Today, as everyday, the "occupants" of the Red Cloud Tribal Building on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation began the new day with prayer under the sacred pipe.

This is the 9th day that the Grass Roots Oglala Lakota Oyate exercised their sovereign immunity rights under the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty by taking control of the Red Cloud Tribal Building. The sole purpose is to protect financial records from the corrupt Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs and members of the OST Tribal Council. Tribal Council mismanagement and mishandling of federally allocated funds have oppressed the people for years on this reservation.

According to the Oglala Sioux Tribal Constitution, the Tribal Council has the authority to remove the Treasurer pending a termination hearing. Since the first day of the peaceful monitoring of the tribal building, the demands have been consistent and straightforward. The first demand that is non-negotiable is the removal of Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs, Tribal Treasurer. To date, Jacobs has not honored his word to resign and the Tribal Council has not exercised their power to remove him. Consequently, there was a total "lock-down" on the Red Cloud Tribal Building today. Many employees did not return to work because they support the grassroots efforts, still others are in fear due to threats received from corrupt politicians.

In a meeting today with Robert Ecoffey, Bureau of Indian Affairs Agent and a mediator from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Grass Roots Oyate reiterated its position that mediation will not begin until the permanent removal of Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs. Mr. Ecoffey stated that, contrary to false rumors, there will be an independent A-133 audit of the Tribe's financial records at the expense of the BIA. The BIA has repeatedly downplayed its trust responsibility to the Tribe in the financial management of the BIA grants and contracts.

As of today, the OST Council remains in contempt of the tribal judge's order to appoint an assistant treasurer to carry out minimal day-to-day financial services for the Tribe. The Grass Roots Oyate maintains that the Tribal Council has had numerous opportunities to have vital services restored once the Tribal Treasurer is permanently removed from office. The "lock-down" will remain in force and mediation cannot commence until this demand is met.

The member reservations of the Tetuwan Oyate are Pine Ridge, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River, Standing Rock, Rosebud, Fort Peck, Crow Creek, Santee, and Canadian Sioux.

Leonard Peltier also gives his support for the occupation:

The LPDC [Leonard Peltier Defense Council] received a phone call from Rosalyn Jumping Bull yesterday. She is involved in the "take over" of the tribal office on Pine Ridge. She says that this move was led, for the most part, by elders and they are totally unarmed. She explained that the FEMA trailers which replaced the demolished homes of the recent tornado victims have very thin walls and are difficult to heat. As most of you know, winters on Pine Ridge are harsh, especially when people are not prepared. She said that they had been asking the council for help, but they refused. They said they had no funds. They want to know where the federal and casino monies are going and they want adequate living conditions to be provided to the people. I am asking you to support them in whatever way they request. They are planning to stay in the building until an audit of the tribal funds is obtained.

I am told that they need non-perishable food, phone cards, bottled water, blankets, and cigarettes to be sent to them. If you can help, please send support items to Rosalyn Jumping Bull at Box 207, Oglala, SD 57764.

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