Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Pierre, South Dakota - The publisher of the Pierre newspaper walked around the Oceti Sakowin Campsite Saturday, August 7, around 11:25 a.m., taking pictures of the camp's kitchen, a sacred fire, staff and sweat lodge against the wishes of the people camped there.

One camper said he saw Terry Hipple's van speed into the parking lot of the camp, honking at a car in its way. A few minutes later, CPTers Joanne "Jake" Kaufman and Ben Yoder, in a meeting under the kitchen/shelter, saw him taking digital camera photos of the camp's garden. One CPTer asked him who he was and why he was taking photos. He said brusquely, "It's none of your business..."

Hipple then walked quickly toward the tipis and sweat lodge. Kaufman walked over, held out her hand, and asked if he was a journalist, introducing herself as a human rights observer. Hipple said his name and that he was the publisher of the Pierre Capital Journal. He quickly added that he was not here on official business, or as a reporter, but to take pictures "for a friend."

As Hipple continued toward the tipis, several of the Lakota men called out that he should not take photos of the sweat lodge or sacred fire as a matter of respect for their sacred things. He shrugged off their warning with, "Oh, Okay," and continued behind the sweat lodge to take a photo of the main tipi with the fire inside and a staff outside.

Meanwhile, Kaufman used CPT's digital camera to take photos of Hipple and his tornado-like progress to photograph the camp toilets and the rest of the area. As she was taking photos of his white suburban vehicle's license plate, Hipple walked by and said, "These [cameras] are handy little things, aren't they?"

Meanwhile, camp representatives had called the police. A Pierre city police officer responded to the camp's call, took note of their concern and called Hipple to find out his perspective. Hipple said that he was just taking photos and did not think his behavior had been rude. The police said that it is legal for people to take photos and walk around on "public" land.

A South Dakota Peace and Justice member pointed out that the Custer State Game Lodge is located on public land in the Black Hills, but that people who tried to enter the premises and take photos there without permission would probably not be allowed in.

The Capital Journal printed an article, which appeared on the front page of the August 3 issue, about the House of Representatives passing the Section which repeals Title VI, the land transfer Oceti Sakowin camp members are protesting. Governor William Janklow has called the passage of Title VI, "The best deal in 50 years for the state of South Dakota."

On Wednesday, July 28, a Capital Journal editorial about the camp said, "The campers at La Framboise island are protesting the mitigation act that has already passed through Congress. They hope to provoke a hearing in Washington, D.C., but no one there seems to be paying attention. As we see it, the protesters would be better off putting their efforts into lobbying in Washington rather than sweltering in the park." The previous night, the House of Representatives had passed Section 505 repealing Title VI, also known as the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and State of South Dakota Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Restoration Act.

The police response highlights the difficulties of confronting Treaty issues in South Dakota. La Framboise Island is west of the east bank of the Missouri, and is part of the Great Sioux Nation Reservation according to the Treaty. The Lakota have not ceded their Treaty rights, because three-quarters of the male descendants have never signed a new Treaty.