Subj: [earthchanges] Emergency Call for Action: Support the Oglala Occupation
Date: 1/28/00 5:40:46 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: deuce42@uswest.net (Deuce)
Reply-to: earthchanges@onelist.com
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;@aol.com;

From: "Deuce"

From the Direct Action Network...

Emergency Call for Action: Support the Oglala Occupation at Pine Ridge
(approved by Grass Roots Oyate)
From Emergency Support for Grass Roots Oyate (bp172@scn.org; 206-937-5252)
in cooperation with the Northwest Leonard Peltier Support Network
--Tacoma Office (bayou@blarg.net or NatAimer@aol.com).

RALLY AT SEATTLE FEDERAL BUILDING DOWNTOWN, START AT 4PM, FRIDAY, FRIDAY,
JANUARY 28TH MARCH TO KING 5 TV TO DEMAND NETWORK MEDIA COVERAGE OF OYATE
OCCUPATIONOF TRIBAL OFFICE AND CHARGES OF CORRUPTION

The grassroots of the Oyate at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, has accepted an
offer for others to rally here in Seattle in support of their struggle. This
is an opportunity for us to use the alliances built around the World Trade
Organization to help bring attention to a long ignored issue: the rights of
the First Nations to govern themselves and control their own lives.

Here is a copy of the Oyate's first press release verbatim:

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

" 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, if 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.

Since this press release was issued, there has been a media blackout. In the
meantime, Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs has stated
that he would remove occupants of the office by force if necessary, and has
twice attempted entry into the office, but so far to no avail. The Oyate
are still holding strong, but need the support of all of us if they are to
win on their demands. The FBI is supposedly investigating the matter, and
they must know that they must also be held to their word. The Oyate demands
are included at the end of this post.

The Oyate are requesting that this is a peaceful demonstration. If anyone
engages in violence, it will be considered disrespectful toward their cause,
and they are the ones that determine how they will be supported.

THERE ARE FREQUENT UPDATES ON THE WEBSITE, WHICH IS:

http://members.tripod.com/GrassRootsOyate Please disseminate this post as
widely as possible.

In Solidarity, John Persak, Seattle WA for Emergency Support for Grass Roots
Oyate
206-937-5252 OGLALA GRASS ROOTS GROUP DEMANDS

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 toArticle
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
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.