Sicangu News

I watched a bunch of happy children enjoying the Valentine’s Day Carnival sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud last week. The staff and volunteers did a great job.

It would be awesome if all of our communities could have a site for children to go and have activities to do. There are youth councils in every community but there are still lots of children who are being left out. When you add the lack of funding to this problem the issue seems insurmountable.

Also, another issue of concern is what is happening in our schools. There are so many of our young people being viciously bullied at school. A bully can be someone of any age. Students, paraprofessionals, teachers, support staff, administrators and school board members can be bullies.

Is your student being needlessly harassed by an adult at their school?

Consequently, many of our young people are very angry. In order to numb the anger they are feeling inside some of them choose to hurt themselves. There are many young people who are cutting themselves today. It’s a way for them to focus on something other than the pain they are feeling inside.

Also, many young people are having thoughts of going further than just cutting themselves. Some have made one or more attempts to end their own lives. Many have succeeded in leaving this world behind while others will make more attempts to leave.

Our precious children find heinous ways to deal with their inner anger. I received a message about an animal cruelty incident in Parmelee recently. Someone had wrapped up a dog in a plastic bag and covered a cat with duct tape. Children who do things like this to animals are emotionally disturbed. They grow up to be emotionally disturbed adults.

A handful of adults actually care about what happens to our young people. I hear a lot of people talking but see hardly anyone doing. Many of the tribal programs which are funded to help our youth have a better life are just empty programs. You might see their program listed on the poster of an event sponsored by another entity which is as far as their involvement goes.

A parent recently approached me to vent her frustration at the lack of coordination between the numerous programs funded with millions of dollars meant for our youth. She also told me about pictures on her daughter’s cell phone. Our young people are texting pictures of themselves to one another to show the severity of the cuts they inflict upon themselves.

Parents: your teenager needs you. If you are all wrapped up in your addictions please know that your children will be better off when you start tending to their needs.

Angry children grow up into raging adults who do more than cut themselves. At some point animal cruelty evolves into assaulting humans. Your child’s unresolved anger can even lead them straight into prison.

The future of the Lakota depends upon the children.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is not taking care of business.

The tribal council is the governing body which is responsible for ensuring that tribal operations are being conducted properly.

Yet, how can business be conducted when meeting after meeting is either being cancelled or fails to reach or maintain a quorum?

Word is that many tribal programs are scrambling to hand carry petition resolutions around to gather tribal council representative signatures in order for business to carry on.

Petition resolutions are an extremely poor way to run a tribe.

The tribal chairman has cancelled numerous meetings for a variety of reasons. Of course, it is within his authority to cancel as many meetings as he pleases.

Still, when tribal programs and day-to-day operations begin to suffer because the governing body is not tending to business — we would do well to demand our tribal council representatives to get their collective you-know-what in gear.

Tribal officials belong in the council chambers tending to the business we elected them to take care of for the people.

Consequently, tribal members should know that all your elected representatives still get paid whether meetings are cancelled or not. The lack of a quorum to conduct business does not affect their paycheck. There is no such thing as leave without pay for your elected officials.

Furthermore, I fail to see why the tribal vice-chairman is not being allowed to preside over meetings when the tribal chairman is off on one of his many business trips. Tribal interests are supposedly being represented when the wayward chairman drives off the Rez or boards an airplane for DC.

There are no benefits which I can see offsetting all this money being spent on travel by those people whom we elected to office.  

Another question which many of us have asked is this — where are the tribal council representatives during all of these cancellations? Many of us listen to them complain about how many meetings are called off. We hear them bemoan about how they cannot get anything done.

A lot is being blamed on the wayward tribal chairman.

Yet, being the elected representatives that they are, it seems as though they could get past the blame game. The tribal chairman is only one person.

Would the governing body please take the initiative to voluntarily gather at the tribal council chambers to request a meeting be conducted by the vice-chairman?

Please stop making excuses.

Please stop blaming one another for cancellations.

The tribal membership needs business to be taken care of. Now. Today. You can consider this a directive to have as much meetings as it takes to finish up all of the tribal business which has been neglected for so very long.

Real leaders will stop blaming a wayward tribal chairman.

Real leaders won’t give excuses.

Real leaders won’t offer a myriad of complaints justifying how their hands are tied.

Real leaders will step up and get the job done.

Now.

Michiyo Ohoka (Olowan Waste Win) was born in Osaka Japan to Sueo and Masayo Tani. Her grandfather was a Buddhist monk and was the caretaker of a temple. She grew up practicing the traditional fire ceremonies of her ancestors and when she was introduced to the Native American practice of the sweat lodge it resonated very deeply with her and felt closely akin to the spiritual practices that she grew up with.

Michiyo tended fire for seven years in Japan before coming to the United States in 2001 to embark upon a vision quest under the late Chief Phil Crazy Bull and participate in the Sundance. She would return several times over the next few years before relocating to the United States permanently in 2004.

Michiyo spent the last 12 years traveling the country, supporting Sundances, sweat lodges, the Native American Church and other traditional ceremonies. Michiyo was a phenomenal singer and she dedicated her life to sharing her gift of song with the world. She also was a cedar woman and offered spiritual food to the Tree of Life at the Paradise Sundance on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. She also loved the traditional art of porcupine quill work. Her jewelry and other pieces were superb examples of the ceremonial art form.

In July of 2013 Michiyo was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy in Albuquerque, NM. Throughout the difficult treatment, Michiyo remained positive and vibrant. She never held any regrets about the life she chose and she was always resolved to live her life fully in each moment, making the most out of every situation that life had to offer. Her undying passion for life, in all its glory and struggle, was a testament to the strength of her spirit. Michiyo was committed to living a life of integrity and service. She embodied the principle of unconditional love, with an innocence and purity of heart that never went unnoticed. Through her living example Michiyo enriched the lives of everyone who was lucky enough to have met her. She is survived by her parent, Sueo and Masayo, her brother Masaaki, her son Cocoro and her special friend Tsuyoshi.

A one night wake was held at the St. Francis Community Center on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Cremains were interred at the Clearwater Cemetery in Crazy Horse Canyon not far from the Paradise Sundance grounds.

Chief Marvin Swallow and Chief Leonard Crow Dog officiated memorial services.

Mitakuye Oyasin.

First, I want to offer my condolences to the families of Ben Clifford Jr. and Calvin Kills In Water, Jr.

Ben was a Grandpa. Calvin was a Dad. Each came from a large extended family and many relatives mourn their premature passing.

The violent murders of an elder and a young man are tragic. Many of us wonder if the way their lives were taken could have been prevented.

Accused murderers BillyRay and Riley McCloskey are brothers. Both are in their early 20’s which is normally a time we look forward to a life full of promise. These young men now sit in a federal jail awaiting trial for second-degree murder.

36 year old Crystal Red Hawk helped the McCloskey brothers try to cover up their crime. She is also in federal custody awaiting trial on accessory after the fact.

The federal justice system is predicable. The accused will remain in custody until their scheduled trial date of March 11, 2014. I sincerely hope they are not released on third party bond. I would not feel safe if any of them were to return to the Rez.

All three will be appointed an attorney, who will visit them in jail to discuss their case. At some point the government will offer a plea bargain. The appointed attorney will go over those documents and will most likely advocate for the accused to accept the plea bargain. 

Most tribal people indicted for a federal crime will accept the deal offered and enter a guilty plea to their charges. This might result in a lighter sentence than if they had gone to trial and been found guilty.

Second degree murder cases are not ones which will put someone away for life. Even when a defendant goes to trial and is found guilty the sentence could be anywhere from 10-20 years, depending on sentencing guidelines.

Ben Clifford, Jr. was 76 years old. Calvin Kills In Water was 33 years old. Perhaps a jail term of 109 years, without the possibility of parole, is a fair exchange for their deaths.

Yet, Calvin left behind small children who will grow up deprived of their father. Ben’s wife is now a widow. It isn’t fair to them. Many lives were changed. Forever.

A plea bargain will most likely see these people be released from jail at some point. Most of tribal members who serve time usually wind up coming home to the Rez.

Personally, I would be in favor of establishing banishment laws on the Rosebud Reservation. Violent murderers should not be able to live on our homelands. Our young people and elders deserve to be safe on their own Rez.

Yet, even if we advocated for our tribal government to enact banishment laws against our own tribal members, where would they go upon being released from jail? They have to go somewhere. Other people will be at risk from convicted murderers living nearby.  

A violent mind often sets violence into motion. No matter where they live.

I have many people who will inform me about what is happening around them. I appreciate the information they provide because it gives me something to think about. When I think about something long enough, I usually put it to words here to share with all of you.

When we hear the word bully, many of us tend to visualize a mean kid at a local school who will strong-arm other students into getting what he/she wants. We have to stop stereotyping our school children as the major bully figures because we have adults with much worse behavior.

Bullying is a learned behavior. The mean kid on the playground learned how to be mean from someone, right? Most of his or her actions can be traced back to a specific adult. And it might not be a parent.

We all know of at least one adult bully. On the Rez they are really prevalent. Many have developed excellent intimidation skills over the years. They are used to getting their way, even if it means acting violently in order to do so.

The bully is also in the workplace. Whether you are employed with the tribe, the federal government, a local school or a private company, you will most likely witness some form of the bully in your workplace.

Is it a bullying tactic to manipulate someone? I believe it is, especially when the one manipulating is doing it for some sort of personal gain. I saw this behavior in a workplace recently where some employees manipulate their co-workers and the system for financial gain. That’s an example of a corrupt system, which might be addressed in a future column.

The 1934 Indian Reorganization Act created the modern day tribal governments, which are patterned after the other political systems. Tribal governments consist of constitutional officers and tribal council representatives; along with an array of committees, commissions, boards and a treaty council. Most members are elected while several are appointed to these bodies.

These are the people who make decisions affecting all of us living on the Rez. Our lives could be changed by one simple motion. Or not. And the people who get their way on these councils, boards and commissions often resort to their bully skills to get what they want. Especially where it concerns money.

Many of those who sit on these councils, committees, boards or commissions receive a stipend for attending meetings. Or there might be travel money involved. In any case, money always seems to bring out the bully tactics of these so-called officials.

It’s not right to bully people into tears to get your way. Real Lakota leaders do not operate that way. The staff are there to help, not for you to pick on because your check isn’t ready.

On the other hand, sometimes the only way to get a bully to back off from you is to bully them right back. All of a sudden they are the victim!

A vicious cycle for sure.

PARMELEE, SD – The closure of a local youth club is being proposed after officials received several allegations against the Site Director, who was suspended and is being recommended for termination.

Lisa Shott has been employed as the Parmelee Site Director for over six years. She was emailed a memorandum informing her of an administrative action resulting in her “suspension from the Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud as the Site Director of the Parmelee site, effective immediately, pending board approval of termination from the site.”

The memorandum is dated January 2, 2014 and signed by Chief Professional Officer (CPO) Tori Whipple along with Chief Volunteer Officer (CVO) Burdette Clifford. Several alleged complaints are listed as reasons for the suspension. Yet, according to the document the “complaints have not been put in writing.”

Ms. Shott was recently elected President of the Parmelee Community. One complaint alleges that she is “doing Parmelee community activities.” The memorandum also states her time should “not be spent doing things for the Parmelee community.” She denies doing community work while on the job at the youth center.

The Parmelee Boys and Girls Club also has an Advisory Board. This body is in place to make recommendations to the Board of Directors which oversees three club sites on the Rosebud Reservation. Special meeting minutes of the Parmelee Advisory Board reflect an approved motion to “oppose administrative action proposed by Tori Whipple and Burdette Clifford on the suspension and termination of Lisa Shott.”

The minutes of the local advisory board also show an approved motion to hold a grievance hearing for Ms. Shott. Yet, the Employee Manual of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rosebud does not have language affording their employees any type of due process.

“The decision is final,” stated Tracy Harrison, referring to the suspension and termination. She spoke at a public forum held in Parmelee last week. Harrison is a physician assistant at Rosebud Hospital and was appointed to serve on the Board as the Parmelee area representative.

Several other people also spoke at the public forum which was held to address the issues the local site is now facing. Other Board members who attended the forum included Burdette Clifford, Lois Antoine, Naomi Good Shield, Leo Campbell, Dion Reynolds, Dr. Gail Mason and Marianne DeCora. They heard Parmelee residents speak to activities and staff at the youth center.

“The rules and regulations are so vague they can be taken one way or another, the Boys and Girls Club is here to build the community,” stated tribal legal advocate O.J. Semans, who also spoke at the public forum. “The fact that management can make decisions like this is wrong and the Board is saying they support this without listening to one community member.”

“There are kids from the community who were told to leave the building,” stated Lila Young.

The site serves at least 75 families and has 132 enrolled children. Furthermore, the memorandum addressed to Ms. Shott states the site is being recommended for closure. 

 “My grandkids come here and I never was told about them being asked to leave,” stated Carmen White Horse. “Where else are our kids going to go?”

“Some of the adults will not allow their children to come here but they sneak in anyway,” George Guerue said.

Another meeting will be held between the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors and the Parmelee Advisory Board on January 28 to further discuss the concerns. Ms. Shott informed the community the site would remain open and she would be volunteering her services until issues were resolved.

A young girl stood up at the end of the meeting and asked “Can we have our Lisa back?”

ROSEBUD, SD – The manufacture and use of the illegal drug methamphetamine, or meth, is still a very real problem on the Rosebud Reservation, according to tribal officials.

Meth is a synthetic, man-made drug which affects the central nervous system. Users can smoke, snort or inject methamphetamine. www.methproject.org

When a meth user first gets high, the rest of their time is spent chasing the feeling they got from that first high.

“No matter how bad you feel, you can feel good for several hours after doing meth,” stated Rich Winter who spoke at a recent meeting of the Community President’s Association. He admits to being a former addict. “Your whole life can disappear quickly. It is a mental screw up. I don’t know anyone who was on meth who didn’t fall from their current status.”

When someone is using meth “I can tell,” stated Lori Walking Eagle. She is the Youth and Family Specialist for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Meth Initiative. “I can see it in their aura and facial expressions. I want to give hope. We need some hope out there. People need to know that they can stop.”

She also mentioned the fact that meth users emit a distinct stench. Meth users will have a chemical smell coming off their body either while they are using or after.

According to Walking Eagle, some young people in their early twenties incarcerated in the Rosebud Jail recently admitted to being meth users. One said that his relatives called him a “meth head.” He had a job, an apartment and some nice material possessions. Yet, his meth use caused his life to quickly spiral downward. All of his money was soon being spent on meth. He pawned all of his things and finally began robbing homes to sell stolen goods in order to buy more drugs.

There is also speculation that the group of people who murdered a young man and an elder south of St. Francis on Christmas Eve were high on meth.

When she was initially hired, Walking Eagle stated she saw only a few official reports about meth on Rosebud, yet the information coming from the streets told a different story. The word was that young people were coming from Mission to St. Francis to do meth. Most people are afraid to talk about the problem.

“I want whatever we do to complement whatever the federal agents are doing,” she said. “Law enforcement have to have certain elements in order to build a case, which might include surveillance and interviews. People who test positive for meth risk a felony indictment.”

The problem with obtaining accurate numbers about the number of users are due to several factors. For instance, the symptoms of meth use or withdrawal mirror those of mental illness. Emergency room visits by addicts who are in withdrawal will report depression or they may be suicidal or even homicidal. Medical staff may treat them for mental illness because a drug screen might show up negative due to the substance leaving their system quickly.

Most reports of meth use in the local area come from the larger communities of St. Francis, Antelope and Rosebud. There are also reports of meth being made in mobile units as they are driving onto the reservation from Nebraska.

One goal of the RST Meth Initiative is to create a video of local tribal members who admit to being meth addicts. This is one way to make the problem more real for our people.

If you know of someone who you suspect is using or making meth, you can fill out a Suspicious Activity Reporting Form. This form can be submitted anonymously to authorities. The form is not limited to reports about meth. You can report other suspected drug use also.

Other staff members of the RST Meth Initiative include Kevin Swalley, Sr. and Jordan Rahn.

For more information you may call Lori Walking Eagle at (605) 856-8743.