GRASS ROOTS OGLALA LAKOTA OYATE

Friday - August 25^th, 2000 - Pine Ridge, SD. Today marks the 222^nd day of the peaceful monitoring of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Administrative Building. The continuous struggle for accountability and the relinquishment of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) are the foremost priority of the Oglala Lakota Grass Roots Oyate.

Today, the local media flashed bold headlines of the federal arrests of nine Oglala Sioux Tribal members. Three of the nine arrested were Oglala Sioux Tribal Council representatives.

These federal arrests are the result of the massive investigation that is ongoing on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. More federal arrests are expected as the federal grand jury meets with the many federal entities involved.

Arrested were ex-Oglala Sioux Tribal chairman and CEO of the Oglala Sioux (Lakota) Housing Authority, Paul Iron Cloud; Oglala Sioux Tribal Council representatives Marlin "Moon" Weston and his wife/Evelyn; Gerald "Jump" Big Crow and his wife/Elizabeth "Jackie"; Manuel Fool Head and his wife/Sandy; Oglala Sioux (Lakota) Housing employee, Ted Pedregon and his wife/Ramona.

As a result of these arrests and the corruption surfacing, two of the candidates running for public office under the present IRA system have taken credit for the federal arrests and the peaceful monitoring of the Oyate Building.

• Suspended Oglala Sioux Tribal President, through local media, is quoted as saying he feels "vindicated" and stating, "I've been trying to cleanse the financial management history for many, many years." The reality of the matter is Harold Salway dishonored his people by allowing this havoc during the Salway-Between Lodges administration. Salway also stated he was aligned with the Grass Roots Oyate. The Grass Roots Oyate do not recognize nor do they support any 'IRA' official, especially Salway.
• On the other hand, Floyd Hand (who is a self-proclaimed medicine man and spiritual advisor) also took credit for the federal arrests and occupation of the Oyate building. After making a commitment under the Sacred Canunpa (Pipe) stating he will never ever run for public office, he has taken a petition to be a candidate for Vice-President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (another hypocrite). Floyd Hand is for Floyd Hand, not the people who he falsely states he represents (another forked tongue).

Many of the Grass Roots Oyate and supporters feel because of the current financial crisis, that those indicted in federal court should be immediately suspended from their public office or resign and relocate off the reservation. The Grass Roots Oyate feel that those indicted and convicted should not hold any position or employment with the Lakota Nation.

We, the Grass Roots Oyate, will continue to peacefully monitor the Oglala Sioux Tribe Administrative offices until Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs and the OST Council representatives are well on their way to the jail house rock and until our people are assured that an honest form of government will replace the IRA system that put us where we are today.

We, the Grass Roots Oyate, are strong spiritually and mentally; we will not allow corruption in any form. There are many Grass Roots Oyate who should be recognized and given credit where credit is due. We thank our brothers and sisters and our Uncis and KaKalas for their support with prayers, donations, food and participating in our struggles. We thank our brothers and sisters of the Great Lakota Nation, our brothers and sisters across Indian Country, our national and international supporters and supporters from all walks of life. Without you, justice would not have prevailed.

The Grass Roots Oyate are setting up a press conference on August 30^th, 2000 to answer any questions. For more information, please contact Dale Looks Twice, Media Coordinator for the Grass Roots Oyate, at 605-867-5821.