It was created and sent by Mike McMorris: Mmcmorris@aol.com

Regarding the recent occupation of the Pine Ridge government offices by
protesters, a personal statement of support seems to be in order, from one
Grass Roots person to a group thereof......
+++++++++++++++++
Please contact your representatives and send them the following to bring the situation to their immediate attention.
The petition was written by Mike Mc who did one excellent job writing it..SHOW SUPPORT!(Ish)
 

Dear __________,

This is to bring to your attention a situation which concerns me as a voter.

I, _________, a citizen, taxpayer and voter of the United States of America,
which nation has treaty obligations to the Oglala Lakota Nation, support the
demands of the Oglala Grass Roots Oyate (People) and the traditional elders
of the Lakota, who are involved in a non-violent, peaceful assertion of their
rights in the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King.

As a US taxpayer and citizen, I feel my statement of support is appropriate
especially in the case where these demands pertain to the investigation of
corruption regarding the malfeasance of funds obtained from the United
States, and also appropriate especially as regards their demands that the
United States observe and honor Indian treaties, as these are incorporated
into the law of the land of the United States.

I support full US Government cooperation in the investigation of any and all
governmental misconduct past and present, both in regards to the Lakota
elected officials and those officials of the United States, as it is
requested by the Grass Roots Oyate and the traditional leadership of the
Oglala, all the while with full respect to the sovereignty of the Lakota.

I would strenuously object to any attempt at a cover up, lack of
investigation, or "going through the motions" that might undermine the right
of these people to have a fully accountable elected government in a form of
their own choosing, as this is counter to the principles upon which our
nation was founded and to the spirit in which the treaties were affirmed.

A statement from the Oglala Grass Roots group, including their demands
follows:

January 17,2000

RED CLOUD TRIBAL BUILDING, PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, SOUTH DAKOTA:
On January 17, 2000 at 10:00 am, 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.

For further information, please contact Dale Looks Twice or Floyd Hand at
(605) 867-5303.

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 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.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,
 

______________________