Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Porcupine, SD - Seven young Oglala warriors are manning a tipi camp on La Framboise Island in the Missouri River to protest a planned turnover of nearly 200,000 acres of Indian Treaty land to the state of South Dakota. The “First Fire of the Oceti Sakowin” spiritual camp was established after a March 22 demonstration that brought over 200 protesters to South Dakota’s capitol city of Pierre on a chilly, windy day to protest the controversial “Mitigation Act” that was passed in October 1998 despite strong tribal opposition, and without tribal consultation.

The young men staying on La Framboise say that the camp affirms the Treaty rights of the Sioux Nation to the land along the Missouri River. Like the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council, and the Oglala, Standing Rock, Rosebud, Crow Creek and Yankton Sioux Tribes, they base the Sioux Nation’s claim to the land on the 1851 and 1868 Treaties and on aboriginal rights. Tribes, Treaty Councils, and non-Indian supporters including the South Dakota Peace and Justice Center are calling for congressional oversight hearings to reconsider the Act, and for a full-blown EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) before the US Army Corps of Engineers moves to transfer any land.

Demonstrators at the March 22 event in Pierre marched between the Capitol and Federal buildings, to draw attention to the joint partnership between SD’s Republican Governor William Janklow and Senate Minority Leader, Tom Daschle (D, SD), who crafted the controversial Mitigation Act (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and state of South Dakota Terrestrial Wildlife Restoration Act) in secrecy.

The legislation was drafted and passed without consultation with opposed tribes, although President Clinton’s 1994 executive order expressly calls for such consultation.

After the demonstration, Chief Oliver Red Cloud, Chairman of the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council, and Vincent Black Feather, a spiritual leader of the Oglala Band, conducted spiritual ceremonies at the “First Fire of the Oceti Sakowin” camp. A sacred fire was lit and the camp stands as a public reminder that the aboriginal and Treaty rights of the Sioux Nation are not extinguished.

For further information contact:

Emily Iron Cloud-Koenen - (605) 455-2193
Eileen Iron Cloud - (605) 455-2999
Joanne Tall - (605) 867-2673

Funds can be sent to the SD Peace and Justice Ctr (605) 882-2822.
Please put "for Seven Fires Camp" at bottom of check or MO.
Sleeping Bags and Rain Coats and Canned foods can be sent to
Eileen Iron Cloud or Emily Iron Cloud (605) 455-2999 or 455-2193.