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[source: NativeNews; Thu, 24 Feb 2000 15:45:01]

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

  For Immediate Release
February 24, 2000

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

WOMEN & CHILDREN PROVE TO BE DRIVING FORCE FOR GRASS ROOTS
MOVEMENT&

Unseasonably mild weather is not the only topic of
conversation at the Red Cloud Building this evening. The
Grass Roots Oyate invited the youth to come to the building
and express their concerns about the historical developments
taking place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Dozens of
students filed into the round meeting room in the Tribe's
administrative offices and respectfully addressed a large
group of elders. They stated that they were pleased that
someone finally gave them an opportunity to speak. They
painted a bleak picture of the long-term social problems on
the reservation. Some cried as they told of their hardships;
going without food and heat in their homes; seeing land
being stolen out from under them. Many of the students have
reviewed the financial ledger reports being circulated and
are very concerned about the unbalanced distribution of
monies and blatant greed. Concerning a return to
self-governance, they stated that they are anxious to learn
traditional ways. Without a spiritual foundation, many young
people here are turning towards gangs. One young woman
stated that she would attend council meetings with her
grandpa and witnessed disrespect to elders, as he was never
allowed to speak. They stated that nothing is ever done for
the youth in the nine districts of the reservation, yet
elected officials continually "use" them for political gain.
In spite of it all, they remain optimistic about a better
tomorrow.

An elderly woman, who travels nearly two hours across the
reservation to support the Grass Roots Oyate, stated that,
"&the women are the 'nation-keepers', the generation-
builders'." She went on to say that, "&the Oglala Lakota
people have tried non-traditional methods and pushed our
children into it. Now, it has created a gap in generations.
That is why we are here today. In the past, the Oglala
Lakota lived in a simpler way, people respected elders.
These ways are not lost, they are innate. If we have faith
in the sacred pipe, we can regain our dignity and strength."

Dale Looks Twice, spokesman for the Grass Roots Oyate,
stated, "Our actions here are creating a "snowball" effect;
many other reservations are ready to reformulate their
governmental system. Traditionalists are demanding
accountability from their elected officials. Many tribes are
watching us, our actions will serve as a catalyst for all
tribes to abolish the 'oppressive monster' - the Indian
Reorganization Act government system."

The Grass Roots Oyate have maintained control of the Oglala
Sioux Tribe's administrative offices since January 16th.
They have declared their sovereign immunity under the
guidelines of the 1868 Treaty at Fort Laramie. The seven
bands of the Great Sioux Nation are one of the few tribes
that have a treaty in active, full force. In their 38th day
of the peaceful occupation, they are standing on their
original demand to remove the Tribe's Treasurer, Wesley
"Chuck" Jacobs for gross misconduct and mismanagement of
federal funds allocated to the members of the tribe.
Further, they are demanding a referendum vote to abolish the
I.R.A. government policy and return to a more culturally
based system. There are a total of nine demands, none of
which have been met as of this writing.

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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