Rosebud is without a Chief of Police (again)

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is without a Chief of Police. A motion excerpt issued by Tribal Secretary Linda Marshall and addressed to President Rodney Bordeaux states in part that the tribal council voted on May 30, 2012 “to terminate the Chief of Police for lack of leadership and that the police department have a review done and that the Police Commission/Judiciary Committee start the process of restructuring.” The motion was made by Steve Denoyer, Jr. and seconded by Tony Metcalf with the question by Lenard Wright.

 

In a roll call vote the motion was approved by a vote of eight (8) for, four (4) against, four (4) abstaining and four (4) absent. Voting in favor of termination were Opal Larvie Maxey, Arlene Black Bear, Steve Denoyer, Jr., Robert Shot With Two Arrows, Lenard Wright, Pam Kills In Water, Delano Clairmont and Tony Metcalf.

 

Voting against termination were Todd Bear Shield, Willie Bear Shield, Patricia Douville and John Swift. Abstaining from voting were Russell Eagle Bear, Lydia Whirlwind Soldier, Royal Yellow Hawk and Charlie Spotted Tail. Absent were Scott Herman, Webster Two Hawk, Sr., Gabriel Medicine Eagle and Kathleen High Pipe.

 

Prior to the vote several tribal members were allowed to verbally air their grievances against the Chief of Police Grace Her Many Horses and the police department in general. However, Her Many Horses did not get to speak on her own behalf before the tribal council voted to terminate her.

 

The issue of the termination was again brought up on the tribal council floor on June 7 even though the personnel action had apparently already been signed by President Bordeaux. Once again, several tribal members were allowed to publicly state their opinion about the police department during the meeting.

 

At the June 7 meeting, Ms. Her Many Horses stated she had not been officially notified of the action taken by the tribal council to terminate her employment. She has the option of filing a grievance within the timeframe specified in the RST Personnel Manual.

Cleaning up a big mess

There are many people all over the world who view the Lakota as humans who are still one with nature. In fact, many of us remain deeply connected with Mother Earth through ceremony. Also, most American Indian Tribes are viewed by many as environmentalists because of our connection to the land.

 

We are often called stewards of the Earth. I have read stories about how the American Indian people were designated as the original caretakers of Mother Earth. Many elders have also stated that our role is to protect Mother Earth.

 

Still, as we drive through our own homelands it often does not appear that we are the environmental stewards that people say we are. We have big problems disposing of our trash. It really doesn’t matter what reservation you drive through either because many have the same issues with trash disposal.

 

Here on the Rosebud you can drive around and see where people have tossed out their bags of trash along the highway. And now we have illegal dump sites which make the problem much worse.

 

Every spring on my rez there is an annual clean up. This clean-up usually starts in April to coincide with Earth Day. It is the time of year when we are all supposed to work together to clear all the debris which accumulated during the fall and winter. It is also the time of year when I see tribal entities, community members and tribal officials squabble over who is doing what.

 

It seems that the annual clean-up, along with many other activities on most reservations all across Indian Country, always stirs up that proverbial bucket of crabs. When you work to do something good, there will always be those people who are never satisfied.

 

For instance, some will not be satisfied with who is organizing the clean-up. Others are not satisfied with where the trash is piled before it is hauled away to the landfill. And still others won’t be satisfied with the color of the trash bags. I guess you can’t please everyone.

 

Most of us who live on the rez know about the crabs in that proverbial bucket. Still, let me remind you of who they are. They complain about most everything which happens on the homelands. No matter what is being done to improve the community it will never be good enough for them.

 

Also, some of them drive around in the community, brazenly stalking the people who are trying to make a positive difference. They gather in their little cliques and verbally condemn everyone involved. These are the Lakota people who are the role models I do not want my takoja to imitate.

 

When we all work to keep our own yard and surrounding areas free of debris there will be no reason to bicker over who is or who is not involved in the clean-up. There will be no more complaining about all the trash lying around. Right?

 

Still, I know many people who have a lot to say about all the garbage lying in the ditches, in the streets and in private yards. Many are hypocrites because they will complain about it all the while continuing to throw their beer bottles, candy wrappers and soda cans out of their car windows.

 

Also, there is always a limited amount of dollars available to pay for solid waste removal. Recently, I listened to discussion at a meeting about allowing tribal members who are sitting in jail to work with the solid waste program on my rez. For instance, people who still owe an outstanding fine to the tribal court are provided with an opportunity to help with the reservation wide clean up. There is no money involved, it is all in-kind work. For every day the tribal member works with solid waste, he or she gets a portion of their fine reduced.

 

Of course, there are tribal members who will not be satisfied with who gets the credit for creating a project which allows people sitting in jail to work with solid waste in lieu of making cash payments on their court fines. Like I said, clean-up always stirs that proverbial bucket. To me, it doesn’t matter who thought about using tribal members who are sitting in jail to help with the clearing of debris. What matters to me is a reservation clear of unsightly trash.

 

I appreciate a clean community. Everyone is quick to blame solid waste for all the trash blowing around. Still, if we would all be a bit more careful with our rubbish we might find there is no longer a problem. Simply picking up can make a huge difference.

 

And it seems as though the trash problem is always magnified in our larger communities. Here on the Rosebud Rez, we have at least four big communities. They are Antelope, Rosebud, Parmelee and St. Francis. These are the areas which have the most residents.

 

Some of the debris in these big communities has been lying around for years and years. Burned out houses quickly became permanent piles of charred junk. They have always been an eyesore. It takes a lot of work to clear out an area where a house fire occurred.

 

In the last few weeks several residents of St. Francis Community worked very hard to beautify their district. They cleaned up piles of trash and debris which had been sitting for a very long time. They also cleared at least five abandoned lots which were sites of house fires.

 

I know both Rosebud and St. Francis paid daily cash stipends to community members who helped with the clean-up. Many used their own vehicles to haul garbage to the landfill, which is a 90 mile roundtrip. I commend everyone who had a hand in cleaning up the homelands. I also appreciate the tribal programs which assisted with finances to buy gas and pay day labor to those who volunteered to clean up everyone’s mess.

 

Thank you!

Rosebud gears up for summer elections

ROSEBUD, SD – Seventy (70) Rosebud Sioux Tribal members have filed affidavits seeking election to the governing body. Positions available include both the tribal president and vice-president jobs along with ten (10) tribal council representatives. All candidates must meet residency, blood quantum and age requirements before being placed on the ballot. Candidates must also pass a criminal background check.

 

Qualified voters have a right to challenge the eligibility of a candidate by filing a sworn written statement setting forth the grounds for ineligibility no later than Friday, June 8, 2012 at 1pm. A fee of $50 must be paid to the RST Treasurer’s office and the receipt should accompany any challenge documents.

 

All challenges will be reviewed by the RST Election Board. If the Board determines the candidate is not eligible for office, a hearing will be set and public notice given. The Board’s decision on the eligibility of a candidate is final. See RST Ordinance 86-10 which contains the Tribal Election Code.

 

Fourteen (14) tribal members filed affidavits for the top positions in tribal administration. They include Tribal President Candidates: Lenard “Shadow” Wright, Cyril Scott, Edward Edd Charging Elk, Reg “Reggie” Little Thunder, Rodney M. Bordeaux (incumbent), Kenneth Night Pipe, Valerie Crazy Bull, Lynda “Mona” Douville and Gabriel A. Medicine Eagle.

 

Also, Vice-president Candidates: William “Willie” Kindle (incumbent), Sherman D. Wright, Claudette C. Arcoren, Lois D. Antoine and Oliver J. Semans.

 

In addition, there were fifty-six (56) affidavits filed for ten (10) tribal council positions. The winning candidate will serve a three (3) year term. Tribal members who filed for the election are listed in the following paragraphs.

 

Antelope: Scott O. Herman (incumbent), Louis Moran III, Emil P. Wilson, Shannon M. Shaw-Brill, James R. Leader Charge, Glen Yellow Eagle, Shawn Bordeaux, Calvin “Hawkeye” Waln, Jr., Trent Poignee and Dolores R. Barron.

 

Ring Thunder: Patricia Douville (incumbent), Rose Stenstrom, Martha Blue Thunder, Raine K. Eagle Cloud and Alvin Bear Heels.

 

St. Francis: Bonnie J. Hairy Shirt, Dean Yellow Hawk, Anthony Bordeaux, Jr., Joe Ford, Michael Boltz, Sr., John Swift (incumbent), Darleen Black Spotted Horse, John C. Arcoren and Patsy Valandra.

 

Swift Bear: Delano Clairmont (incumbent), Robert Becker, Harold Medicine Bear and Alvin Bettelyoun, Sr.

 

Horse Creek: Fremont Fallis, Webster Two Hawk, Sr. (incumbent), Roger A. Moran, Christine M. Arrow and Craig Marshall.

 

He Dog: Royal Yellow Hawk (incumbent), Floyd Lafferty, Mary Waln, Salina Whipple and Janet Wilcox.

 

Rosebud: Floyd Reynolds, Troy Lynn Peneaux, Sarah Reynolds, Leana M. Long, Richard Lunderman, Kenneth LaDeaux, Ronald D. “Jock” Gassman, Steve Leader Charge, David C. Reddest, Stephanie C. Sully and Neal T. Kramer.

 

Upper Cut Meat: Fred Whirlwind, Philimon D. Two Eagle, Kathleen High Pipe (incumbent), and Calvin Two Eagle.

 

Corn Creek: Arlene (Old Lodge) Black Bear and Brian Hart.

 

Bull Creek: Todd Bear Shield.

 

A reservation wide primary election is scheduled for Thursday, July 26, 2012. The top two vote getters will advance to the General Election on Thursday, August 23, 2012. Qualified tribal members who have registered to vote will have the opportunity to cast their vote to select a president, vice president and all ten (10) tribal council representatives.

 

For more information please call the Election Board at (605) 856-2373. Their office is located on Main Street in Mission, just south of the City office in the building which formerly housed the Mission Medical Clinic.

Are we really that gullible?

One of the most valuable tools of a writer is a dictionary. When I was a college student I carried a dictionary with me to class. I used to page through that heavy red book on a daily basis.

 

Times sure have changed. I still look up words every day, but now I can do so by simply clicking on a link and typing in the word I need to find. You are never too old to expand your vocabulary.

 

One of the words I looked up in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary this week was “manipulate.” There are several definitions for manipulate. For me, the connotations this word brings immediately to mind are “to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one’s own advantage” or “to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one’s purpose.”

 

Are you someone who manipulates other people to get what you want? Personally, I know many people who are very good at manipulating others. I do not view manipulators as credible people. The skillful manipulator is basically an untrustworthy person. When you are really good at constantly manipulating other people to get your way you lack integrity, in my opinion. Like the preceding definition says, manipulation is used to gain something unfairly.

 

One way to manipulate people is by withholding or distorting the truth. There are many people who twist the facts of a situation in order for things to go their way. This kind of manipulation happens when someone who wants to deceive purposely leaves out vital information when giving an account of events. Or they will change their story depending on who is listening. Remember folks, manipulators have no scruples and they are usually pathological liars!

 

Deep down, those of you who manipulate your way through life are probably very unhappy. It takes a lot of energy to work on other people just to get your way. I would rather have other people decide for themselves regarding issues which I am passionate about. I made a personal effort to stop manipulating people a long time ago. Sure we all want others to support the same things we do but life isn’t always about everyone else wanting what we desire. We are all individuals with our own free will.

 

In addition, organizations often suffer from the covert tactics used by a manipulator. When manipulation occurs within an organization, it compromises the integrity of the entire workplace. Oftentimes when an employee is terminated from their job, they will seek retaliation by manipulating the upper echelons in order to harm other people who work in the organization.

 

Even worse are those people who manipulate a situation, then vehemently deny having anything to do with it because they seek to deceive everyone. When you catch them in a deceitful act, they will try to blame someone else. They will say anything necessary to convince you that it is another co-worker or a supervisor who has distorted the situation when in reality it is the manipulator him or herself doing it.

 

Thankfully, human beings can evolve. When you make an effort to stop manipulating people, you will become transparent. Hidden agendas are no longer needed. Your experience as a reformed manipulator often gives you the insight to spot another who works to deceive others. When you become transparent it is very easy to see manipulators for who they really are.

 

I asked my friends on Facebook what thoughts came to mind with the word manipulator. Most of the comments I received focused on the negative things manipulative people do on a regular basis. The word manipulate usually reminds people of situations in the past where they were influenced by someone who wanted to get their way and would stop at nothing to do so.

 

It was very interesting when one Facebook commentator brought up the issue of how our ancestors were manipulated.   For instance, during the 19th century our Itancan gathered with agents of the federal government to negotiate treaties. The representatives who traveled to Lakota Territory on behalf of the great white father carried his hidden agenda with them. They manipulated our ancestors with lies in order to get signatures on a treaty which, over the last 161 years or so, was violated many times, leaving us with our contemporary checkerboard reservations.

 

Our ancestors were tricked by representatives of the federal government and we are still living under the effects of that deception. Sadly, we now see our own Lakota people doing the same thing to each other! Many of the people living on my own Rosebud Reservation work non-stop to manipulate others. They manipulate spouses, family members, co-workers, elected leaders and tribal officials on a daily basis.

 

How sad that many Lakota people are getting things to go their way using dishonest tactics. It just isn’t right. This behavior will trickle down to our descendants. We must make a personal, conscious choice to change. That is, if you show your children how to manipulate the system or other people, chances are they will grow up doing the same thing you are.

 

When we work to manipulate others to get something “by artful, unfair, or insidious means” we are being deceitful. Again, our children learn what we show them. When they are adults they will behave just like we showed them to. I think it is sad to see a majority of Lakota people passing down the traits of manipulation and deception to the coming generations.

 

If manipulation, deception, dishonesty and unfair tactics are what I am going to teach my descendants to carry on for me, I am really no better than the representatives of the federal government who deceived our ancestors into signing those treaties which were broken many times. We have to stop manipulating one another for the sake of our children. We desperately need role models who act with the same integrity as our Lakota ancestors.

 

The more things change, the more they stay the same

Education is a key. I was taught to believe that when you work hard to finish school you are setting yourself up for success. Many families and teachers encourage students to stay in school to lay a foundation for a better future. In today’s modern society, education is very important. Jobs are very hard to find, especially on the reservation. But if you were to venture off the reservation to seek employment it would be very hard, if not impossible, to find work when you are uneducated. Most employers require the minimum of a high school education or equivalent at the very least.

 

But when you live on an Indian Reservation sometimes education doesn’t really count for much. We hear our elected tribal leaders encourage the young people to stay in school and make something of themselves. Oftentimes, this is actually lip service. Politicians always sound good when they are encouraging the young people to continue their education.

 

We are all role models whether we want to be or not. What kind of role model are you? Are you for real? In asking that question I simply want to know if you walk your talk. Many people in positions of power on our Indian Reservations are high school graduates and some are high school drop outs. Only a handful of our people who work for our tribe have earned a college degree and even less have an advanced degree. We need more educated people to step into elected positions and the positions of power in our tribes. Don’t we?

 

With a tribal college located on our reservation there is no excuse not to earn a college degree. But as we all know, there are many people nowadays already know everything. They don’t need to go to school to expand their minds. Furthermore, some of these people are in positions of great power. They can change your life or the situation on our rez simply by raising their hand in a vote.

 

I have learned it doesn’t matter if you have a college degree on the rez. You can apply and be hired for a tribal director job with only a high school education. Furthermore, you do not even need to have a high school diploma or equivalent to run for office as a member of the tribe. You simply must meet the age, residency, along with tribal blood quantum requirements and be able to pass a criminal background check. That’s it. You do not need to have a high school diploma to run for tribal president, vice president, secretary, treasurer or council representative.

 

And when you are elected to a tribal position of power you might find that your false sense of power takes you to places where you should not be. Tribal council representatives are supposed to be legislators. This means they are elected to make laws and/or approve policy for our tribe. Still, I have seen many times where my tribal governing body gets involved in affairs in which they already have departments set up to manage.

 

One area where I see the governing body regularly jump into without hesitation is personnel. I have seen tribal director jobs where qualified, educated tribal members have applied and gone through the selection process which often includes an interview. But when it comes down to hiring the best qualified, educated candidate it inevitably turns into a popularity contest where the names of candidates are written on a dry-erase board and each member votes by secret ballot to select whomever they want. Never mind education, never mind the best qualified, educated candidate – it all boils down to popularity. The applicant with the most votes wins. And it all depends on who you know on tribal council.

 

So if you have a college or advanced degree it doesn’t always mean you will be selected for a position; even if you are the most qualified for the job. And when you are selected you might find that you will have to watch your back because the members of the governing body who did not want you in that position in the first place will work very, very hard to get rid of you. Furthermore, if they have a family member, spouse or other relatives who do not like you they may also work to get you terminated from your job.

 

This is my observation of how my tribe operates. I know there are many other tribal members from other reservations who will agree with everything I have written here. Some have watched their tribal governments violate the civil rights of their own members when it comes to employment or other areas, such as tribal members duly elected to positions on local boards, committees or commissions. The system we all call tribal government does not work on behalf of all the people it is supposed to serve.

 

Also, if you are a tribal director and you exercise your right as the person in charge to terminate an employee under you, you may also find yourself terminated by the tribal council. I think it is wrong for a few members of my tribal council to make a motion to terminate someone just like that. But who am I to judge what they do, I am just a common tribal member.

 

So, it doesn’t matter if you have an education when it comes to working for most tribes in this country. If you cross the wrong family, especially those who may have relatives or in laws sitting on the tribal council, you risk losing your job. It’s as simple as that. Never mind that you were doing a fantastic job or that you were the most qualified and educated candidate initially hired. If they cannot pull you down the crabs in that proverbial bucket will start snapping their claws together to make a big ruckus, which will often influence your elected leaders into making decisions that aren’t completely thought out. Some votes are cast to simply stop the noise, in my opinion.

 

Maybe I should stop encouraging young people to get a college degree and come back to work for the tribe so they can help their people. I will instead encourage them to get a college education and apply that knowledge to a job they love, instead of a job where they risk being fired at the whim of the tribal council. Who needs that kind of stress?

 

A tribal council which flip-flops on decision making shows a real lack of leadership. But reconsideration and rescinding are a reality I’ve seen many times in the tribal council chamber. So if you don’t like a decision made at one meeting, chances are you will see it reversed at the very next meeting, which is a huge waste of everyone’s time.

 

Be sure to vote in the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Primary Election on July 26, 2012 and the General Election on August 23, 2012. I won’t say vote for change because the more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

Rosebud Sioux Tribe opens Auto & Tire Repair Shop

MISSION, SD – The Rosebud Sioux Tribe held a Grand Opening last week for their latest economic endeavor – Sicangu Auto Service. President Rodney Bordeaux was joined by Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) Director Wizipan Garriott and REDCO Board Chairman Shawn Bordeaux at a ribbon cutting on May 25.

 

A special thank you was offered to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and Chairman Stanley Crooks for the financial help they provided in getting this new business open for local residents. Over the last several years, the SMSC has generously provided many tribes in Indian Country with development grants for economic opportunities. The RST also provided funding to jumpstart this new endeavor.

 

Local residents who attended the Grand Opening were treated to a complimentary lunch, cake, soda, coffee and Lakota Water. Children received free balloons. Door prizes were also offered. The shop has a soda machine and coffee available on site. There are no immediate plans to add convenience store items.

 

Sicangu Auto Service will not sell gas. Instead, the new business has a large selection of new tires available for sale and if what you need is not in stock, they can order your tires to be delivered to the shop on Wednesday or Friday. There is a limited selection of used tires. Farm implement and bike tires can also be repaired or purchased. “If it’s round and has air it in we will try to fix it for you,” stated Store Manager Ken Gillaspie.

 

Along with tire repairs, Sicangu Auto Service will also offer wheel alignments, oil changes and other minor vehicle repairs. Technicians are John Allen and Cornell Menard, Jr. Wheel alignments and radiator or transmission flushes are available along with repairs to starters, alternators, brakes and shocks. Bulk oil deliveries to the store can also be arranged.

 

Wheel alignments start at $49.95. Tire repairs start at $10. A basic oil change for a car will cost you $38.95. A radiator flush is $49.95 and a transmission flush is $89.95. Custom wheels are also available for sale. Call for pricing on batteries and shocks. A self-service car wash and vacuum are also available.

 

Store hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday. Sicangu Auto Service also accepts pre-approved RST payroll deductions. Telephone number is (605) 856-2337.

Federal restraining orders on the Rez?

It seems to me that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was used as some kind of political football in Washington, DC.

 

YAY to all Senate lawmakers for approving S. 1925 which seeks to allow our local tribal courts to have jurisdiction over non-Indians who assault or otherwise harm their companions while living on an Indian Reservation.

 

BOO to all elected House lawmakers who approved H.R. 4970 which eliminated the provisions which would strengthen the ability of our local tribal courts to prosecute non-Indians who assault their domestic partners in Indian Country.

 

Anyway, so now there is a House version and a Senate version of the VAWA. I understand the next step is for everyone to come together and figure out what the final version is going to be. This might be a long process since they obviously cannot agree on what they want.

 

In the meantime, some of our people, women especially, are still not safe in their own homes on their own land. That is, if you are an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe living on your own reservation, you may find it very difficult to seek legal protection if you are married to or in a domestic relationship with a non-Indian who abuses you. The Rosebud Sioux Tribal Court does not have criminal jurisdiction against your non-Indian husband or wife. So, if he or she decides to physically assault you there is really nothing the tribal police or tribal court system can do.

 

The feds will not assume jurisdiction unless the case is an aggravated assault or a murder. Do we have to wait until someone is killed in a domestic violence assault before we can get protection against non-Indians living on our rez? Is that a question I should even ask?

 

Victims could call the County Sheriff but I doubt they would respond to a domestic violence call in Rosebud, even if the perpetrator is a non-Indian. Are you a victim of domestic abuse on the Rosebud Reservation at the hands of your non-Indian spouse or partner? Have you ever called the Todd County Sheriff for help? Email me to let me know if you did and how it turned out for you. I know there are couples living on my reservation right now where one is a tribal member and the other is a non-Indian. Criminal domestic violence incidents involving these couples will often fall through the cracks in law enforcement.

 

How do you feel about going to the federal courthouse in Pierre to file for a restraining order against your abusive non-Indian spouse or companion? Many of our people living on the reservations in South Dakota are in survival mode most of the time. Families struggle on a daily basis just to provide shelter and enough food.

 

Still, if you have no car or no job and you want to seek a protection order against your non-Indian spouse you may have to go to the feds in order to get one if Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD) gets her way. Here is an excerpt of what Rep. Noem had to say on May 16, 2012 regarding the vote on the Republican version of VAWA:

 

“House Republicans are not going to allow the Violence Against Women Act to get sidelined because of politics, it’s simply too important. One area of particular concern to people back home in South Dakota is provisions for Native Americans and Native American women. Native American women suffer from higher levels of abuse than non-Indian women but all too often they don’t get to see their perpetrators brought to justice. It’s simply unacceptable. This Violence Against Women Act improves upon many of the programs that are designed specifically to aid Native American Women. And it also includes new provisions to improve Congress’ response to potential problems they may run into. Furthermore, to better ensure that Native American women have improved recourse against abusive individuals, I worked with the Judiciary committee and the staff to include language in this bill to empower Native American women to either petition individually the federal courts or through their tribal courts for a federal restraining order. Insuring that these women have the ability to obtain a protection order is a vital step towards stopping the cycle of abuse that many of them suffer through. It impacts them disproportionally in Indian Country than it does in other areas of this nation. Those who have suffered from violence and abuse have gone through enough. Let’s not cause more harm by putting politics before victims and let’s support and reauthorize the improved Violence Against Women Act today.”

http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7fe1f74b-09c3-47f8-91e1-9c78c92e84ea

 

Have you ever heard of a “federal restraining order?” If we are going to have to start filing petitions for restraining orders in federal court it means we will have to travel long distances to do so. The nearest federal courthouse to residents of the Rosebud Reservation is in Pierre, SD; a 230 mile round trip from my home.

It’s hard for many to get to the tribal courthouse. Where will we get gas money to drive to Pierre to file for a “federal restraining order?”

 

Furthermore, I would like to see the number of federal law enforcement officers present on my reservation to decrease. Is it not enough that the major crimes are prosecuted at the federal level? Will we soon see more federal agents on Indian land enforcing restraining orders over non-Indians?

 

Rep. Kristi Noem is out of touch with how life really is on the Indian Reservations in the state she represents, in my opinion. She has absolutely no idea of what it’s like to be a battered Indian woman who is afraid for her life. How can she speak for us when she doesn’t have a clue about our reality?

 

On this Memorial Day, I remember all the Indian women who lost their lives on their own land at the lands of a violent non-Indian man.

Indian Law & Order Commission holds field hearing on Rosebud Reservation

MISSION, SD – The Indian Law and Order Commission (ILOC) conducted a field hearing last week on the Rosebud Reservation. Topics addressed included: High Priority Performance Goals (HPPG) in Indian Country, Juvenile Justice, Implementation of the TLOA, Jurisdiction, and Enhanced Sentencing under TLOA, also Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault and Stalking.

 

“Communities cannot arrest their way out of problems that threaten safety. Putting people behind bars does not strengthen communities, it takes away from them,” stated Rosebud Sioux Tribal President Rodney Bordeaux. “Yet, people must be held accountable for their actions and deterred from hurting others and this cannot be done without police presence. We are proud of the developments we have made to strengthen justice for our people but we still have a lot of work to do in making sure victims feel safe enough to report crimes. Our people need to believe police will respond when their lives or others’ lives are in danger.”

 

“People were able to feel safe,” said James Cerney, a Tribal Public Defender for who spoke about the effects of HPPG on the Standing Rock Reservation. The project “diminished levels that crime would reach, officers were able to arrive before fights escalated from simple assaults to aggravated assaults.”

 

“80% of Rosebud’s young people have attempted suicide, many have multiple attempts. 100% of the juveniles on our reservation have a friend or relative who has completed suicide,” said Miskoo Petite. He serves as the Facility Administrator for the Wanbli Wiconi Tipi (Juvenile Detention Center).

 

“Some young people complete treatment and come out with a positive sense but go back into the same environment,” Petite continued. “We usually see a spike in grades when the young people we serve have their basic needs met.”

 

“Rather than focus on incarceration we focused on education and included the day school,” said Children’s Court Judge Janel Sully. “When the youth come in they are sullen, angry and upset. They spend some time in the Green Entry program and in a matter of days they are smiling, happy and energetic.”

 

“There is a perception in Indian Country that the federal courts don’t prosecute as many cases as they could,” stated US Attorney Brendan Johnson. “But the number of federal cases prosecuted on Rosebud has grown over the last four years.” In 2008 there were 73 federal cases. 2009 saw 85 court cases prosecuted at the federal level. In 2010 there were 102 cases. There were 130 federal cases in 2011. These numbers indicate a 78% increase in federal prosecution.

 

“We have a human right to be safe in our communities,” stated JR LaPlante. He currently serves as South Dakota’s Secretary of Tribal Relations.

 

“I see enhanced sentencing as flexing the sovereignty muscles that we do have,” stated RST Attorney General Mato Standing High. “There needs to be criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians in Indian Country for domestic violence offenses.”

 

“There needs to be tougher prosecution against white collar crimes,” continued Standing High. “People don’t get prosecuted for these crimes. If we continue to let white collar crime slide, the people who are committing these acts will believe they will always be able to get away with it.”

 

“Grant based funding for the development and maintenance of tribal justice systems does not work, we need direct funding,” stated RST Prosecutor Matthew Rappold, who also serves as a Special Assistant US Attorney. “We have to have needs based, non-competitive funding to fund tribal justice systems.”

 

“The average Todd County School student misses 40 days per year,” stated RST Truancy Prosecutor Jamie Ayers. “So an 8th grade graduate actually only has a 5th grade education. Students are exposed to abuse, alcoholism, hunger, poverty, lack of transportation and violent crimes. Some have parents who are involved in gang activity. Some are being raised by grandparents or great-grandparents on fixed incomes.”

 

“We learn in law school that treaties are the supreme law of the land,” added Attorney General Standing High. “We are still talking about treaty promises that are not going to come through. We don’t have high arrest rates because of our people; we have high arrest rates because of the system.”

 

“There is no way of validating protection orders issued by our tribal court in other jurisdictions,” stated Nicole Witt who serves as Executive Director of the White Buffalo Calf Woman Society Shelter. “Why don’t we implement a national tribal protection order registry? This would enter a protection order into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) so local police officers can find out quickly it is valid.”

 

Faith Spotted Eagle spoke on behalf of the Brave Heart Society who traditionally “brought back the dead from the battlefield. Today they are bringing back the spirits of our people who have suffered layer upon layer of trauma. The United States is a post-conflict society and we have personalities that are essentially numb.”

 

In the past 14 years, the Brave Heart Society has helped 90 girls complete the Isnati ceremony on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. “The majority of those girls are doing better than their counterparts are,” stated Spotted Eagle. Cultural activities and ceremonies like the Isnati are one way of “healing traumatic events.”

 

“Child abuse and neglect are both forms of violence on the Rosebud Reservation,” stated Natalie Stites, Project Manager of the Defending Childhood Initiative. “At least two children per day are a victim of a crime. Our children and youth are incredibly vulnerable.”

 

The Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA), signed into law by President Obama last summer, created the ILOC, an independent, all-volunteer advisory group, to help with the challenges to securing equal justice for Native Americans living and working on Indian lands. TLOA directs the Commission to report back to the White House and Capitol Hill next year with specific proposals to make Indian Country safer and more just, so that Native Americans may finally receive the full protections guaranteed to all U.S. citizens by the Constitution.

 

Commissioners include: The Honorable Troy A Eid (Chairman), Affie Ellis, Tom Gede, Carole Goldberg, The Honorable Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, The Honorable Jefferson Keel, The Honorable Earl Raphy Pomeroy III, Theresa Pouley, Jeff Davis, Eileen M. Garry and Ted Quasula. For more information please visit: www.indianlawandordercommission.com