Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, SD - On January 17, 2000 at 10:00 a.m., a group of concerned Grass Roots Oyate (people) met with representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine what action, in any, the Federal Government will take against the corrupt Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer and Council Members.

Hundreds of tribal members filed into the cramped office space to tell their stories to the federal agents. Stories of land stealing, homelessness, poverty, tribal law enforcement abuses, lack of accountability from elected officials. Two hours later, the FBI agents were growing weary and requested a break to speak with media on the scene.

The Grass Roots Oyate took control of the Tribal Office on Sunday, January 16,2000 for the sole purpose of protecting the files from tampering. The Grass Roots Oyate, consisting of tribal members-young and old, have stated that they will retain control of the building until their demands (see attached) are met. This group feels that this action is long overdue and has demanded the immediate removal of Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs for gross misconduct and mismanagement of tribal funds.Additionally, the Grass Roots Oyate is seeking the removal of Tribal Council Representatives who are involved in the corruption of this tribal government.

At the close of today's meeting, The FBI agents informed the Oglala people that they have acquired some financial records already from unnamed sources and an investigation is underway. They stated that they are not at liberty to elaborate on this investigation but added that they are investigating various programs within the Tribe and they hope to conclude this process soon.

The FBI stated that they will return to the Red Cloud Tribal Building on Tuesday, January 18, 2000 to hear further testimony.

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Oglala Grass Roots Group Demands

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1. Full forensic audit of all OST income including Prairie Wind Casino. This audit must be made public to all Oglala Sioux Tribal members.

2. Enforcement of the OST Constitution & By- Laws; Specifically to Article X- Land: Section XI Use of Unassigned Land. Any income derived from such land shall accrue to the benefit of the Tribe as a whole. That those funds be set aside and distributed equally to each district. ($200,000,000 ).

3. Under the IRA ( Indian Reorganization Act), Section 5 provides for the recovery of tribal lands that the Secretary of Interior shall exercise this right in purchasing all land, water rights and surface rights to land within or without existing reservation and turn over OST trust land. Under this provision the Secretary of Interior shall pay to FHA the outstanding balance of land purchased under the FHA loan, further that the Secretary and United States Congress return to the Oglala Sioux Tribe, land known as the Buffalo Gap National Grass Land, and all other that Section V of IRA (Indian Reorganization Act), states and carry out to the fullest extent of this section.

4. Secretary of Interior do whatever is necessary to return jurisdiction to the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Bennett and Jackson Counties.

5. That the U.S. Government honor our sovereignty and refrain from all things that they do, such as, involving the State in any and all actions. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Oglala Sioux Tribe is a sovereign nation within a nation and the supreme law of the land. The Tribe has the right to negotiate government to government which excludes the State. That the U.S. Government enforces and abides by all treaties and rights of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

6. Secretary of Interior will honor and see to this trust as trust responsibility on Oglala Sioux Tribal land, known as "The South Unit", under the General Management Plan Revision/Development, which was signed and approved the OST Council, Dir. Of Rocky Mountain Region, Dir. Of National Park Service and the Secretary of Interior on 1/2/76. The South Unit land belongs to the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

7. The OST Council has violated their Oath of Office to the US Constitution and OST Constitution, therefore all council members and the OST Treasurer are to be removed from office immediately, in the best interest of the OST and its members.

8. All funds owed to programs be paid back in full immediately and programs be left to administrate their programs effectively, without interference from tribal government, except where otherwise stated in the program contract.

9. A full land audit be conducted on the First National Bank of Gordon, Gordon, Nebraska to determine how much tribal land they have obtained as collateral for bailouts, etc.