated requests for
assistance. She stated that she has full faith in Robert
Ecoffey, BIA Superintendent for the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation. She claimed that Ecoffey is in complete
control of the situation at Pine Ridge Agency. When the
Grass Roots Oyate asked how they could remove Ecoffey from
his post, Jones stated that she would have to be convinced
of misconduct before she would even consider his removal.
The group reminded her of the fiduciary trust responsibility
she has to the Oglala Lakota under the guidelines of the
1868 Treaty at Fort Laramie. She responded by stating that
the only system she recognizes is the I.R.A. government
(Indian Reorganization Act - 1934) and will deal only with
the Tribal President and the Tribal Council.

The group informed Jones that Superintendent Ecoffey is
using scare tactics to turn tribal members against each
other. He has repeatedly stated that he may rescind the
federal contracts if the people do not vacate the tribal
offices. Jones stated that she has, in fact, placed the
Oglala Sioux Tribe's Federal PL638 Programs on "high risk"
status due to non-compliance. And further stated that our
occupation of the building does not help the situation. The
Grass Roots Oyate contend that the federal contracts are
administered at the B.I.A. building and all monitoring of
these contracts is being done at another office. The
occupiers took exception to Jones' accusations and demanded
a face-to-face meeting with her. She stated that she did not
know when she would find time to come to Pine Ridge Agency.

Meanwhile, visitors from one of the seven Sioux Bands
arrived at the Red Cloud Building today to "observe and
learn" from the Grass Roots Oyate. There was an eerie
similarity in their report of the corruption taking place
on their reservation. They encouraged the Grass Roots Oyate
to stay strong and stand on their demands. In the last four
weeks, members from all seven Sioux Bands have come to Pine
Ridge Agency to see firsthand how the Grass Roots Oyate are
using peaceful means to reform their governmental system.

As copies of the Tribe's financial ledgers continue to
circulate around the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, even
teenage tribal members are expressing their disgust over
the obvious corruption taking place within tribal
government. High school students from the reservation are
planning to visit the Red Cloud Building this week to
"observe and learn", which is the traditional Lakota way.

Today marked the one-month anniversary of the Grass Roots
Oyate's occupation of the Red Cloud Building. They took
peaceful control of the building on January 16, 2000. They
represent the "silent majority" of the Oglala Sioux Tribe,
which has approximately 40,000 enrolled tribal members,
making it one of the largest in the United States.
Additionally, the Oglala Sioux were one of the last tribes
forced to sign a peace treaty with the United States
Government. The 1868 Treaty at Fort Laramie remains in full
force to this day.

Historically, the Oglala Lakota have never lost in battle
to the United States. They contend that they will remain
in the building until their demands are met.

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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