Tribal Council, Constitutional Officer Seats Open for Election at Rosebud

ROSEBUD, SD – The Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Election Board recently issued a Public Notice announcing both the Primary and General Elections scheduled for this summer.

Registered voters will select a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. In addition, there are ten (10) Tribal Council Representative positions up for election. The Antelope, St. Francis, Rosebud, Corn Creek, Ring Thunder, Horse Creek, Swift Bear, Bull Creek, He Dog and Upper Cut Meat tribal council seats are all being advertised as open for candidate hopefuls.

As of press time, no candidates have yet filed affidavits for the Tribal Secretary position. In addition, there have not been any candidates filing for the Tribal Council Representative positions in the communities of Rosebud, St. Francis, Corn Creek, Bull Creek and Upper Cut Meat. The following candidates have filed their nominating affidavits:

President: Willie Kindle, James Iron Shell, Dwight D. Spotted Tail, Richard Tuffy Lunderman, Steve DeNoyer, Jr. Vice President: Glen Yellow Eagle and Scott Herman. Treasurer: Byron Barney Wright and Muriel Fast Horse.

Antelope: Calvin Hawkeye Waln (incumbent), Santiago Morales, Eddie Sonny Farmer, Jr. and Shawn Bordeaux. Ring Thunder: Patricia Douville. Horse Creek: Fremont Fallis. He Dog: Mary F. Waln (incumbent) and Royal Yellow Hawk. Swift Bear: Delano Clairmont.

The first day to file a nominating affidavit was May 1, 2015. Prospective candidates have until May 29, 2015 at 5pm to file an affidavit. Candidates must pass a criminal background check and meet other qualifications as outlined in the Election Code. Affidavits can be picked up from the Tribal Secretary.

Prospective candidate must be members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, with at least one quarter of Indian blood listed on their tribal abstract. Candidates for the Tribal Council, Secretary and Treasurer positions must have reached their 25th birthday by the date of the General Election. Candidates seeking the President or Vice President position must have reached their 45th birthday.

Candidates must not have been found guilty by the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council of misconduct in tribal affairs. In addition, candidates must not have been found guilty of any major crimes by any jurisdiction. Also, they may not have been found guilty of any tribal, state or federal court of law, or the tribal ethics commission to have performed any act containing an element of violence, perjury, forgery, bribery, dishonesty or abuse of public office compromising the welfare of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe or nay of its members.

Candidates must also prove some degree of leadership in their affidavit. Tribal Council candidates must also have been living in the community of candidacy for at least one year preceding the date of the Primary Election. Candidates for the office of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary must have been living within the original boundaries of the Rosebud Reservation for at least one year preceding the date of the Primary Election.

A filing fee of $300.00 is required for the offices of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary must be paid by money order to the Tribal Finance Office. Tribal Council Candidates are required to pay a filing fee of $150.00.

An updated list of all candidates who have filed a nominating affidavit is on display at the Tribal Secretary’s Office.

The Election Board members are Gerald Eagle Bear, Ronald Neiss, Ed Clairmont, Patti Romero and Meredith Kills In Water. For more information you can contact the Election Board Office at (605) 856-2373.